Sikkimese people and its culture and tradition.

THERE ARE THREE COMMUNITIES IN SIKKIM BHUTIA,LEPCHA AND NEPALI.



LEPCHA YOUTH IN THEIR TRADITIONAL DRESS







BHUTIA DANCE

BHUTIA GIRL

GURUNG GIRL IN GURUNG DRESS



BHUTIAS IN THEIR TRADITIONAL DRESS



MAN IN BHUTIA DRESS

Bhutia

BHUTIA

ANCIENT HISTORY OF SIKKIM

Little is know about the ancient history of sikkim.It believe that ,the lepcha tribes that belongs to the clan of the nagas of the mikir,garo and khasi hills which lie to the of the Bramaputra valley were the earlier inhabitant of Sikkim.They were very peace loving people and they worship mother nature.The  Tibetan(later called them bhutias)migrated to sikkim around 17th century because of conflict of ''Red Head and Yellow Hat'' in Tibet.Later Bhutia attained the status of aristocracy and convert these lepchas''worshiper of mother nature''to Buddhism.In 1642,the fifth generation desedent of Guru Tashi,Phuntsog Namgyal was consecrated as the first Denjong Gyalpo or the Chogyal(king)of Sikkim by the three great lama who came from north,west and south to yuksom norbugang,west sikkim.The event was as predicted by Guru Rinpoche some eight hundred years before.Their dynasty ruled sikkim for over 300 years.Later in 1975,sikkkim merged with India and became 22nd state of indian union.

FLOWERS OF SIKKIM

THERE ARE MORE THAN 500 SPECIES OF ORCHIDS IN SIKKIM.

   

HOW TO REACH SIKKIM

BY AIR:Bagdogra is the nearest airport from sikkim(120km from gangtok).Sikkim tourism development corporation operate daily helicopter flight from bagdogra to gangtok(20mins.ride)and it cost Rs.2200approx.ticket booking is done in gangtook tourism office also.

BY TRAIN:The nearest railway station is new jalpaiguri station(115km from gangtok).

BY ROAD:Sikkim is well connected by NH31A(115km).sikkim taxi stand is at S.N.T,pradhan  nagar,siliguri.Taxi fare from siliguri to gangtok is Rs.130.

NOTE   :Foreign tourist should get inner line permit before entering to sikkim and it can be done  at siliguri  tourism office also.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SIKKIM

AREA:       7096sq.km
POPULATION:   600000 appro.
LANGUAGE:    English,Nepali,Hindi,Bhutia,Lepcha and Limbu
DISTRICT:         4
TEMPERATURE:       summer-max.21'c,min.13'c
                                   winter-max.13'c,min.5'c
ANNUAL RAINFALL:    3894mm
NEAREST AIRPORT:    Bagdogra(120km from gangtok)
NEAREST RAILWAY STATION:    New Jalpaiguri station(113km from gangtok)
MAMELS:         150
BIRDS:           552
BUTTERFLIES:     690
STATE FLOWER:     Nobile Orchid(denrobium nobile)
STATE TREE:           Rhododendron
FERNS AND FERNS ALLIES:   362
FLOWERING PLANTS:     4500
RHODODENDRON:   39
MEDICINAL PLANTS:    424
PRIMULAS:         60
LAKES AND WETLAD:     227
ORCHID:       515
HERBAL GARDEN:  13
GLACIERS:   21
OAKS:   11
FORESTRY COVER:   46%(2003)
RIVERS AND STREAMS:  104
MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS:   28
TREE FERNS:   8
FISH:   48
CONIFERS:  16