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

{ I started writing columns in newspapers with an article on my grandfather some twelve years back, and today, when I flip over the pages of bygone days, I do see his intuition upon me in things that other people care little about.  This article is my tribute to my grandfather for what I am today!! ]   The rain failed to mar the funeral procession of my grandfather at Rongli, his birthplace.  Thirteen days passed by, and in the last two weeks, it is clear weather that has helped his relatives and well-wishers to give their last visit to offer prayers at his residence. I do notice a silence and emptiness around my grandfather's residence. Despite the moving crowds, his absence is felt. His commanding voice and the way he wanted his family members to unite on every occasion echo in my small mind.   Siba Narayan Pradhan, more popular as Sibay Gurubau, was a couple of months short of his ninety birthday when he passed away, and he was the oldest person in Rongli. He i...

It may sound strange, but the famed Lampokhari better known as Aritar Lake is not at Aritar but is found within the boundary of Dalapchand.  I, too, like many were unknown of this fact until during my two years stay at Dalapchand SS. I had come across people out there who told me myths of Lampokhari that were followed from one generation to another. The oral folk lore is fabled stories thou sometimes hard to believe but are nevertheless interesting to read. I believe it is these stories that gave birth to the charisma of Lampokhari that is today visited for its mesmerizing and unparalleled beauty. Dalapchand originally called Do-le-che means flattened rock as old people recount. This little-known village more popular for its green vegetables today was a major mule route to Tibet starting during British Expedition 1888 till the Indo-China conflict in the early 60s. Today more than five decades after the closing of the mule-driven trade along with the development of better tra...