Sikkim, one of the smallest states in india. located in northeast India, bordered by Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. Gangtok is capital of Sikkim, Part of the Himalayas, the area has a dramatic landscape that includes India’s highest mountain, 8,586m Kangchenjunga. Sikkim is also home to glaciers, alpine meadows and thousands of varieties of wildflowers. Steep paths lead to hilltop Buddhist monasteries such as Pemayangtse, which dates to the early 1700s. An important centre of Tibetan,Buddhism, best time to visit Sikkim is from September to June except monsoon.
Surronded by lush green mountains the picturesque town is also a hub for visiting nearby places in Sikkim, all within a days trip. The state is famous for dazzling waterfalls, virgin forests, Tibetan style Buddhist Gompas, alpine meadows, rhododendron flowers and more. 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.
vvf Almost 35% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1975, after the Indian Army took over the city of Gangtok, a referendum was held that led to the deposition of the monarchy and Sikkim joining India as its 22nd state. Sikkim accounts for the largest share of cardamom production in India, and is the world’s second largest producer of the spice after Guatemala. 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.
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). The Lepchas are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Sikkim. Sikkim is situated in an ecological hotspot of the lower Himalayas, one of only three among the ecoregions of India. The forested regions of the state exhibit a diverse range of fauna and flora. Owing to its altitudinal gradation, the state has a wide variety of plants, from tropical species to temperate, alpine and tundra ones, and is perhaps one of the few regions to exhibit such a diversity within such a small area.
Nearly 81 per cent of the area of Sikkim comes under the administration of its forest department. Because of its hilly terrain and poor transport infrastructure, Sikkim lacks a large-scale industrial base. In recent years, the government of Sikkim has extensively promoted tourism. Sikkim did not have any operational airport because of its rough terrain. but in October 2018, Pakyong Airport, the state’s first airport, became operational National Highway 10 is the only road link ad there are no rail lines but plans exist to connect it with ail line.
Sikkim’s Nepalese majority celebrate all major Hindu festivals, including Tihar (Diwali) and Dashain (Dashera). Traditional local festivals, such as Maghe Sankranti, Sakela , Chasok Tangnam and Bhimsen Puja, are popular.[131] Losar, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen, Drupka Teshi and Bhumchu are among the Buddhist festivals celebrated in Sikkim. During the Losar (Tibetan New Year), most offices and educational institutions are closed for a week. Sikkimese Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr and Muharram. Christmas has been promoted in Gangtok to attract tourists during the off-season. Besides visiting places across the state including Romtekl monastery there are lots of things to do in Sikkim for nature l;overs and adventure seekers. The state has something for everyone
