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

JORETHANG , December 23: The one-leaf 2008 calendar featuring the first Kirat King Yallambar dating back to 400 BC and set on the backdrop of Mount Khangchendzonga along with the images of men and womenfolk attired in their traditional dress during a Rai festival and printed both in Bantawa script and in English was unveiled at a ceremony today morning at Baiguney Rodung Khim in Jorethang. Minister for the State Rural Management Development Department, KN Rai launched the chic, artistic calendar amidst thunderous applause. The calendar priced at Rs 50 each has been designed and printed by Ashit Rai, one of the active members of the Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh youth wing. One of the chief reasons behind printing the calendar was to accumulate funds for the smooth functioning of the youth wing committee which, according to Ashit Rai is still in its nascent phase as far as its monetary aspect is concerned. “By doing so, the youths of the Rai community can prove our worth that we...

The Kirat Khambo Rai of Sikkim, Their Lifestyle and Custom at a Glance H.H. Risley, in his book, “The Gazetteer of Sikkim (1884), while reflecting the total population of Sikkim, mentioned ‘Rai’ , ‘Khambu’ and ‘Jimdar’ as different communities, but in reality, these terms denote a single community, which is now, popularly known as Rai community. Rai is also known as Kirata, Khambu, and Jimdar. The term Kirata has a wider connotation and is also found in Puran, Upadnishad, or the old Vedas. It covers Rai, Limbu, Sunwar, Gurung, Manger, Tamang, and others, but only the Rai community uses this term.  As per the census of Sikkim in 1884, the total strength of the Rai community was in third position, but Mr. Risley put it at random owing to the reason mentioned already. The majority of Rai people still reside in many parts of the state. They are mainly concentrated in the South and West Districts of the State. Festival: In this former Himalayan kingdom,...