Sikkim

Tradition and Culture of Sikkim:

The state of Sikkim is rich in culture and tradition. The state has many art and craft forms. Different tribes of the state celebrate different festivals with much joy and valor. The people of the region are very much fond of dance and music. Sikkim is a land of diverse tribes and races of people living in harmony. Sikkim is a land of unique culture and traditions. Sikkim is one of the seven north eastern states known for its exquisite bamboo and cane products, weaving and wood carving. The people of Sikkim have a special skill of crafting and making traditional bamboo and cane products. Most of the tribes are engaged in different types of handicraft making including bamboo and cane products.

Fairs and Festivals of Sikkim:

The fairs and festivals in Sikkim is a mirror of the lifestyle of the people of Sikkim. These fairs and festivals attract a large number of visitors from all over the world throughout the year. Some of the major fairs and festivals of Sikkim are:

• Saga Dawa: This festival is celebrated celebrated on the full moon day of the 4th month of the Buddhist lunar calender(May/June) by Mahayana Buddhists. The devotees offer butter lamp at the monasteries. This festival commemorates the three major events in Buddha's life – the birth of lord Buddha, attainment of enlightenment and his passing away(attaining Nirvana). 
• Drupka Teshi: This Buddhist festival is celebrated in the month of July/ August as it is believed that Buddha gave his first sermon of the four Noble truths to his five disciples on this day in Sarnath. Yak race is an interesting attraction of the festival.
• Losoong: This festival marks the end of the harvest season and is the most entertaining festival as during this festival Tsu-La-Khang monastery, Phodong monastery and Rumtek monastery come alive with cheerful Chaam dance performances. Archery competition is also held.
• Kagyed Dance Festival: This festival is celebrated in the month of December and have deep spiritual message and is entirely dedicated to dance. The Kagyed dance symbolizes the victory of good over evil. One of the ritual performed during this festival is the burning of effigies made of flour, paper and wood. The dance touches the themes from Buddhist mythology.
• Phang Lhabsol: This festival is unique in its concept. It is celebrated to worship mighty Kanchanjunga for its powers. The festival also signifies the signing of the treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias.
• Losar: It is the Tibetan New Year which is celebrated by the Sikkimese which falls normally in the month of February and celebrated with lot of zeal and enthusiasm. The Tibetan youth take to the streets on the day performing the Yak dance and throwing sampa as a way of greeting and welcoming the new year with shouts of "Tashi Delek". 
• Dasain / Dusshera/ Durga Puja: One of the most important festivals for the Nepalese Hindus, this fortnight long festival usually falls in the month of October. While Hindus around the world celebrate Durga Puja, the Nepalese observe the days as Dasain or Bijaya Dashmi. This festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It is widely believed that on this day the evil Mahisura was slain by Goddess Durga who is the embodiment of Goodness and Shakti, in a fierce duel fight.
• Tihar or Tyohar/ Diwali: This festival of lights also know as the Deepavali means "a row of lights". This festival is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama, his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana, to their kingdom after 14 years of exile. To celebrate their return, the people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit up their houses and streets with lamps and the tradition is followed till date. People also conduct Lakshmi Puja to please the Goddess of Wealth.
• Sakewa: A Lepcha festival, the day is observed with offerings of a variety of sweets and food grains to the deity of food and wealth, Kubera.
• Bhanu Jayanti: The Nepalese poet, Adhikavi Bhanu Bhakta, enjoys a demi-God status in these areas and his birth anniversary is marked with processions, poetry recitations, and seminars. Bhanu Bhakta was the first Nepalese to translate the Hindu holy book, Ramayana, into a Nepali version.
• Tendong Lho-Rum-Faat: This Lepcha festival is observed by the Lepchas to pay obeisance to the Tendong Hill which saved their tribe from annihilation in the great flood. 

Must Visiting Places In Sikkim:

