[113][114], Sikkim is India's least populous state, with 610,577 inhabitants according to the 2011 census. ", Indian Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, "Four New Strategies to Grow the Organic Agriculture Sector", "Sikkim becomes India's first organic state", "Ban on styrofoam products and on use of mineral water bottles in government functions and meetings in Sikkim", "How Sikkim became the cleanest state in India", "Welcome to Sikkim – General Information", Rose, Modernizing a Traditional Administrative System 1978, Duff, Sikkim: Requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom 2015, "Nehru accepted Tibet as a part of China: Rajnath", "China backs India's bid for U.N. Council seat", "Himalayan quake toll climbs to 116, 40 stranded foreign tourists rescued", "Earthquake toll over 80; India 68; as rescue teams reach quake epicentre", "First commission on study of glaciers launched by Sikkim", "Judge strengths in High Courts increased", "Sikkim Assembly election results 2019: Full list of winners", "Sikkim Assembly Elections 2019: All You Need to Know", "In Gangtok, Ganga Prasad takes oath as new Governor of Sikkim, replaces Shriniwas Patil", "Information of Foreign Tourist Interest", "Integrating ethnobiological knowledge into biodiversity conservation in the Eastern Himalayas", "Evaluating high-altitude Ramsar wetlands in the Sikkim Eastern Himalayas", "State Animals, Birds, Trees and Flowers of India", "Indian online gambling market set to open up", "India China border trade at Nathu La closed for this year", "Sikkim's Pakyong airport stuns before it flies", "Sikkim's first airport to be ready by 2014", "First commercial flight lands at Pakyong", "Patel word on speedy airport completion—Sikkim hopes for spurt in tourist inflow", "Finally, Sevoke-Rangpo railway link on track", Indian Railways new Sivok-Rangpo rail project: Travel from West Bengal to Sikkim in just 2 hours, Very soon, travelling to Sikkim by train will be a possibility, "Sikkim becomes first state to achieve 100 percent sanitation", "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India", "State-wise: Population, GSDP, Per Capita Income and Growth Rate", "Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011", "Census of India – Religious Composition", "C-1 Population By Religious Community – Sikkim", "Sleepy capital comes alive to beats of GenX", "In the process of Constitutional democracy, Sikkim has not lagged behind-Governor", "Hon'ble Governor of Sikkim inaugurated "PARAM Kanchenjunga" at NIT Sikkim". [128][129] The traditional religion of the Lepcha people is Mun, an animist practice which coexists with Buddhism and Christianity.[130]. Privately run bus, tourist taxi, and jeep services operate throughout Sikkim and also connect it to Siliguri. Soreng, Yuksom, Gyalshing and Dentam are the subdivisions of the West district. Sikkim is a unique blend of different religion, customs and traditions of different communities. [18] The Tibetan name for Sikkim is Drenjong (Wylie-transliteration: 'bras ljongs), which means "valley of rice",[19] while the Bhutias call it Beyul Demazong, which means '"the hidden valley of rice". [101] However, the New Sikkim Railway Project has been launched to connect the town of Rangpo in Sikkim with Sevoke on the West Bengal border. Of the approximately 1,438 butterfly species found in the Indian subcontinent, 695 have been recorded in Sikkim. [40][unreliable source?] [70], Sikkim is situated in an ecological hotspot of the lower Himalayas, one of only three among the ecoregions of India. [85] In 2003, Sikkim decided to fully convert to organic farming and achieved this goal in 2015 becoming India's first "organic state". The government structure is organised into three branches: In 1975, after the abrogation of Sikkim's monarchy, the Indian National Congress gained a majority in the 1977 elections. Nepali is the lingua franca of Sikkim, while Sikkimese (Bhutia) and Lepcha are spoken in certain areas. [135] Sikkim's most popular sports are football and cricket, although hang gliding and river rafting have grown popular as part of the tourism industry. These vibrant event is marked by unique masked dance wearing colorful robes and accessories.
