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

Sikkim is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes. Some of the natural attractions that draw visitors to Sikkim include: The Himalayas : The majestic Himalayas form the backdrop of Sikkim and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Kanchenjunga Range : The Kanchenjunga Range is the third-highest mountain range in the world and offers some of the best trekking routes in Sikkim. Rolling Hills and Valleys : Sikkim is known for its rolling hills and lush green valleys, which are dotted with small villages, terraced fields, and blooming flowers. Lakes and Rivers : Sikkim is home to many beautiful and serene lakes, such as the Tsongmo Lake, and fast-flowing rivers, such as the Teesta River, which are popular for boating and fishing. Hot Springs : Sikkim is famous for its hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties and are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Flora and Fauna : Sikkim is known for its r...

  [ It has been a wonderful response from different places in the state, including Darjeeling District, regarding my findings on the Postal History of Sikkim. I am happy that my readers found information that they have heard less. Continuing the previous article, I share the Postal System of the British Expedition of 1888, which played an important role in turning Sikkim into what it is today.] Geoffrey Flack, in “ Sikkim Field Force 1888-89; Precursor to the Younghusband Expedition,” published in Postal Himal (No.78, 2 nd Quarter 1994) writes ……. on March 20 th 1888, Brigadier General T Graham was sent with a force of 2000 men to retake the lands of Sikkim that were invaded by the Tibetans. The Tibetans offered little resistance, crossed the Jalepla, and attacked Gnatong; the British men forced the Tibetans to drive them to the frontiers. Brigadier General T Graham requested the extension of the telegraph line towards the Tibetan side of Jalepla, which was later sancti...

For the stamp-sized state of Sikkim, November 6, 2006, held a moment of glory and recognition in the world philately. In a group of five lakes from different parts of India, Indian Postage featured a postal stamp on Changu Lake. This Changu Lake stamp with an Rs. 5 denomination can be found among the five Himalayan Lakes of India, including Roop Kund, Sela, Tsomo Riri, and Chandra Tal. Bharati Mirchandani designed the stamp and First Day Cover, and Alka Sharma designed the cancellation.  The stamp is printed by India Security Press in Nasik using photogravure. It was the first time in the history of Indian postage stamps that a theme from Sikkim was introduced on an Indian postage stamp. For the last few years, efforts have been made to feature individual themes from Sikkim. Along these lines, various tourist destinations, including Rumtek Monastery, Changu (Tsangu) Lake, Guru Dongmor Lake, Nathula Pass, and the cultural diversity of Sikkim, were discussed, but it was ...

NDTV is revealing the Seven Wonders of India though voting. Sikkim is known for its tourism hub in the entire world. Sikkim is placed along with other North Eastern States and finds three representatives. The three selected wonders from Sikkim include Changu Lake, Tashiding Monastery and our Mountain deity Mt. Kanchenjunga. So vote and lets help our Sikkim be the pride of India. VOTE FOR SIKKIM http://7wondersofindia.ndtv.com/vote.aspx?id=7 Mt Kanchenjunga It is located on the border of Nepal and Sikkim, just 46 miles northwest of Darjeeling. Kangchenjunga is known for picturesque views from the hill station of Darjeeling. On a clear day, it presents an image not as much of a mountain but of a white wall hanging from the sky. It is regarded as a holy mountain of Sikkim. Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world (after Mount Everest and K2), with an altitude of 8,586 metres. Kangchenjunga translated means `The Five Treasures of Snows`, as it cont...

The mighty view of Mt. Kanchenjunga had always attracted me, whenever I come to Gangtok I never forget to have the first glimpse of the mountain god of Sikkim from the back drop at Deorali. I was going through the book of Pema and Mita on Kanchenjunga and the moment I saw the oil canvas painting of Kanchenjunga called Kinchinjunga, I was spell bound. The landscape called “ Kinchinjunga from Darjeeling ” painted by Edward Lear is 331 x 317 cm. The oil painting is found at National Museum Cardiff acquired for £300,000 from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. An interesting quote said that the Italian painter Edward Lear came to Darjeeling, India on the advice of Lord Aberdare to have his self portrait but Lear grew his fantasy for the Kinchinjunga Mountain instead. He wrote ‘Kinchinjunga is not – so it seems tome – a sympathetic mountain; it is so far off, so very god-like and stupendous.’ The work was completed on 1877 and dispatched from Rome to Darjeeling. A letter was written to...

Kangchenjunga, rising proudly to a height of 28,169 feet (8,586 meters), is the third highest mountain in the world and one of the most revered peaks of the Himalaya. Straddling the border of Nepal and Sikkim , it is located just 46 miles northwest of Darjeeling and remains the easternmost of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks . For several years—between 1838 and 1849—it was believed to be the highest mountain in the world before accurate surveys confirmed otherwise. The name Kangchenjunga is widely translated as “Five Treasuries of the Great Snow,” referring to its five towering summits. Apart from its breathtaking beauty, the peak holds immense cultural and spiritual importance. Local tradition considers the summit sacred, and in respect of this belief, the first successful climbers stopped a few feet short of the actual peak. A History of Daring Expeditions The region was first explored by botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1854 , whose expeditions opened access to the remote valley...