Sikkim

Sikkim


Sikkim - Darjeeling Tours and Treks

Sikkim (also Denzong) which means Rice cultivated area, is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. It is the least populous state in India, and the second-smallest in area after Goa. The thumb-shaped state borders Nepal in the west, Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and east, and Bhutan in the southeast. The Indian state of West Bengal borders Sikkim to its south. The official language of the state is English, but there is a sizable population that converses in Nepali (the lingua franca of the state), Lepcha, Bhutia, and Limbu. It is the only state in India with an ethnic Nepalese majority. It is an ancient land also known as Indrakil, the garden of Indra, the king-god of heaven in Hindu religious texts. The predominant religions are Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. Gangtok is the capital and largest town.

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Despite its small area of 2,745 sq mi (7,096 km2), Sikkim is geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas. The climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine. Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, is located in the northwestern part of the state on the boundary with Nepal, and can be seen from most parts of the state. Sikkim is a popular tourist destination for its culture, scenic beauty and biodiversity.

Origin of name: The most widely accepted origin of the name Sikkim is that it is a combination of two words in the Limbu Su, which means "new", and Khyim, which means "palace" or house, in reference to the palace built by the state's first ruler, Phuntsog Namgyal. The Tibetan name for Sikkim is Denjong, which means the "valley of rice".[The Lepchas, original inhabitants of Sikkim called it Nye-mae-el or paradise and the Bhutias call it Beymul Demazong, which means the hidden valley of rice.


Fact of Sikkim:

Sikkim: 22nd State of India
Capital: Gangtok
District: Mangan, Gangtok, Gyalsing & Namchi
Area: 7,096 Sq. Kms
Location: 27 deg. North, 88 deg. East (Approx)
Climate: Tropical, Temperate & Alpine
Mountains: Mt. Khanchendzonga - 8585m
People: Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali & Plainsmen
Language: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Hindi & English
Religion: Hinduism, Buddhism & Christianity
Population: 5, 50,000 (Approx)
State Flower: Nobile Orchid
State Animal: Red Panda
State Bird: Blood Pheasant
State Tree: Rhododendron
Nearest airport: Bagdogra (Bhadrapur & Biratnagar in Nepal) near Siliguri
Railhead: New Jalpaiguri near Siliguri.