Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

MG Marg, Gangtok in the 50s  

Gangtok , the capital of Sikkim , is known for its stunning Himalayan landscapes, serene monasteries, and vibrant cultural spots. Below are some additional details to make your visit informative and enjoyable. Ten Essential Highlights in Gangtok MGRoad :  MG Road is the city’s bustling heart, ideal for travellers looking to experience local culture and shop for unique souvenirs. Lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, this pedestrian-only zone is the perfect spot to unwind, try local cuisine, and mingle with locals. It’s also known for hosting various festivals, giving tourists a taste of local celebrations and traditions. Rumtek Monastery : One of the most significant monasteries in Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery is renowned for its serene atmosphere and beautiful Tibetan architecture. This monastery serves as the headquarters of the Karma Kagyu lineage and houses sacred relics and artifacts. Visitors can explore its vibrant prayer halls, observe monks chanting, and enjoy panoramic v...

  29.12.22: A few days back, I had an opportunity to witness a late evening Hindi play Thieves’ Carnival at Manna Kendra, Gangtok, organized by the National School of Drama, Gangtok, and performed by NSD, Sikkim batch of 2021-22. The story is about three thieves who get entangled in a plot created by a rich and bored lady. Without a doubt, the backstage creation of the French-language story deserves much appreciation. The attire worn by the artists, the lights, and the background music, especially the violin part, were finely synchronized with the play's mood. This play was well performed, not too loud, and yet intriguing because of the wide range of shades of different characters involved. The entire play was undoubtedly a team effort and very well displayed, but to me, two characters stand out among all. Lady Hurf, a rich and bored lady, tells three thieves a story and becomes their hostess for them. In the shoes of Lady Hurf, Pallavi Gupta seems destined to be a part of this act...

I would like to thank the people behind the concept of Yukti, the folk dance event that touched the heart of every Nepali folk music listener. Special mention to Mingma Dorjee Lepcha, Sushma Chettri, and the team. April 12, 2022, will surely go as a golden date in the pages of the Nepali music event organized at Sikkim. All thanks to the great event, I had an opportunity to meet the legends of the Nepali music world with the likes of Tulshi Ghimire, Kutumbha band, and Navneet Aditya Waiba. Meeting Shri Tulshi Ghimire, film director, screenwriter, film editor, cameraman, actor, and lyricist was nothing more than a dream come true. He is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Nepali cinema. He was in Bollywood for many years; he was an editor of Shradranjali, Amar Akbar Anthony, Roti and Ponga Pandit, assistant editor of Chacha Bhateeja and DharamveerWe all grew up watching his films and he is still a very young, energetic, and dedicated to cinematic brilliance. Keep following my ...

02.12.21: The winners of the virtual SIKKIMPEX 2021, the State Level Philatelic Exhibition have been declared. Two days the online exhibition was inaugurated on November 29, 2021, and displayed on www.sikkimpex2021.com. The philatelic exhibition was organized by Sikkim Postal Division, Gangtok under West Bengal Circle. Thirty-seven frames in 21 different philatelic themes were exhibited on the website.   Roshan Prasad’s exhibit of ‘The Story of Cricket’ was declared the first position followed by Sishir Pradhan’s ‘The World of Football’ and Deepen Pradhan’s ‘Indian Pre Independence Stamp’ as second and third position respectfully. Similarly, on the Junior Category, Tanishka Pradhan (Mt. Zion, Singtam), Aryan Pradhan (St. Joshep, Rhenock), and Suyog Shital Pradhan (Mt. Zion, Singtam) stood first, second and third respectively. Avishu Pradhan (St. Joshep, Rhenock) went on to win the consolation prizes. Along with the stamp exhibition, a virtual quiz competition was also held. Vivek ...

