SIKKIM
Sikkim, a mountain kingdom before its accession into India in 1975 lies in the Eastern Himalayan Range. A place where the modern and the ancient mix seamlessly, the land is dotted with ancient monasteries, mystical lakes that freeze over during the winters, majestic mountain ranges, tea gardens and the ever present prayer flags reminding one of the cultural and spiritual significance of the land and its people. Warm, inviting, respectful and culturally enriched, it's people, the Lepchas, the Bhutias, the Limbus, the Nepalis and others are a testament to the unique nature of interactions to be had.
A true haven for adventure enthusiasts, Sikkim packs well above its weight in options for high altitude trekking.
Landscapes
Nestled in the western region of the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim - the land of mystic beauty boasts a long list of things that make it unique. The high mountain ranges with their with magnificent snow-clad peaks and glaciers feed the rivers bringing sustenance to the plains below. Misty and high mountain passes act as doorways to the vast Tibetan plateau further north. Lush green valleys with rain and snow-fed rivers gorging in between. All across the state sweeping hills of paddy fields that change colors from green in the monsoon to golden yellow in autumn stand ripe for harvesting.
Beautiful monasteries- some more than 300 years old housing rare Buddhist religious objects, colorful prayer flags and the thousands of monks who walk the path of Dharma represent the Buddhist roots of the state.
Calm and placid lakes- some of which are holy, lie cradled between the mountains of the high Himalayas. Often freezing over in the winter months, they are fed by the melting snow. They stand scattered around the land and hold special importance to the Sikkimese people. Mt. Kanchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world standing at 8586m is revered by the locals as their protective deity and receives many mentions in folklore.
History
Legend has it that in the 8th century, a Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche, blessed and introduced Buddhism to the land on his way to Tibet and prophesized the era of monarchy which would arrive centuries later. Sikkim's history traces back to the 14th century when a Tibetan prince, Khye Bumsa traveled south below the high plateaus of Tibet following a divine revelation that would set the foundations for the Namgyal Dynasty. There he met the chieftain of the Lepchas, Thekong Thek with whom he entered into a blood brotherhood treaty at present-day Kabi Longtsok, North Sikkim.
Around 300 years later in 1642, Phuntsog Namgyal, a direct fifth-generation descendant of Khye Bumsa was consecrated as the first Chogyal or Dharma King by three elite lamas from Tibet at Norbugang in Yuksom, West Sikkim. The newly found Kingdom of Sikkim faced constant invasions from Bhutan and Nepal between 17th to 18th century during which much of Sikkim's territories were lost. With the beginning of British Raj in neighboring India, Sikkim aligned with Britain to ward off their common adversary, Nepal. The Gurkha war of 1814 waged by the then British East India Company led to treaties being signed after which much of the lost Sikkimese territories were restored.
Later in 1890, Sikkim became a British protectorate and was granted sovereignty over the next three decades. After having ruled the land for 333 years, the Namgyal dynasty came to an end when Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union in 1975.
People
Warm and friendly beyond measure, the hill folk of Sikkim with their infectious smile and welcoming attitude are an endearing bunch. The people here believe in stability over conflict and disorder. This stands visible in the coexistence of the various ethnic groups such as the Lepchas, Bhutias, Nepalis and other business communities in Sikkim. The people here live in harmony sharing each other's culture, ethos, and traditions.
All the diverse communities hold grand festivals most of which are sacred events. Some festivals depict ethnic traditions and historic moments while others relate to the new year, changing seasons and harvests. The festivals are an opportunity for people to showcase their old culture, their colorful traditional dresses, and their exotic foods.
The Sikkimese people share a close relationship with their natural environment. The Lepchas and Bhutias who were predominantly nomads used to graze their yaks and animals in the high mountain ranges and some within the two communities still do. Any unfavorable shifts in the weather pattern like wind or rain would be seen as the doing of the Mountain Gods to which they would offer prayers and burn sang (incense made of pine boughs) to appease them. Nepalis also pray and offer peace to Naag Dewta (snake god who is said to guard a patch of land) before starting any work where the presence of such of an entity is believed to exist. Many such practices are now followed by most Sikkimese irrespective of their caste and creed.
People in villages still tend to their fields and their animals, living a simple life since time immemorial. Far away from the cities and its traffic jams, pollution, and crowded avenues, these people are unspoiled by modern living. Meals are cooked with love and ingredients sourced right from the family's own vegetable farm.
In the capital city of Gangtok, the old and the new mix seamlessly. Pubs, restaurants, shopping malls exist along old monasteries and temples. People here are educated and know what the world has to offer. It seems like the city has its one foot in the new contemporary world and the other in its rich past. Honest and full of humility. people here like anywhere else have hopes and dreams of a better life but what sets them apart is their strong roots and hardy nature.