3.  Sikkim i.e. the "Goodly Region", standard
Tibeten: is a landlocked Indian state
nestled in the Himalayas. The state
borders Nepal to the west, Tibet
Autonomous Region, People's Republic of
China to the north and east, and Bhutan
to the southeast. The state of West
Bengal borders Sikkim to its south.

4. The people of Sikkim are simple and
friendly with natural gaiety. The
customs and rituals of Sikkim are as
diverse as the ethnic that inhabit
the land. The predominant
communities are the LEPCHAS,
BHUTIAS, NEPALESE and smaller
proportions of LIMBUS.

6.  Legend has it that the Buddhist saint Guru
Rinpoche visited Sikkim in the 9th century,
introduced Buddhism .Indeed, the Namgyal
dynasty was established in 1642. Over the next
150 years, the kingdom witnessed frequent
raids and territorial losses to Nepalese
invaders. It allied itself with the British rulers of
India, but was soon annexed by them. Later,
Sikkim became a British protectorate, before
merging with India following a referendum in
1975.

8.  Sikkim has 11 official languages: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha
(since 1977), Limbu (since 1981), Newari, Rai, Gurung,
Mangar, Sherpa, Tamang (since 1995) and Sunwar
(since 1996). English is taught in schools and used in
government documents. Sikkim is the only state in
India with an ethnic Nepalese majority.The
predominant religions are Hinduism and Vajrayana
Buddhist. Gangtok is the capital and largest city.
Sikkim's economy is largely dependent on agriculture
and tourism, and the state has the fourth-smallest GDP
among Indian states, although it is also among the
fastest-growing.

9.  Literacy in Sikkim is 69.68%, which breaks down into 76.73%
for males and 61.46% for females.There are a total of 1157
schools, including 765 schools run by the State government, 7
central government schools and 385 private schools .Twelve
colleges and other institutions in Sikkim offer higher
education.The largest institution is the Sikkim Manipal
University of Technological Sciences, which offers higher
education in engineering, medicine and management. It also
runs a host of distance education programs in diverse fields.
There are two state-run polytechnical schools, Advanced
Technical Training Centre (ATTC) and Centre for Computers
and Communication Technology (CCCT) in Sikkim which offer
diploma courses in various branches of engineering.

10.  Common sports in Sikkim are
Football and cricket. Hang
gliding and river rafting have
also been introduced in order
to promote tourism.

11. Western rock music and Hindi
songs have gained wide
acceptance among the
Sikkimese. Indigenous Nepali
rock and Lepcha music are
also popular.

12.  The Sikkimese Nepalese celebrate all major Hindu
festivals such as Diwali and Dussera. Local festivals like
Maghe Sankranti and Bhimsen Puja are common. Losar,
Loosong, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen, Drupka Teshi
and Bhumchu are Buddhist festivals. During the Losar
(Tibetan NewYear) most offices and educational
institutions are closed for a week. Muslims celebrate
Id-ul-fitr and Muharram. Christmas has also been
promoted in Gangtok to attract tourists during the off-
season.

13.  The Sikkimese culture finds expression in it's beautiful
art and craft.Knotted woollen carpets with the
dominating dragon emblem,and eight auspicious signs;
wood carvings,Lepcha handlooms in traditional designs
and rich colours for clothes,bags, linen and accessories;
leather jackets and handbags,articles of homemade
paper,Thanka (religious scroll paintings) and Sikkimese
Dragon Jewellery make a fascinating collection of
handicrafts,inspired by an age old culture.The Gumpa
being performed in Lachung during the Buddhist festival
of Losar.

14.  Fog is a common feature in the entire state from May to
September.
Biting cold is experienced at higher altitudes of 10,000
ft plus.The temperature rarely rises above 15 degree
centigrade and heavy snowfall occurs during the
winter months. Some also receive snowfall during April
or mid-November.
1. Cold Weather Season: December February
2. Spring Season: March May
3. South-West Monsoon: June September
4. Period of retreating Monsoon: October November

16.  With around 600,000 permanent residents,
Sikkim is the least populous state in India and
the second-smallest state after Goa in total
area. Kangchenjunga, the world's third-
highest peak, is located on Sikkim's border
with Nepal. Sikkim is a popular tourist
destination, owing to its culture, scenery and
biodiversity. It also has the only open border
between India and China.

17.  West Sikkim (Pelling-Yuksom):- Pelling, a
small hamlet in western sikkim, offers fabulous
views of Kanchendzonga, lovely walking trails,
buddhist monasteries all within walking
distance of each other.
 Things to see and do:- Pemayangtse
Monastery, Rabdentse Ruins, Sanga-Choling,
Yuksom, Khecheopalri Lake,Tashing
Monastery, and Treks.
 When to go :- March through May, September
to November.

18.  North Sikkim:-North Sikkim, consisting of
northern and central parts of Sikkim, is the very
quintessence of natural beauty in Sikkim.
Numerous passes, valleys, waterfalls, springs,
and a variety of flowering plants all add to the
beauty of the region.
 Things to see and do :- Chungthang,
Lachung &Yumthang Valley, Zero Point, Lachen
& Gurudongmar Lake.
 When to go :- March through May,
September to November.

19.  Gangtok :- Gangtok ,capital of Sikkim, is an
ethnic melting pot with a mix of Tibetans,
Lepchas, Bhutias, and Nepalis. Brightly
colored buddhist monasteries dot the
landscape with inspiring views of the
Kanchendzonga in the background.
 Things to see and do :- The Ridge,
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Enchey
Gompa, Nathu la Pass and Changu Lake.
When to go :- April through May and October
(after the monsoons).

20. Khangchendzonga National Park
Khangchendzonga natoinal park was
inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list on July
17, 2016, becoming the first "Mixed Heritage" site of India.
Located at the heart of the Himalayan range in northern
India (State of Sikkim), the Khangchendzonga National Park
includes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers
and spectacular, snow-capped mountains covered with
ancient forests, including the world’s third highest peak,
Mount Khangchendzonga. Mythological stories are
associated with this mountain and with a great number of
natural elements (caves, rivers, lakes, etc.) that are the
object of worship by the indigenous people of Sikkim. The
sacred meanings of these stories and practices have been
integrated with Buddhist beliefs and constitute the basis for
Sikkimese identity.

21. Ashish Verma
Class :- BTM 1st
sem
Topic :- Sikkim