Located at the
lap of Himalayas, the small and beautiful state of Sikkim
abounds in nature, culture and adventure. It has the
unique distinction of being bounded by three sovereign
nations, Nepal in the west, Bhutan in the east and China's
Tibet in the north. It also shares its southern border
with the state of West Bengal. The state has a good
number of glaciers and some of the very important ones
are Zemu, Rathong, Lona in North Sikkim. The river Tista
is the lifeline of Sikkim and it originates from Lake
Cholamu. Its tributaries are Rangeet, Ramam and Rangpo.
Sikkim offers best buys for hand woven carpets, thankas
and other paintings. Other items typical of the state
and are large cardamoms, Lepcha weave bags, purses,
jewellery and liquors etc. The main inhabitants of the
state are the Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis.
Tourism
Sikkim
is a place with unsurpassed natural beauty. Its monastries,
temples, eco-friendly and extremely hospitable people
provide the state a sanctified atmosphere of tranquility.
A close view of Mt. Khangchendzonga from Dzongri (13,200
ft) is breathtaking in the early hours of morning. Tosar
Lake situated at a height of 13,000 ft in North Sikkim
is a popular tourist destination. The small and beautiful
state of Sikkim comprises of so many species of fauna.
Weather
Winters
in the month of November to February are cold with minimum
temperatures dipping to 4 centigrade during January
- February. It is between the month of March and early
May when sunshine is quite abundant. Though summer is
officially from May to October, Sikkim is almost always
wet due to the heavy monsoons.
Places
of Tourist Interest
Gangtok :
Situated at a height of 5,500ft, Gangtok, the capital
city of Sikkim offers the tourists all modern amenities
for pleasure and comfort. There are a good number of
luxurious and moderate hotels including modern shopping
complexes, cyber cafes etc. The places of tourist interests
in and around Gangtok are Institute of Tibetology, Deer
Park, The White Hall, Enchey Monastery, Tashi View Point,
Himalayan Zoological Park, Do-drul Chorten (Stupa),
Institute of Cottage Industries and Ganesh Tok.
Excursions : The Ipecac Garden,
Kabi Longstok, Phodong Monastery, Tumlong Palace Ruins,
Chungthang, Lachung, Yumthang, Rumtek Monastery are
few options for excursions.
Kanchendzonga National Park : The
Park covers an area of around 1400 sq.km. It is bound
on the north by the Tent Peak and the ridge of Zemu
glaciers, on the east by the ridge of Mt. Lamaongden,
on the west by Mt. Kanchendzonga and in the south
by Mt. Narsing and Mt. Pandim. Wildlife found in this
Park are the snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, red
panda, barking deer, blood pheasant, civet cats, black
eagle etc.
Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary : Adjoining
the Tsomgo Lake and covering an area of 4 sq km, wildlife
found in this sanctuary are the red panda, blood pheasant
etc.
Shingbha Rhododendron Sanctuary :
Famous for its variety of rhododendrons.
Meanam Wildlife Sanctuary : Located
above Ravangla town and covering an area of 35 sq
km, this sanctuary has its highest point in Meanam
at 10,600 ft. Animals and birds found in this sanctuary
are the red panda, leopard cat, civet this 33 hectares
wildlife sanctuary is located near Yumthang. Wildlife
found in this sanctuary - the blood pheasant, partridge,
tiger, civet cats etc.
Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary :
This rhododendron sanctuary has been recently established
and lies in the west corner of Sikkim.
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary :
With an area of 51.76 sq. km and lying above the road
between Singtam and Dikhu, this sanctuary is 25 km
from Gangtok. The sanctuary is rich in wild orchids,
rhododendrons etc. and is home to the Himalayan black
bear, red panda, civet cat and many varieties of birds
and butterflies.
Entry
Formalities
Domestic
Tourists : Except for a few restricted areas,
Indian tourists need no entry permits to visit Sikkim.
Foreign Tourists : Foreign tourists
require a special permit that can be obtained from
all Indian Missions abroad who are authorized to issue
a 15- day permit. The Tourism Officer at the border
town of Rangpo is also authorized to issue a 2-day
permit to foreign tourists to enable them to enter
the state and acquire the full 15-day permit. Permits
can also be obtained from the various offices.
Festivals
& Events
Maghe
Sangkranti Mela : A three-day holy festival
of the Hindus, this mela is held in the month of January.
Huge fairs are regularly organised in and around the
riverbanks and the confluence of Jorethang, Saramsa,
Rorathang and Triveni rivers.
Bumchu : Held during January/February
at the monastery of Tashiding, the abbot of the monastery
unveils a pot of holy water and foretells the future
of the state during this festival.
Losar : Losar is celebrated to welcome
the Tibetan New Year around the first week of February.
Saga Dawa : Saga Dawa is celebrated
in the month of May in all-important monasteries of
Sikkim. It is an important festival of the Mahayana
Buddhists during which the Lamas with painted masks,
ceremonial swords leap and swing to the tune of the
drums, the trumpets and the chanting of the monks.
Pang Lhabsol : This unique festival
of Sikkim is held during the month of August to worship
the snow peaks of Mount Kanchendzonga. The warrior
dance with its intricate steps and leaps accompanied
by martial war cries is an important feature of the
celebration.
Tendong Lho Rum Faat : This important
festival of the Lepchas community marks the celebration
of the Tendong Hills where it is believed that the
hill rises like a horn to save the Lepchas from a
great flood. The festival is celebrated during the
month of August.
Dasain : It is the main festival
of the Hindu Nepalese in Sikkim where elders of the
family apply 'tika' on the young and bless them. This
festival signifies the victory of good over evil and
it is held during the month of October.
Tihaar : This festival is celebrated
as the festival of lights with the lighting of lamps
accompanied with traditional carols called Deusi and
Bhakti. The festival is held during the month of November.
Losoong Festival : Losoong is an
important festival of the Bhutia community of the
State. The festival marks the end of the harvest season
and also the end of the Tibetan Year. It is celebrated
in the Monasteries of Tsug Lakhang, Phodong and Rumtek
with religious dances (Chaams) feasting and archery
contests. It is held during the month of December.
When to
Go
The
best time to visit Sikkim is March to June and September
to December.
Interesting
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