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

Gyalmo Hope Cooke with Daugther Hope (1972) SOURCE: EBAY

My fascination with Sikkim History started in early 2003 after I completed my graduation from Sikkim Government College, Tadong where I joined the famed newspaper Weekend Review at Gangtok and since then there is no looking back for me. Over the last seven years I am fortunate to have my articles published in reputed newspapers and magazines of Sikkim and few from North Bengal too. My query to know more about the Sikkim’s past made me visit different corners of the state. Visiting those sacred places I find myself blessed to have born to this place, a heaven on earth. Blogging for me started in 2005; as a result “ Proud to be a Sikkimese ” was born. Proud to be a Sikkimese is my homage to my Sikkim and contains collection of articles and essays I had written over the years more prominently about Sikkim History. The technology of Internet has helped writers like share my work with people across the globe and it gives a pleasure of satisfaction to know that my articles have helped p...

I have carved a small dream inside me to visit the Royal Palace at Gangtok ever since I enjoyed learning about my Sikkim. I had always romanticized how the Palace looked from the inside and how royal families did their day-to-day activities inside it.  My fantasy got a wing when surfing down the articles I found a very beautiful article written in a Time magazine some 40 years back when Hope Cook was the Gyalmo of the Kingdom of Sikkim. The rich brown-haired American Queen of Sikkim brought with her the Western world's attention towards the land of Sikkim, which was more of a favorite hub for some British naturists till then.  Hope Cook married Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal in a highly structured marriage ceremony at the Royal monastery on 20 March 1963, which was seen as the tying of the knot of the two worlds.  The grand marriage was also featured in National Geographic Magazine. Five years in her marriage and at 28, Hope Cook had two children Prince Palden at 4, and...