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

Today, I had a fantastic experience riding the Bhaleydhunga Ropeway in Yangang , Namchi District, Sikkim . The ropeway starts from Dhapper , about 5 km above Yangang Bazar, and takes you to the top of Bhaleydhunga Cliff . From there, you can enjoy stunning views of Mt. Kanchenjunga , snowfall during winter , and colourful flowers in spring. Earlier, people reached Bhaleydhunga by trekking from Yangang or Ravangla (near Buddha Park ). Now, the ropeway makes the journey easier while still offering breathtaking views. Bhaleydhunga comes from the Nepali words Bhaley ( male pheasant ) and Dhunga (stone). According to local folklore, a male and female pheasant , symbolized by the cliffs Bhaleydhunga and Pothedhunga , were deeply in love. Villagers, driven by superstition, killed the female pheasant, causing a massive landslide that destroyed the village. Even now, locals say they hear the male pheasant's sad calls, mourning his lost love. This place is considered sacred, and unusual...

Reaching Bar Tshangay Falls from Gangtok involves a scenic drive and a bit of trekking, making it an adventurous trip for nature lovers. Here's a detailed guide on how to get there: Route Details: Drive from Gangtok to Martam : Distance: Approximately 23 kilometers. Time: Around 1 hour. Route: Head towards Rumtek Monastery , passing through the picturesque rice valley of Dhankutey. At Martam Village: Notable Landmarks: St. Joseph's Convent School . Option 1: 4 km Hike: Take a fair-weather road that starts from Martam village and connects to Bar Tshangay ward. The road construction started in 2019 and is yet to be completed, making it a bit challenging. Option 2: Via Ledong : Before reaching St. Joseph's School, divert towards Sang Khola on NH 10 . Drive approximately 15 minutes to Ledong. From Ledong, a 20-minute walk downhill will lead you to the falls. Points of Interest: Rumtek Monastery: A significant and beautiful monastery worth visiting on the way. Dhankutey ...

Welcome to Yumesamdong, also known as Zero Point. It is a mesmerizing tourist destination located in the heart of North Sikkim, India. This scenic spot is situated just 22 kilometres north of the famous Yumthang Valley, at a breathtaking altitude of 15,400 feet. Visitors can look forward to a once-in-a-lifetime experience amidst the stunning Himalayan wilderness.  MAY 2024 Yumesamdong is a haven for nature lovers, offering panoramic views of snow-clad peaks and pristine landscapes that seem straight from a postcard. The journey to Zero Point is an adventure in itself, with a one-hour drive from Yumthang Valley taking you through winding mountain roads and picturesque valleys. For the best experience, plan your visit between April and May when the hillsides come alive with the vibrant colours of rhododendron blooms. The entire route leading to Zero Point transforms into a breathtaking display of nature's beauty, making it the perfect backdrop for unforgettable memories. How...

Saramsa Garden in Ranipool, Sikkim, is a beautiful botanical garden perfect for nature lovers. Spread over acres of land, it has diverse plants from Sikkim and beyond. You'll find various plants here, from colorful orchids to medicinal ones, and plenty of flowers. The Garden is more popular nowadays as the best picnic destination to enjoy weekend holidays with family and friends. I have personally enjoyed this trip with my son, and the newly installed playground item makes it more enjoyable for kids. Pay Rs. 100 and enjoy a fun time at the Garden. Marriage parties and social functions are other things that attract people to this place.   Saramsa's peaceful atmosphere and lovely pathways that wind through the greenery make it special. It's a great place for a relaxing stroll or to just sit and enjoy nature's beauty. The garden also has a greenhouse where they care for delicate plants, making exploring it even more interesting. Besides being a lovely spot for visitors, ...

I am a proud Sikkimese, and whenever someone points a finger at my Sikkim, it obviously hurts me. Being blessed to be born in this serene land of Sikkim makes me more attached to nature and its surroundings. For the last seven years, I have been blogging about Sikkim and sharing my knowledge with the world. From my side, I am promoting my state and proving a point that a name called 'Sikkim’ exists around the globe. Sikkim is a small and young state….once an independent kingdom that became part of a mighty Indian Union. For the last ten years, we (on our own) have been emerging…well, growing in different sectors like tourism, education, and others. Our state's growth in the last decade can be compared with any place in the world. We were in high spirits when the global travel guide Lonely Planet named our state the "best region to visit in 2014.” It was, in fact, a matter of pride for us. A few days back, a writer published an article titled ‘North Bengal, Sikkim; Manas N...

