OFF TO SIKKIM BY Armaan Mittal

Sikkim has beautiful

INTRODUCTION mountains which are

part of the Himalayas. It
also has a lot of trees.
WHY IS IT
IMPORTANT?
Sikkim is in the north-east of
India and is one of India’s
smallest states. It is very
important as it’s got a long
international border that it
shares with other countries.
FOREIGN
NEIGHBOURS
Sikkim may be small but it has
plenty of neighbours to keep it
company. Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal,
and the state of West Bengal
surround this little state.
LIKE A BASIN

Sikkim is shaped a little like a

basin, with steep, high mountains
on three sides. There is hardly
any flat land here, and if you
were to walk, you would be
climbing hills and valleys even in
the lowest part of the state.
That’s not all! The rising
mountains are quite sudden. You
may unexpectedly reach a
mountainside that rises sharply
to a great height.
INDIA’S
HIGHEST PEAK
Kanchenjunga, also known as K2
said to be India’s highest peak
and the third highest in the
world, is in Sikkim. It’s an
awesome sight, and many
people have tried climbing it.
MANY RANGES

A range named the Singalila

Range forms a wall between
Sikkim and Nepal, and another-
named Dongkya separates Tibet
from Sikkim. There are many
passes in these mountains that
people have been using for
centuries to cross from one side
to the other.
ROARING
RIVERS
The main river that rushes down
the mountains and flows
through the valleys is the
Teesta. It has many tributaries
that have intriguing names, like
Rangit, Talung, Lhonak and
Lachung. These rivers cut deep
slices into the mountains and
create valleys.
LAKES AND
GLACIERS
Thanks to the snow-capped
mountains, there are several
beautiful lakes and glaciers in
Sikkim. The natural beauty here
is stunning, and people come
from all over the world to go
trekking. Some of these glaciers
feed the rivers that come
rushing down the mountainside.
CLIMATE

The climate here can get very,

very cold, with temperatures
dropping below freezing point.
January is the coldest month,
and you are almost certain to
see snow in many places.
August is the warmest, but it’s
still not really hot. It rains too,
especially between May and
October.
FORESTS
APLENTY
A large part of Sikkim is covered
with thick forests. There are two
kinds of forests-sub-tropical
forests, with trees and plants
like sal, bamboo, fern, orchids
and pandanus; and temperate
forests, with trees like birch,
maple, hemlock and chestnut.
You don’t find these in too many
places in India.
DID YOU
KNOW?
The legendary creature called
the Abominable Snowman(That
locals call Yeti) is said to roam
the slopes of this state. People
claim to have spotted giant
footprints that they believe must
belong to this mysterious
creature.
AWESOME
ANIMALS
There are some amazing
animals in Sikkim. Tigers,
Leopards, Brown Bears, Red
Pandas, Tibetan Antelope and
various species of deer-Sikkim is
a haven for wildlife. There are
wonderful and rare birds too
that you might spot, like
barbets, Himalayan Cuckoos,
Eagles, Minivets and Partridges.
Sikkim has many national parks,
where these lovely creatures
can roam safe and free.
FUN FACTS
 State Animal:- Red Panda
 State Bird:- Blood Pheasant
 State Flower:- Nobile Orchid
 State Tree:- Rhododendron
CROP HOP

Even though Sikkim has so many

hills, valleys and mountains, the
most important occupation here is
farming. Farmers have carved out
fields that look like terraces along
mountainsides, where they grow
crops(like corn, rice and
buckwheat), vegetables (like
ginger and potatoes) and fruits.
Sikkim is one of the largest
producers of cardamom in the
world.
GANGTOK

This is the capital city of Sikkim. It is an

important pilgrimage spot for Buddhists
because there is an ancient monastery
here- Enchey Monastery. This city was
also important in the past because
traders often halted here while on the
trade route between Tibet and India.
YUKSOM

This ancient town was once the capital of

this region. People say that the first king
of Sikkim was crowned here. This town is
also the base from where many
mountaineers set off on adventurous
expeditions as they try to scale the
Himalayas.
A HOME OF
TRIBES
People believe that the Naong, Chang
and Mon tribes were the early settlers in
these mountains. Then came a strong
tribe called the Lepchas. The Lepchas
integrated all the existing tribes and
became the main tribe. They were a
simple, peace-loving tribe, who lived
close to nature and worshipped nature
gods. They cultivated land and grew
crops.
CULTURE AND
TRADITIONS
1) Lepcha Heritage
The Lepcha people, the indigenous inhabitants
of Sikkim, have a rich cultural heritage, known
for their unique language, customs, and
traditional art forms.
2) Buddhist Influence
Buddhism has a profound influence on
Sikkimese culture, with numerous monasteries
and religious festivals that celebrate Buddhist
traditions.
3) Warm Hospitality
Sikkim is known for its warm and welcoming
people. They are known for their kindness and
hospitality, offering a genuine and enriching
cultural experience to visitors.
FOOD
The food of Sikkim reflects a unique blend of
Nepalese, Tibetan, and Bhutanese influences,
shaped by the state’s diverse culture and cold
mountainous climate. Rice is a staple in most
meals, often accompanied by side dishes like
curries and pickles. Popular dishes include
momos, which are steamed or fried dumplings
filled with vegetables, meat, or cheese, served
with spicy chutney or soup, and thukpa, a
hearty noodle soup perfect for the cold weather.
Phagshapa, a tangy and spicy dish made with
pork, radishes, and chilies, is another favorite.
Fermented foods play an important role in
Sikkimese cuisine, with specialties like gundruk
and sinki (fermented greens and radish), and
chhurpi, a traditional cheese made from yak or
cow's milk. Vegetarian delicacies such as dal
bhat (lentil soup with rice) and sel roti (a rice-
based doughnut) are widely enjoyed. Beverages
like tongba, a warm millet-based alcoholic drink,
are also integral to the local diet. Sikkimese
cuisine is known for its variety of tangy and
spicy pickles made from radish, bamboo shoots,
CLOTHING
The clothing of Sikkim reflects the cultural diversity of
its ethnic communities, primarily the Lepchas, Bhutias,
and Nepalese. Each group has its distinct traditional
attire, blending heritage with functionality suited to the
mountainous terrain. The Lepcha men wear a traditional
outfit called Thokro-Dum, which consists of a white
pajama-like lower garment, a shirt, and a multicolored
striped waistcoat, while the women wear a dress called
Dumvum, a long fabric draped around the body and
fastened with a belt, paired with a blouse. Bhutia men
wear a loose, ankle-length garment called Bakhu, tied at
the neck and waist with a belt, usually paired with
trousers and high boots. Bhutia women also wear the
Bakhu, but in a more feminine style, layered over a silk
blouse called Honju and secured with a belt, often
accessorized with a silk scarf known as Khada. The
Nepalese community typically wears Daura Suruwal for
men and Gunyo Cholo for women, symbolizing their rich
cultural heritage. Traditional clothing in Sikkim is often
adorned with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and
accessories, reflecting the state’s vibrant cultural
identity and harmony with its natural environment.
LANGUAGE

Sikkim is linguistically diverse,

with Nepali as the most widely
spoken language and the lingua
franca. Other official languages
include Lepcha, Bhutia,
Limbu, Tamang, Rai, Sherpa,
and Gurung, reflecting the
state's ethnic diversity. English
is also an official language and
widely used for education and
administration.