Home

SIKKIM – “The State Of Tibetians.”

SIKKIM

Sikkim is a state in northeast India, bordered by Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. Part of the Himalayas, the area has a dramatic landscape that includes India’s highest mountain, 8,586m Kangchenjunga. Sikkim is also home to glaciers, alpine meadows and thousands of varieties of wildflowers. Steep paths lead to hilltop Buddhist monasteries such as Pemayangtse, which dates to the early 1700s.

The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded by the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century. It was ruled by Buddhist priest-kings known as the Chogyal. It became a princely state of British India in 1890. Following Indian independence, Sikkim continued its protectorate status with the Union of India after 1947, and the Republic of India after 1950. It enjoyed the highest literacy rate and per capita income among Himalayan states. In 1973, anti-royalist riots took place in front of the Chogyal’s palace. In 1975, after the Indian Army took over the city of Gangtok, a referendum was held that led to the deposition of the monarchy and Sikkim joining India as its 22nd state.

Sikkim accounts for the largest share of cardamom production in India, and is the world’s second largest producer of the spice after Guatemala. Sikkim achieved its ambition to convert its agriculture to fully organic between 2003 and 2016, and became the first state in India to achieve this distinction. It is also among India’s most environmentally conscious states, having banned plastic water bottles “in any government functions and meetings” and polystyrene products (throughout the state).

Nature Beauty Of Sikkim

Sikkim is one such scenic state of the region where nature’s Smiles. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the beauty of Sikkim is absolutely breathtaking. Snowcapped mountains, picturesque vistas, lakes, waterfalls and colorful valleys together form the beauty that is Sikkim.

Keeping in tune with the natural diversity, Sikkim has an equally rich and diverse demographic structure with myriad of communities and religions and intricately knit colourful cultures, the basic connecting factor being the warm, welcoming nature of the people everywhere. The phrase “Atithi Devo Bhava” finds its true meaning in Sikkim. Diverse rituals, songs, dances, traditional dresses, folklores and legends fill up the cultural canvas of the State. The chimes of bells in the temples and the flutter of prayer flags in the monasteries create a feeling of righteousness and healing of spirit and soul. Feel rejuvenated, energised and spirituality enlightened in this holy land.

Nature is revealed in its entire splendour in the serene lakes, cascading rivers and pristine waterfalls. Sacred lakes, waterfalls and hot water springs dot the mountainous landscape. Sikkim has a spectacular diversity of natural habitats and wildlife within a small geographic area of just 7,096 Sq. Km. From the river valleys and verdant forests to alpine meadows with rainbow of flowers blooming in monsoon; to the ice barren high glaciers and cold deserts – the vistas are endless and captivating for a visitor who is taken aback by such splendour.

CULTURE

Sikkim is a unique blend of varied traditions, religions, customs of different communities.

Communities, Cultures, Religions and Customs of different hues intermingle freely here in Sikkim to constitute a homogeneous blend. The predominant communities are the LEPCHAS, BHUTIAS and NEPALESE. In urban areas, many plainsmen have also settled and they are almost engaged in business and Government service.

Sikkim is a beautiful land of manifold tribes and races of people living together. All these diverse tribes and communities have their unique features in addition to their particular dance forms, festivals, languages, culture, and craft forms. The miscellany of ethnic groups, religion, and languages is seen all over Sikkim.

FOOD

Momos and Thukpa are the one of the best and famous food in Sikkim.

Momos are steamed flour dumplings filled with anything right from cottage cheese, cheese and corn to meat or cabbage. Momos have long been a local food in Sikkim, and the state makes the best momos in the country.

What we can Eat in Sikkim Beyond Momos and Thukpa

• Phagshapa. Generally a dish for the summers, phagshapa is a pork based dish served with rice.
• Chaang. In the bitter-cold winters of Sikkim, it is ideal to try out an alcoholic beverage to keep you warm.
• Kinema Curry.
• Kodo Ko Roti.
• Sael Roti.
• Gundruk and Sinki.
• Chhurpi.