Guest Column by Manya Singh Sikkim, a northeast Indian state, revels in its seclusion and salubrious climate. Located in a very serene and slightly isolated corner of India, the state offers a tranquil gateway to holiday lovers. Encircled by the daunting Himalayas and dissected by perpetually evergreen rivers, Sikkim is soul-stirring, quiet, and extremely panoramic.  Its photogenic mountainside beauty is further heightened by the soothing presence of myriad Tibetan monasteries. The culture of this locale is also refreshing and has a haunting quality about it. Here are a few great things tourists love to see in Sikkim: 1. Monasteries: Sikkim tourism is famous for its Buddhist monasteries which adorn the length and breadth of the state. Standing atop the verdant hills, these monasteries are both spiritual and scenic. The Rumtek monastery is the most famous of them all and one of the most visited monasteries. Tourists also make it a point to visit Pemayangtse and Tashid...

 

Reference from Sikkim Times report Imaginary view of Proposed Sky Walk in Bhaley Dhunga   Sikkim grabs yet another mega-budget, inspiring Tourism project funding from the center to uplift Sikkim in the global tourism sector. The 13th Finance Commission FC reveals in its report about recommending projects for Sikkim worth Rs 400 Crore grant-in-aid package within the next five years; this includes the most awaited project of Bhaley Dunga, where the government had placed a proposal for construction of Sky Walk in 2007. As told in the report, the 13th FC has proposed the said project of Bhaley Dhunga Rs 200 Crore.  The Commission, in its report, was tabled by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Parliament on Feb 25, indicating that Sikkim had made a strong pitch for the proposed project and, fortunately, projects like Sky Walk will be the first of its kind in India, said in the report. In its report, the commission makes it clear to avoid any damage to the ecosystem d...

FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS BY PRANIL SUBBA GANGTOK, February 27: ‘Small but Beautiful’ Sikkim has not only bagged yet another tourism award but this Himalayan State has also cemented its position as a most sought-after destination in the nation. This actuality is reflected strongly in the phenomenal growth in terms of tourism flow to Sikkim in 2008 and another national tourism award from the Ministry of Tourism that was given on February 24. The award, national tourism award 2007-08 as the Best State for tourism-related programmes was received by the State tourism secretary SBS Bhadauria from Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in the presence of Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni at the awards function held in New Delhi.   Speaking to the media here today, Mr Bhadauria said that this was the 14th major award won by Sikkim in the field of tourism in the last decade due to the dedication and enthusiasm of the State government which had been instrumental in achieving the goals. “The award p...

Photographed by Subhash Ranjan Photographer's note "On my way to Gurudongmar lake the land beyond Thangu, North Sikkim became absolutely desolate with beginning of the Himalayan rain-shadow zone of cold desert that merges with Tibetan plateau. The mountains were painted heavenly with the beautiful tones of colors reaching the altitude of almost 20,000 to 25,000 feet ASL. Surprisingly I could see snow on one the side of the peaks only with local yak population grazing in the open pastures located on the steep slopes. I present you this peerless landscape for strange biodiversity India carries with its topography." pic: www.treknature.com

It came, it saw and it conqueror and the next edition of the thrilling mountain biking adventure in Sikkim are back. The stage for the 2nd Khanchendzonga Mountain Biking Expedition 2009 (Sikkim) organized by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Sikkim is all set to kick off its 2009 track. Targeting Sikkim to be one of the best destinations for mountain bikers in South East Asia, the 2009 edition shall feature more than 100 participants from countries like US, UK, German, South Korea, NZ, Australia, Nepal and others while big contingent from Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indo Tibetan Border Police are also expected. The nine day exhilarating event shall kick off on March 20 th , 2009 from Gangtok and ends on 29 th March, 2009 at Rongpo. The prize distribution ceremony shall be held on 30 th March at Gangtok. The routes of the event include: 1. GANGTOK – RANKA – RUMTEK – SANG 2. SANG – MARTAM – RABONG 3. RABONG – KEWZING – TASHIDING 4. ...