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

  "Her crown is composed of rows of pearls, interspersed with alternating turquoises and corals. The necklace consists of coral beads and large yellow amber balls. The charm box attached to it is set with rubies, lapis lazuli, and turquoise. The portrait was painted by Damodar Dutt, a Bengali artist, in 1893." The Postcard named " Oil Portrait of the Late Queen of Sikkim " was issued by FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, CHICAGO, U.S.A.

MAHARANI KUSHANG DECHEN RAGASHAR was married to Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal, the King of Sikkim on 8th October 1918 at the Royal Chapel, Tsuklakhang Monastery. The recolouring was done in cutout.pro.

It has been after few months, i found the photograph of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and Gyalmo Hope Cooke in the the web. So sharing for my readers...indeed a perfect match altogether.

King of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, on the right, and his wife, American born Hope Cooke, on a visit to Washington ( November 18, 1971 ) Arthur E. Scott photograph collection

Wow!! Was the first word that came from my heart. Watching Hope Cooke speak was nothing more than a dream come true. As a student of Sikkim History, my passion for learning more about my state grows with me with each passing day.  Today, I am more than happy to see our former Gyalmo speak in Sikkim. I might be among the first few to have seen this video; so far, 14 views have been recorded. I hope my readers, too, like this video from YouTube.  The video was produced by Yale University and released on YouTube on June 14, 2013.

This photograph from 1966 shows the then Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and Gyalmo Hope Cooke visiting KC Pradhan, who was then studying Masters in Forestry at Yale University (USA). Pic: Ebay

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

Many Many Happy Returns of the day to dear Gyalmo Hope Cooke .   I wish the coming days bring you good health and strength.

Anyone interested in going through the old lifestyles of the small Kingdom of Sikkim will surely be delighted to know that the much-awaited "Sikkim '' documentary by noted filmmaker Satyajit Ray will hit the market soon in DVDs and VCDs. Shot in 1971 in different parts of Sikkim stories of the very documentary being banned and later on gossip of the lost negatives of the much-talked documentary makes the work more interesting for Sikkim lovers to search for this masterpiece. I was fortunate to watch this documentary last year when it was shown at Vajra Cinema Hall at Gangtok. Watching the Chogyal and Gyalmo moving on the widescreen of the cinema hall made it more appealing to audiences like me who were not born in Independent Sikkim. Truly each scene that illustrated the old Sikkim gave me a feeling of that era when this land was free of the noises and crowds that surround it today. Just watch the above video of Gangtok City, the then-small capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim...

  Press Photo of the King of Sikkim,  Palden Thondup Namgyal, with his Queen Hope Cooke arriving in London.  Dated July 1, 1971.---EBAY The Royal Family of Sikkim always fascinates me, it is these photographs that make me feel closer to my Sikkim. I usually surf around ebay.com an auction site that sometimes gives me a glimpse of my place. my king and my people.  The above photograph was taken in 1971 when Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and his Gyalmo arrived in London.   The peculiar rarity of this photograph is the way the late Chogyal has grown his beard. Very less photographs are available with the Chogyal having a beard which was prominent in the later years of his life.

Today is the 70th Birthday of our former Gyalmo Hope Cooke, may she be in good health always. "Smile is a curve that sets everything straight and wipes wrinkle away hope u share a lots and receive a lots 4 days 2 come Happy Birthday ......." Pic: TIME

Maharani with her children Photo shared by Tenpa I am thankful towards Tina Tashi for providing information about the persons in the photographs. Maharani Kunzang Dechhen in the centre to her left is Prince Paljor, to her right is Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal who later became the Chogya of Sikkiml, in front is Princess Pema Tsedeun. The baby is Princess Pema Choki. MAHARANI KUSHANG DECHEN RAGASHAR was married to Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal, the King of Sikkim on 8th October 1918 at the Royal Chapel, Tsuklakhang Monastery. They had three sons and three daughters: Paljor Namgyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, Jigdal Tsewing Namgyal, Pema Tsedong Namgyal, Pema Choki Namgyal and Sonam Palden Namgyal. Maharani Kunzang Dechen died at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, March 1987. NB: Information taken from Royalark