NOVEMBER 29, GANGTOK  : Two days SIKKIMPEX 2021, the State Level Philatelic Exhibition in virtual mode was officially unveiled by   Joseph Lalrinsailova,  PostMaster General, North Bengal and Sikkim Region at Gangtok Post Office Hall. The competitive and non-competitive exhibits would be displayed on  www.sikkimpex2021.com . The philatelic exhibition was organized by Sikkim Postal Division, Gangtok under West Bengal Circle. Distinguished guests present on the occasion included Robin Sewa (SDM, HQ, Gangtok), Sangya Gyatso Bhutia (Director, Himalayan Zoological Park, Gangtok ), Priyadarshinee Shrestha (Team Leader, WWF, Sikkim), Shital Pradhan (Secretary, Sikkim Philatelic and Numismatic Society), Roshan Pradhan and Padam Parajuli (members SPNS). Thirty seven frames in 21 different philatelic themes were exhibited on the website. On the occasion, two Special Covers were released designed by Roshan Prasad, International philatelic medalist ...

  Aradhana Hindi film gave to the world a new star in Rajesh Khanna. The beauty of Darjeeling mesmerized the cine watchers. Amidst all this, my fantasy lay in a Numer Plate used in the vehicle that Rajesh Khanna drives in most of the shot. The number plate read - SKM 701. Oh My God, that’s Sikkim's Number Plate !! When I first shared this fantastic coincidence on my Facebook page, Kazeeman Chhetri, one of the readers, commented. This Willy Jeep was owned by the late Krishna Chandra Pradhan of the Development Area, Gangtok. He further wrote that during his school days in  the 1970s, this vehicle used to be parked near his residence.

Today, he is remembered as Sikkim’s first COVID-19 death patient. Obituaries poured from different sections of the societies, including the ‘who is who’ of Sikkim. For many of his old students, being unable to attend their favourite teacher’s last walk remains the most unfortunate scenario in their lives. He was a highly respected individual, much appreciated for his simpleton lifestyle, and dedicated his life to the teaching profession. Without a doubt, Rongli has lost one of her proud sons. My Dhaba (my father’s elder brother), Ghanashyam Pradhan, lovingly called ‘GS Sir’, by one and all, was a retired former Headmaster of Phadamchen SSS. An educationist with vibrant thoughts, as shown in his teaching days, had been the trademark of his more than two decades of illustrious profession. He enjoyed his retirement life at Rongli, his birthplace, with his wife, two sons (Praveen Pradhan and Pranay Pradhan), and his grandchildren, who also contributed to certain social gatherings...

Ten years back on my first visit to the Indra Jatra festival at Zero Point, Gangtok I happened to see a photo frame of a small girl in a red costume significantly distinct from other girls of her age with the painted third eye on her forehead. That was my first day with Indra Jatra, Newar’s biggest festival at Sikkim, and of course with the goddess Kumari, which in 2011 was declared a Government Holiday by the State Government of Sikkim.  The festival highlighted the pulling off of a chariot by the devotees with a photo frame of Goddess Kumari on it that was moved through the streets of Gangtok from Zero Point to MG Marg. The chariot was led by masked dancers with faces of deities in honour of God Indra and a long procession of Newar devotees. Getting back to the story of Kumari, it is said there are eleven living goddesses known as Kumari in Nepal. The Kumari of Kathmandu also known as the Royal Kumari is considered to be the most significant and largely followed by the Newa...

I had been regularly visiting Ruchi Diagnostic Clinic, Gangtok. For the benefit of others i am sharing the rate of different test done there as on July 2019.

 Interview of the week He is a 98 years old grandfather. His life is a historic timeline where he had seen the Britishers rule India, had participated at World War II as a soldier of 3/4 th Gorkha Rifles, witnessed the Indian Independence, saw Sikkim turn democracy from the monarchy. Pau had an opportunity to come across the legend to share his life in his own words. Meet Singraj Newar, a world war veteran from Sang. 1.         Namaste Aja, Please tell us about your parents and your birthplace. Ans: Jojolapa to all. I was born in 1920 in Sang Rabdang Bhansari village to Late Shidhi Raj Pradhan and Late Laxmi Pradhan. I was in my early teen when my father passed away at the age of 55 years. My mother passed away after my retirement.  2.         How was your childhood? Ans: I was not fortunate to see a school. My life as childhood was very difficult. My father passed away leaving five br...