Be it your wifeâs birthday, Valentineâs Day, or anniversary celebration, elevating the whole look of the room with flower and balloons can add more fun and excitement to the celebration. [94][95] It has been constructed by the Airports Authority of India on 200 acres of land. However, in October 2018, Pakyong Airport, the state's first airport, located at a distance of 30 km (19 mi) from Gangtok, became operational after a four-year delay. [12][13][14][15] It is also among India's most environmentally conscious states, having banned plastic water bottles "in any government functions and meetings" and polystyrene products (throughout the state). However, it has a high population growth rate, averaging 12.36% per cent between 2001 and 2011. [20] According to folklore, after establishing Rabdentse as his new capital, Bhutia king Tensung Namgyal built a palace and asked his Limbu Queen to name it. [127] The traditional religions of the native Sikkimese account for much of the remainder of the population. There are a number of religious festivals in Sikkim such as Saga Dawa, it is a famous festival. There are some holidays that are specific only to the state of Sikkim and only observed in the state. Traditional local festivals, such as Maghe Sankranti, Sakela, Chasok Tangnam and Bhimsen Puja, are popular. [108], Sikkim's roads are maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), an offshoot of the Indian Army. Sikkim is also close to India's Siliguri Corridor near Bangladesh. [96][97] The airport is capable of operating ATR aircraft.[98]. Experience the splendid beauty of Sikkim ⦠The main service providers include Dish TV, Doordarshan and Nayuma. Sikkim Nationalised Transport runs bus and truck services. [80], Sikkim's nominal state gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at US$1.57 billion in 2014 constituting the third-smallest GDP among India's 28 states. [54] The average temperature of the water in these hot springs is 50 °C (122 °F). A part of the Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim is notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a host to Kangchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third highest on Earth. Almost the entire state is hilly, with an elevation ranging from 280 metres (920 ft) in the south at border with West Bengal to 8,586 metres (28,169 ft) in northern peaks near Nepal and Tibet. The Himalayan mountains surround the northern, eastern and western borders of Sikkim. Book your dream destination with no.1 tour operator in India - Heena Tours. A landlocked province of India, Sikkim is settled in the lower regions of the eastern Himalayas and nature has favored this state with particular excellence. The state government has promoted biogas and solar power for cooking, but these have received a poor response and are used mostly for lighting purposes. The Nepalese attacked Sikkim, overrunning most of the region including the Terai. [2] Additional official languages include Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Mukhia, Newari, Rai, Sherpa and Tamang for the purpose of preservation of culture and tradition in the state. Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling offering a unique and pleasant bed ⦠The closest major railway stations are Siliguri Junction and New Jalpaiguri in neighbouring West Bengal. [139], In 1957, a Nepali monthly magazine Kanchenjunga was the first news outlet for the masses in Sikkim. The airport is located about 124 km (77 mi) from Gangtok, and frequent buses connect the two. [54] In north-western Sikkim, the peaks are frozen year-round;[60] because of the high altitude, temperatures in the mountains can drop to as low as −40 °C (−40 °F) in winter. [26] In 1791, China sent troops to support Sikkim and defend Tibet against the Gorkha Kingdom. Recently, Government of Sikkim has approved the open school board named Board of Open Schooling and Skill Education,[148] BOSSE to provide Secondary Education, Senior Secondary as well as Skill & Vocational Education upto pre-degree level and to provide opportunity to continue education to such students who have missed the opportunity of school education. It has been a tradition for entertain guests with a Gala Dinners, Cocktails and Music during Christmas week. Heena Tours offers exclusive Domestic and International Tour Packages, Adventure Packages, Summer Camps, Holiday Packages, Special Tour Packages and Honeymoon Tour Packages. Music of Sikkim ranges from traditional Nepali folk music to Westernized pop music.The ethnic communities, Lepcha, Limbu, Bhutia and Nepalis constitute the music which is an ingrained part of Sikkimese culture. [72][7] A relative of the Poinsettia, locally known as "Christmas Flower", can be found in abundance in the mountainous state. Trade through the pass remains hampered by Sikkim's limited infrastructure and government restrictions in both India and China, though the volume of traded goods has been steadily increasing.