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Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, Sikkim is a Himalayan wonderland with its lovely views,exotic orchids, and forest trails. A virtual Shangrila overlooked by Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, Sikkim is attractive equally for the sightseer, the adventure sports enthusiast and those interested in Buddhism and Tibetology. Famous for Kanchenjangha, the third highest mountain in the world at 8586 m, the mountain kingdom of Sikkim possesses a tremendous variety of plant and wildlife besides a diverse ethnic mix of peoples with rich cultural traditions. One of the smallest states of India, it is bounded by Nepal to the west and Bhutan to the east; by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and northeast and by West Bengal to the south.

HISTORY

Ruled by the Namgyal (Lepcha) clan since the 15th century, Sikkim lost much land to the British and to Nepal and Bhutan in the 18th century. With the defeat of the Nepali army by the British in 1817, southern Sikkim was given back to the ruler, in exchange for the hill that later became known as Darjeeling. The original inhabitants of Sikkim are the Lepchas who stay in the central and northern areas; lower valleys are inhabited by Nepali immigrants. Other ethnic groups are the Magars renowned warriors, and the Bhotias, who came to Sikkim from the Kham area of Tibet in the 13th century.

CULTURE

The state's cultural life is related to Tibetan religious and aesthetic traditions. The cultural climax of the year comes with the 2-day Phanglhapsol festival, when masked dances are performed in honour of Kanchenjunga, presiding deity and the mountain. There are also many secular folk dances. The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has one of the largest collection of Tibetan books in the world. Many Buddhist monasteries are repositories of artistic treasures, including wall paintings, thangkas (religious paintings mounted on brocade), and bronze images.

OCCUPATION

Tourism and agriculture is the basis of the Sikkim economy. Sikkim is one of the world's main producers of cardamom, and an exporter of mandarin oranges, apples, and potatoes. Sikkim is also rich in mineral wealth. Its forests have great economic value in sawn timber and wood pulp. Sikkim's cotton and wool weaving, carpets, rugs, blankets, and bamboo work is well-known.

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim lies on a ridge with fine views of the Kangchenjunga. Gangtok, the name of which means "top of the hill", rises Preg Chhu Waters - Sikkim over slopes extensively terraced in corn. It was the governmental seat of the kingdom of Sikkim until the monarchy was abolished (1975) and Sikkim was annexed by India (1976). The greater part of Sikkim's urban population lives in Gangtok.

Tsomgo Lake : Tsomgo lake is only 40 kms. from Gangtok town and is situated at an altitude of 12,210 ft. The drive from Gangtok takes about 2½ hours by bus. The lake is bout 1 km. long and oval in shape, 50ft. deep and is regarded extremely Holy. It is also a home of Brahmini ducks besides stopover for various migratory ducks.

Handloom and Handicrafts centre : It is now known as the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms as well as the Government Institute of Cottage Industries. Started during the time of the Chogyals of Sikkim, as a venture to protect and propagate the craft and skills of local and village artisans, it has become on t of the major attractions for people visiting Sikkim where traditional handcrafts, furniture, handlooms carpets and other products can be viewed and also purchased .

Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre : The seat of the 17th Gyalwa Karma, late His Holiness Rangjung Rigpae Dorjee, it is believed that the monastery, built in 1960 is a replica of the original Kagyurpa Monastery in Tsurphu, Tibet. ( 24 kms from Gangtok).

Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies : Initiated by the late 16th Karmapa, the institute in housed in the adjoining building of the Rumtek Monastery. The Jamyang Khang Primary School meant for 5 years of primary monastic studies is also located here.

Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden : Very close by to Rumtek Monastery, and maintained by the parks and Gardens unit of the Forest Department of the Government of Sikkim, the Garden is an enchanting and soothing experience among the lush green vegetation, rare plants and trees and certain species of Himalayan flowers and Orchids.

Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology(SRIT) : Formerly known as the Namgyal institute of Tibetology, after the late Chogyal of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal whose brainchild it was, the Sikkim Research Institute of Technology(SRIT), has since become one of the most prestigious depository of Tibetan literature, rare manuscripts, paintings, thangkas, statues and religious objects and other works of art and history. Situated at Deorali, the SRIT is within a very walkable distance from the main town of Gangtok.

Nestled closeby is the Dotrabu Chorten of Guru Padmasambhava and a small temple dedicated to the Guru Rimpoche which houses a 60 feet statue of Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim.

Permanent Flower Show : White Hall, Close by the White Memorial Hall and just below the Palace Ridge park is the more recent Flower Show Hall. In recent years this show has become quite popular and famous as there are flower exhibitions throughout the year in accordance with the seasons and the flowers in bloom.

Enchey Monastery : An important seat of the Nyingma order, the Enchey Monastery meaning the Solitary temple, was originally built with the solace that no other construction would be allowed near it is built on the site blessed by Lama Druptob Karpo, a tantric master known for his flying powers. This 200-year-old Monastery has in its premises images of god, goddesses and other religious objects. Every year around January 'Chaam' or religious masked dance is performed with great fanfare for two days. it is situated adjoining the Sinolchu Tourist Lodge, 3 kms from Gangtok Town.

Hanuman Tok : It is approximately 5½ km. from Gangtok town. A temple of God Hanuman, worshipped by the Hindus. Besides offering prayers, one can enjoy the scenic beauty of Gangtok town and have a satisfying glimpse of Mt Kanchendzonga, which is snow clad.

Tashi View Point : Built by the late King of Sikkim Sri. Tashi Namgyal, it is situated 4 km from Gangtok town from where one can have a clear view of opposite hills, besides Mt. Kanchandzonga. This site offers a breathtaking panorama of the majestic Mt.Kanchandzonga and surrounding hills.

Ganesh Tok : It is a very small temple of Ganesh, a God worshipped by Hindus. It is on a hillock on Gangtok-Nathula Road. A Sikkim Government nursery is just nearby.

Do-Drul Chorten ( Stupa) : The Do-Drul Chorten or Stupa was built by the venerable Trulshi Rimpoche, head of the Nyingma order of Tibetan Buddhism in 1945. Inside this stupa, there are complete mandala sets of Dorjee Phurba (Bajra Kilaya), a set of Kan-gyur relics ( Holy Books), complete 'Zung'( mantras) and other religious objects. Around this Chorten, which is one of the most important stupas in Sikkim, are 10 Mani-Lhakor( prayer wheels). These prayer wheels are turned by the devout Buddhist while chanting "Hail to the jewel in the Lotus", to invoke the Buddhisattva. The Chorten is surrounded by Chorten Lakhang, where there are two huge statues of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava).

Saramsa Garden: About 14 kms from Gangtok is the Saramsa Garden, the home of Sikkim's most exotic orchids and other rare tropical and temperate plants. Established and maintained by the Department of Forest, it is an excellent recreation and picnic spot.

Water Garden : Water Garden at Martam Khola is on the 31-A National Highway some 16 kms. south of Gangtok. It is an ideal spot for picnic with a small swimming pool for children.

Sa-Ngor-Chotshog Centre : It is a Tibetan refugee monastic institution established in 1961 by his Eminence Luding Khen Rimpoche, Head of Ngorpa, sub-sect of the Sakya Order, with the blessing of H.H. Sakya Trizin and H.H. the Dalai Lama. This is the only monastery of the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim. It is located on a beautiful hill-top just 5 kms away from Gangtok Sikkim.