WILD LIFE SANCTUARY

Red panda, snow leopard, musk deer, blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, marmots, goral, barking deer, langur monkey, Himalayan black bear, different species of leopard, Tibetan wolf, giant badgers, martens and jungle cats all belong to Sikkim’s rich wildlife. Sikkim also has a rich diversity of arthropods. Many of them remain unexplored and undiscovered. Of the approximately 1,438 butterfly species of the Indian subcontinent 695 exist in Sikkim alone! And the species found here include many endangered and endemic species too.

Sikkim and surrounding regions including Northeast India are extraordinarily rich in avifauna. Birders consider this to be birdwatchers paradise. Sikkim’s avian population extends to almost 550 species and the ornithological diversity of the area has been documented by ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali. As the climate varies between the tropical heat of the valleys and the alpine cold of the snowy regions Sikkim has got altitudinal zones of vegetation that range from tropical, subtropical, temperate to Alpine. This diversity in climates, altitudes and vegetations is responsible for the great variety and abundance in the resident bird life, making this area one of the richest of its size anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in a birding/bird watching trip we will plan your itinerary in accordance to your requirements, taking into consideration your physical condition, timeframe and special interest.

Ornithological Trips usually include a trekking or field trips to sanctuaries and lesser known hot spots and excellent birding sites all. Species like Maroon-Backed Accentor and Red-faced Liocichla are found in these forests and sanctuaries. Depending on the area visited you may see Himalayan Monal, Brown Parotbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Cutia, Sapphire flycatcher, White browned Bush Robin, Granduala Rufous, Breasted Accentors, White winged, collared Grosbeaks, Spot-winged Rosefinch, Snow Partridge, Snow Cock, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagels, Quail, Woodcock, Babblers, Bearded Vulture, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers and pheasants including the Blood Pheasant and crimson horned pheasant. Nearby a typical Bhutia-village you can combine your passion for birding with a trek to a nearby hill to see Tragopan, Kalij pheasant, rusty-bellied Shortwing, Minivet, Yuhina, flycatchers

FESTIVALS

The Sikkim festivals are celebrated with a lot of pomp and show and as per the Buddhist calendar. Throughout all these festivals the citizens of Sikkim indulge in vibrant and lively dances and music. Chaam, one of the most fascinating type of ritual dance performed by the Lamas, which involves brightly colored masks and fascinating musical instruments and takes place at the different monasteries across Sikkim while these festivals are on. Some of the most popular festivals, notable in Sikkim are Losoong, Drupka Teshi, Bumchu, Saga Dawa, Dassin and Phang Lhabsol.

Losar – The Most Famous Festival of Sikkim

The Tibetan New Year is perhaps the most enthusiastically celebrated festival of Sikkim. This harvest festival is marked by the Chaam and other traditional dances. People visit the monasteries for rituals before venturing out for celebrations.

Top 5 Sikkim Festivals

• Saga Dawa.
• Pang Lhabsol.
• Losoong or the Sonam Losar.
• International Flower Festival.
• Losar is the Tibetan New Year.

DRESSES

The famous Dress Of Sikkim

The Kho (Sikkimese: བགོ) or Bakhu (Nepali: बख्खु) is a traditional dress worn by Bhutia, ethnic Sikkimese people of Sikkim and Nepal.

It is a loose, cloak-style garment that is fastened at the neck on one side and near the waist with a silk or cotton belt similar to the Tibetan chuba and to the Ngalop gho of Bhutan, but sleeveless.

Women wear a silken, full-sleeve blouse called a honju inside the kho; a loose gown type garment fastened near the waist, tightened with a belt. Married women tie a multi-coloured striped apron of woolen cloth called pangden around their waist.

Male members wear a loose trouser under the kho. The traditional outfit is complemented by embroidered leather boots by both men and women.

However, just like anywhere on the hills, the people of Sikkim are defined and identified by the clothing they are wearing or the jewelry they are adorning. If you happen to spend your holiday in Sikkim you will come across a very heterogeneous population.

