Sikkim is a beautiful and an enchanting state that boasts immense natural beauty and has become one of the leading holiday destinations in the country.
A former Kingdom and a fascinating Himalayan Jewel, Sikkim is situated in Eastern Himalayas spreading below Mount Kanchenjunga (8,534m), the third highest mountain in the world. Lying between 27 to 28 degree North latitude and 88 to 89 degree East longitude, it is barely 7,096 sq. km in size yet has an elevation ranging from 224 m to 8,540 m above sea level in a distance of 110 km from North to South and 64 km from East to West.
The state’s about 64 km width is squeezed between the mountainous kingdoms of Bhutan and Nepal to the east and west respectively. The high plateau of Tibet lies 40 km to the north India’s and state of Bengal to its south.
Sikkim Travel will guide you about the famous tourist places of sikkim so you can opt for the best tour packages of Sikkim. Here you will find the number of Sikkim tours including trekking in sikkim, wildlife of sikkim etc. Also you get the information about sikkim hotels and sikkim tourism.
State of India since 1975
Capital:Gangtok Neighbouring countries:Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal
Area:7096 km2 Alevation:300m - 8590m Climate:Subtropical - Tundra Population:550.000 Languages :English, Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha State religion:Buddhism Ethnic groups:Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali
Best time to Visit Sikkim:Mid-March to Mid May (Spring) | Mid Sept to December (Autumn)
The entire state lies on hills and mountain ranges. One of the most fascinating and holy of these is Mt. Kanchendzonga, with 8598m the third highest mountain in the world. The Sikkimese people honour the mountains as symbolising the abode of their protecting deity. Amongst the most important festivals of Sikkim is the worship of the snow ranges of Mt. Kanchendzonga. It involves a ritual dance attended by villagers and lamas wearing fiery-red masks with a crown of five skulls, riding a snow lion to the sound of quaint musical instruments.
Originally Sikkim was the home of the Lepchas, a gental ethnic tribe. They were mostly animists, having affinities with some tribes on India's north-eastern borders with Myanmar. They were few in numbers when the vast empty spaces and green valleys of their land attracted Tibetan immigrants. The Tibetans started settling in Sikkim from about the thirteenth century.
It was during the middle of the seventeenth century that the Namgyal dynasty was first established in Sikkim. Their king's traditional title was 'Chogyal` or `king who rules according to the divine law.
The immigration of Nepalese during the 19th century into Sikkim altered the entire character of the kingdom. As to the population growth in Nepal a continuous overflow into the adjoining areas of Sikkim started. At present the Nepali community represents the largest ethnic group within Sikkimese society.
