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

  A group photo captures the installation of Tashi Namgyal, 11th Chogyal or King of Sikkim, on February 19, 1915. Tashi Namgyal (seated third from right) is joined by Kunzang Dechen (seated fifth from right) and Charles Bell, Political Officer for Sikkim (fourth from right). Behind them stand European, Sikkimese, and Tibetan officials. Notable figures include Achuk Tsering (far left), Dr. Graham of the Dr. Graham Homes, Kalimpong (behind Tsering's left shoulder), and Lobzang Choden (far left), a prominent Sikkimese landlord. Chonyi, the Maharaj Kumari of Sikkim, stands behind Charles Bell's right shoulder.

  22.05.22: Sikkim started off the centennial birth anniversary celebrations of Late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal starting today. A year-long celebration had been decided in the state of Sikkim till May 22nd 2023.    A major celebration was held today at Chogyal Palden Thondup Memorial Park, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Deorali. More than 34 different organisations along with the Chogyal Centennial Celebrations Committee had come together to celebrate the occasion.    Prince Palden Gyurmed Namgyal, the son of the Late Chogyal gave his gracious presence to make the event a memorable one. Prayers and a cultural program from different communities were held on the occasion.   Earlier in the morning, a day-long, Sowa Rigpa Free Medical Camp at MG Marg was inaugurated by Ganga Prasad, the Governor of Sikkim. The camp was conducted by The medical camp was conducted by Soga Rigpa Medical College of NIT, Deoarli. The Governor of Sikkim then visited Chogyal Pal...

25 years after SIKKIM - Nepali Times King Palden Thondup Namgyal, the Chogyal of Sikkim was in his palace on the morning of 6 April, 1975 when the roar of army trucks climbing the steep streets of Gangtok brought him running to the window. There were Indian soldiers everywhere, they had surrounded the palace, and short rapid bursts of machine-gun fire could be heard. Basanta Kumar Chhetri, a 19-year-old guard at the palace's main gate, was struck by a bullet and the killed-the first casualty of the takeover. The 5,000-strong Indian force didn't take more than 30 minutes to subdue the palace guards who numbered only 243. By 12.45 it was all over, Sikkim ceased to exist as an independent kingdom. Captured palace guards, hands raised high were packed into trucks and taken away, singing: " Dela sil, li gi, gang changka chibso " (may my country keep blooming like a flower). But by the, the Indian tri-colour had replaced the Sikkimese flag at the palace where the 12t...