Here is everything you need to know about the traditional Sikkim dresses that will help you in identifying the true essence of what makes this small state interesting in its own quirky way:-

Traditional Bhutia Tribe Clothing:
Dress of SikkimKnown as Bakhu in the Nepalese dialect and Kho in the Bhutia language, this is the primary traditional costume worn by the Bhutia tribe of Sikkim who make for a major section of the Sikkimese population. Apart from the fact that this piece of clothing is sleeveless, Bakhu resembles somewhat a Tibetan Chuba which is worn by both men and women. This looks like a loose cloak like clothing that is tied and tightened around the neck and waist with the help of a belt which is made out of silk or cotton material.

Over the years this simple and traditional clothing attire of Sikkim has gone through a substantial change to cater to the needs of the changing generations and the age of modernization. People now pair it up with a pair of denim jeans to make it look more western. Some women also choose to pair the Bakhu with a traditional shawl or a blouse known as Majetro and Chaubandi Cholo.

Traditional Lepcha Community Clothing:
The main traditional outfit worn by the people of the Lepcha community is known as Thokro Dum. Resembling a arate player’s outfit this piece of traditional attire can be spotted due to its Payjama length that goes down till the calves. Mostly people traditionally choose to wear a cap known as Shamo and a Yenthatse which is a traditional Lepcha shirt. To complete the look a hand woven waist band called Dupra is pinned at one of the shoulders and then wrapped around the waist of the wearer. The short length of the Payjama indicates that the men are original inhabitants of marshy lands.

The Payjamas are also made up of long-lasting materials to cater to the needs of the hard-working people who spend long hours in the field toiling away. The intricately and finely woven hats are also worn since they hold immense historical and ethnic value which is buried very deep in the historical past of their land. Did you know that these hats are made out of canes, bamboos, and straws? And these are worn as an ode to the royal soldiers who worked hard during the era of Chogyal Dynasty.

Dumvum:

The women from Lepcha community adorn beautiful a Saree – like garment which is referred to as a Dumvum or a Dumyam in the traditional language. This outfit goes down till the ankle and offers a silky, smooth, and comfortable sense of comfort. It is a very significant piece of clothing among the people of this community and they wear it as a mark of honor and pride which according to them binds them together in one string. A loose-fitting blouse is also aired up with this ankle-length Saree which is generally contrasting and very bold in color. This blouse is commonly known as Tago. Just like the other traditional Sikkimese outfit to complete the look the people include a belt called Nyamrek and taro to cover the head and is a type of a traditional hat/cap.

Lepcha men and women showcase distinct differences in the way they wear their traditional attire where the calf-length payjama indicates them working on the marsh lands on the other hand flowy garments or bottom wear is an indication of working on dry fields and land.

Shuruval:

Sikkim is inhabited by people from neighboring and nearby regions as well, mainly consisting of people, especially from Nepal. But how can you spot them from the rest? The Nepalese men wear this particular outfit as an ode to their tradition. This attire consists of a garment which is double-breasted and long, flowy in nature making it comfortable and stylish to wear at the same time. The bottomwear consists of a churidar which is known locally as Shuruval itself and the shirt which they adorn as a Topwear is known as a Daura or a simple shirt.

Completing and pulling the whole look together as one is a waistcoat or an ascot and a belt known as Patuki. Some people also carry a Khukri in a leather case to represent their community and pay homage to their dynamic and fearless courageous past.

Traditional Wedding Attire:
No matter which part of India or the world you go, the traditional wedding attire are very colorful and beautiful to look at. When it comes to the eastern part of the Himalayas, the bride is adorned with the finest clothing made out of smooth silk material making them look like the royals of Baku community. Similar clothing made out of silk is created for the grooms. Both the bride and groom wear similar upper garments the only distinction being a loose trouser worn by men as a part of the bottom wear. As a part of showcasing grandeur, men and women wear leather boots. When it comes to jewelry they make sure to wear only the finest jewels made out of pure gold which further adds on to their royal look and feel.

Thankyou.

Name :- Ishika Sharma

Class :- X1 – D

Roll No. :- 46