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

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...

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. ...