Indian Century

SIKKIM: PLACES TO VISIT

Sandwiched between Nepal on the West, China on the North and East, Bhutan on the South East and West Bengal on the South, this small state is picturesque. The high mountain ranges of the Himalayas afford a dramatic back-drop to the peaceful setting of the state.

map

SIKKIM STATS:

Total Area:
Population (2011):
Capital City:
Literacy Rate (2011):
HDI:
Official Language(s):
Official Website:

NORTH:

Phodong Monastery

Mt. Kanchendzonga (8586m)

WEST:

Pemayangtse Monastery

Mt. Thrigchrikhang (5603 m)

Tsoka village

SOUTH

Enchey Monastery

SOUTH EAST:

Rumtek Monastery

SOUTH EAST: Cont. GANGTOK


	Research Institute of Tibetology

NORTH EAST:

yumthang

An Array of Orchids from Sikkim

Rhododendron, State Flower of Sikkim

FESTIVALS (by Dr. Venugopal Menon)

Sikkim’s majority Nepalese celebrate all Hindu festivals, while the major festivals are Buddhist celebrations, and the Muslims do so with Muharram and Eid ul-Fitr.

Losar:

(February or March)

The Tibetan New Year is celebrated by Sikkim as a Buddhist festival, that falls in February or March. Losar predates Buddhism and has its roots in a winter incense-burning custom of the Bon religion. During the ninth Tibetan king’s rule, it was merged with the harvest festival.

During the celebration, people go to a local spring to perform a ritual of gratitude and make offerings to the nagas. The event is a gesture of relating to the elements of nature, originated by sages, the concept being the sacred connection of the internal and external elements. The celebrations last 15 days, with Chinese, Tibetans, Mongols, and Indian traditions having influences.

Saga Dawa:

One of the most famous festivals of Sikkim, this is an event of Mahayana Buddhism, commemorating Lord Buddha’s birth, his attainment of enlightenment, and salvation from the corporeal world. This provides a visual treat of various religious ceremonies and street processions of the Buddhist culture.

STATE SYMBOLS: (COURTESY WIKIPEDIA)

State animal	Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
State bird	Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus)
State flower	Noble Dendrobium (Dendrobium nobile)
State tree	Rhododendron (Rhododendron niveum)
State Seal	Kham-sum-ongdu