[91][92]. The Indian Army has control over a large part of the state, as Sikkim forms part of a sensitive border area with China. [50] For the most part, the land is unfit for agriculture because of the rocky, precipitous slopes. [25] Visit one of the top oldest Colonial hotel of India to witness the opulence & elegance of a royalty. [75], Orchids, figs, laurel, bananas, sal trees and bamboo grow in the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests of the lower altitudes of Sikkim. They could be indoor or outdoor games. [121], According to the 2011 census, 57.8% follow Hinduism, making it the state's majority religion. Date: May 7, 2020 (Dates May Vary) Source 14. People marched on the palace against the monarchy. It enjoyed the highest literacy rate and per capita income among Himalayan states. Nepali rock and Lepcha music are also popular. According to the Constitution of India, Sikkim has a parliamentary system of representative democracy for its governance; universal suffrage is granted to state residents. Besides, Dasain and Tihar are celebrated with great zest in Sikkim; Dasain also known as Durga Puja, a Hindu festival and Tihar known as Diwali symbolizes the return of Lord Ram. First, the 35th Amendment laid down a set of conditions that made Sikkim an "Associate State", a special designation not used by any other state. Sikkim has the third-highest per capita alcoholism rate amongst all Indian states, behind Punjab and Haryana. The sex ratio is 889 females per 1,000 males, with a total of 321,661 males and 286,027 females recorded in 2011. Himalayan Journals: notes of a naturalist in Bengal, the Sikkim and Nepal Himalayas, the Khasia mountains etc. Buddhism and Hinduism are the two major religions of Sikkim. During this festival, the famous masked dances are presented with temples that are lit up in honor of the lord. They are tasty, healthy and in no way lesser than cakes with egg. India is said to have stationed 20,000–40,000 troops in a country of only 200,000 during the referendum. Sikkim's climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the north. Many areas are restricted to foreigners, and official permits are needed to visit them. Almost 35% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between 1717 and 1733, the kingdom faced many raids by the Nepalese in the west and Bhutanese in the east, culminating with the destruction of the capital Rabdentse by the Nepalese. Sikkim achieved its ambition to convert its agriculture to fully organic between 2003 and 2016, and became the first state in India to achieve this distinction. Another New Year festival in Sikkim is the Sonam Losoong of Sikkimese Bhutia which also marks the end of the harvest festival. Ravongla, Jorethang, Namchi and Yangyang are the subdivisions of the South district. [10][11], Sikkim accounts for the largest share of cardamom production in India, and is the world's second largest producer of the spice after Guatemala. [107] In addition, the Ministry of Railways proposed plans in 2010 for railway lines linking Mirik in West Bengal to Namchi, Daramdin, Ranipool, and Gangtok. [30] The doctors were detained by the Sikkimese government, leading to a punitive British expedition against the kingdom, after which the Darjeeling district and Morang were annexed to British India in 1853. Avyakta, Bilokan, the Journal of Hill Research, Khaber Khagaj, Panda, and the Sikkim Science Society Newsletter are among other registered publications.[142]. [47] The pass, which had previously been closed since the 1962 Sino-Indian War, was an offshoot of the ancient Silk Road. A month later, the 36th Amendment repealed the 35th Amendment, and made Sikkim a full state, adding its name to the First Schedule of the Constitution. Buddhism and Hinduism are the two majorly followed religion. The fauna of Sikkim include the snow leopard,[76] musk deer, Himalayan tahr, red panda, Himalayan marmot, Himalayan serow, Himalayan goral, muntjac, common langur, Asian black bear, clouded leopard,[77] marbled cat, leopard cat,[78] dhole, Tibetan wolf, hog badger, binturong, and Himalayan jungle cat. Here, you can experience the kaleidoscope of colours, its diversified culture and rich traditions in their array of festivals such as Pang Lhabsol, Bumchu etc, for instance Losar is a famous festival in Sikkim. Sikkim lacks significant railway infrastructure. The dress code is white and non-vegetarian food is completely avoided. [134], Western rock music and Indian pop have gained a wide following in Sikkim. The palace attempted to defuse the movement by appointing three secretaries from the SSC to the government and sponsoring a counter-movement in the name of Sikkim National Party, which opposed accession to India. Sikkim government holiday list 2021: The list of the holidays can differ from one state to another depending upon the state and which festivals are prominent in the region. In 1849, two British physicians, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker and Dr. Archibald Campbell, the latter being in charge of relations between the British and Sikkimese governments, ventured into the mountains of Sikkim unannounced and unauthorised. At an altitude of 4,700 feet (1,400 m) above sea level, it is one of the five highest airports in India. Chungthang, Dzongu, Kabi and Mangan are the subdivisions of the North district.