In limbu language su means ‘new’ & ‘khyim’ means
‘palace’ or house, in reference to the palace built
by the states first ruler, phuntsok namgyal.
The earliest recorded event of the buddist saint ‘guru
rinpoche’ was around 8th century. In the 14 century,
according to legend, khye bumsa, a prince from the
miyank house in kham in eastern Tibet were later
form the royal family of sikkim. In 1642, the fifth
generation descendants of khey bumsa, ‘phuntsog
namgyal’ was consecrated as the first chogyal (king)
of sikkim by the three venerated lamas of north,
west and south to yuksom, making the beginning of
the monarchy.
In 1817, the Gurkha war resulting entrance of british
east India company came to power.In 1947, a popular
vote rejected sikkims joining the union of India.
Sikkim was to be a Tributory of India, in which
India controlled its external affairs, defence,
diplomacy and communication. once a protectorate of
India with a monarchy government but metamorphosed
as the 22nd state of the Indian Union in the year
1975.
Sikkim has four districts, east sikkim, west sikkim,
north sikkim and south sikkim. Many areas are
restricted by Army and permits are needed to visit
them. Compaired to other Indian roads are
drastically better. The roads are maintained by the
border roads organization, an offshoot of the Indian
Army. Due to rough terrain there is only bagdora
Airport, near the town of siliguri, west Bengal. The
closest railway station is new jalpaiguri. National
highway 31A links siliguri to gangtok. The
population of the state is only 4,20,000 as per the
last census.
Situated in the Eastern Himalayas, this beautiful
state of sikkim is sandwiched between the kingdom of
Nepal in the West and Bhutan in the East, Tibet in
the North and the state of West Bengal in the South.
With an area of 7,300 sq. kms, measuring 115 kms
from north to south and 65 kms. From East to West,
the elevation ranging from 244 mts to over 8550
mts., above sea level. The thumb shaped state of
sikkim is characterized by wholly mountainous
terrain. The summit of the kanchenjunga is the
highest point.
The average annual temperature for most of sikkim is
around 18o c. The climate of the state has been
roughly divided into the tropical, temperature and
alphine zones. For most of the period in a a year,
the climate is cold and humid as rainfall occurs in
each month. Pre-monsoon rain occurs in April-May and
monsoon (south-west) operates normally from the
month of May and continues up to early October.
During the monsoon months, the state is lashed by
heavy rains that increase the number of land slides
& Fog is a common feature in the entire state from
May to September making transportation extremely
perilous. Sikkim is one of the few states in India
to receive regular snowfall.
The economy of sikkim mainly based on agricultural on
terraced slopes method and animal hushandry. Because
of the hilly terrain and lack of reliable
transportation infrastructure, there are no large
scale industries. Breweries, distilleries, tanning
and watch making are the main industries The femal
participation rate in sikkim is also much higher
than the national average. Sikkim has a number of
hydroelectric power stations, providing a steady
electricity source. The past one and half decade has
witnessed a tremendous upward swing in various
development programme giving a new thrust to the
sikkim economy. This process has increased wage
employment opportunities. Adventure tourism and
nature tourism are on the rise in sikkim.
The entire Himalayan region is endowed with natural
flora and fauna, and is a natural paradise for
nature lovers, convervationists, botanists,
zoologists and environmentalists. Many medicinal
plants/herbs/and important shrubs are found in low
and high altitude areas. Under economic geology the
minerals like copper, iron, lime,
dolomite/limestone, coal, quartzite and tale,
silicate & graphite are available in the state.
Garnet is abundant in the gneiss and mica schists at
places. Sikkim has many ‘hot springs’ known for
medicinal and kherapeutic values have high sulphur
content and are located near the river banks. The
average temperature of the water in these hot
springs is 500 c.
In lower altitudes orchids, figs, laurel, bananas, sal
trees and bamboo, oaks, chestnuts, maples, birchs,
magnolias, juniper, pine, firs, cypresses is
typically found. The fauna includes the snow
leopard, Himalayan black bear, red panda, barking
deer, common langur, yaks. In birds, golden eagles,
quails, plovers, wood cock, sandpipers, pigeons,
babblers and robins. There is a vast potential for
hydro-electric power generation. Tourism development
deserves consideration to add to the economy of the
region.
Nepali is in major, English & Hindi are also spoken
and understood in most of sikkim. Hindi songs &
Nepali music have gained wide acceptance among the
masses. Along with hindu diwali and dussera, losar,
loosong, saga dawa, lhabab duechen, drupka tesshi
and bhumchu are Buddhist festivals also celebrated.
Noodle base dishes are common in sikkim. Beer,
whiskey, rum and brandy are consumed by many
sikkimise as alchohol is cheap due to low excise
duty in sikkim. Amidst the grandeur of the mountain
peaks, lush green valleys cascading waterfalls and
fast flowing rivers, beautiful monasteries and
terraced hills, sikkim offers her visitor a rare and
exotic experience.
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