• Gangtok: Gangotk the capital city of Sikkim, is nestled in the Eastern Himalayas and is one of the major tourist destinations in the state. Whether you are looking for serene beauty, lush forests, gurgling rivers or mental peace. For the nature lovers, a holiday in this scenic city is enough to fulfil all their wishes. On the other hand, for the adventure lovers, they can enjoy cable car rides, river rafting, go for mountain biking and several other activities in Gangtok.
• Yuksom: Located in the Western parts of Sikkim, Yuksom is the origin of several enthralling treks into the Himalayas or the magical Kanchenjunga. The once a capital of Sikkim, this hamlet is more known for its pristine beauty and rustic appeal. Also known as the ‘Meeting place of Three Lamas’, this Sikkimese village has recently started gaining tourism attention. Well, this is also the reason, you can expect pristine beauty and untouched nature in Yuksom. Home to the oldest monastery in Sikkim, this pictorial hamlet is one amongst the most peaceful and serene places to visit in Sikkim.
• Tsomgo Lake: On a visit to Gangtok, do not miss the chance to visit the Tsomgo Lake or the Changu Lake! Located only 38km from Sikkim’s capital, it lies at an altitude of 12,400ft and is one of the highest lakes in India. While the lake remains frozen during the winters, summer brings in a magical charm and appeal to Tsomgo. It is during this time of the year, the turquoise waters of the lake reflects the amazing views of the nearby peaks and the azure sky above!
• Nathula Pass: The once a part of the historic ‘Silk Road’, a visit to Nathu La is a must in any of the Sikkim travel packages. One of the highest motorable pass in the world, this amazing pass is located at a towering height of 4,310m above the sea level and connects Sikkim with Tibet. The pass is open to Indians; however, one has to obtain permission from the tourism department in order to visit this pass. And for the foreign national, they cannot make it to Nathu La.
• Pelling: If you are an ardent fan of the captivating Himalayan Range, Pelling is the destination for you! It is from this Sikkimese town, one can have the best views of the Himalayas and the Kanchenjunga Peak, and can experience the best of their Sikkim holidays. Located at a height of 7,200ft above the sea, this scenic town is bestowed with several waterfalls, breath-taking views, natural beauty and adventure options like rafting, kayaking, trekking, mountain biking and several others.
• Lachung: Lachung has multiple reasons to make you fall in love with it! While its location at an enthralling height of 8,610ft makes it a popular snow-destination in Sikkim, its untouched and surreal beauty makes it one of the scenic as well as charming tourist places in Sikkim. Located in the northern part of Sikkim, this quaint mountain village is adorned by the immaculate beauty of the Lachung Chu River and is also known for the Lachung Gompa. Though this village is one of the mostly visited regions in Sikkim, it still holds an alluring charm that can hardly be found in any other destinations.
• Ravangla: Nestled amidst the Maenam and Tendong Hills, Ravangla is among the best places to visit in Sikkim; especially in the southern part of the state. A scenic town between Gangtok and Pelling, this hill-town also hosts some of the most popular treks in Sikkim. More popular as a paradise for the bird watchers, it is home to some of the most rare and endangered birds in the world. On a usual visit to Ravangla, you can spot dark-throated thrush, verditre flycatchers, blue whistling thrush, babblers, cuckoos and several others.
• Rumtek Monastery: Counted amongst the largest monasteries in Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery is also one of the oldest monasteries in the state. An ode to the Buddhist cultures and traditions, this monastery is located near Gangtok and is also known as the ‘Dharma Chakra Centre’.
• Namchi: More than tourism, Namchi is more considered as a pilgrimage centre for the Buddhists. Amongst the important religious sites, the Namchi Monastery, Tendong Hill and Ralong Monasteries are the pre-dominant. The city also has a 108ft Lord Shiva statue and is visited a large number of Hindu devotees as well.
• Do-Drul Chorten: The largest Stupa in Sikkim, Do Drul Chorten was built in 1945 under the leadership of Truslshi Rimpoche. Holding a high prominence amongst all the religious sites in the state, this stupa is laced with 108 Mani Lhakor prayer wheels and is an ultimate place to connect with the essence of one’s inner-self.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Botanical Garden: Located within a close proximity with the Rumket Monastery, this lush and verdant botanical garden is the home to several rare and exotic species of plants and trees. Some of the orchids found in this garden are indigenous to only this part of the world and holds high medicinal and commercial value as well.
• Zuluk: Touching a towering height of 10,000ft, Zuluk is one of the least discovered destinations in the entire of Sikkim. Located on the ancient ‘Silk Route’, this quaint Sikkimese village takes the pride of being a vintage point to enjoy panoramic views of the Mt Kanchenjunga. In addition to the magical beauty of this hamlet, it is also popular among the adventure lovers as the ride to Zuluk takes them through 32 hair-pin bends.
• Namgyal Institute of Tibetology: Nestled amidst lush and evergreen thickets, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is an ideal centre to learn about Buddhist cultures and traditions. Established in 1958, this institute is in fact the home to the largest collection of Tibetan preaching outside Tibet, and this include relics from 11th and 12th century collected from different parts of the world.
• Yumthang Valley: A visit to Yumthang Valleys it truly a colourful affair! Located at an elevation of 3,500m, this scenic valley is the home to several exotic, rare and wild flowers. It is often said, one who visits this quintessential valley, often gets pleasantly affected by its treacherous colours and alluring beauty!Come the monsoons, the entire valley blooms at its best and displays the most enchanting colours of the nature. Primrose, cobra-lilies, louseworts and cinquefoils are some of the most commonly found species in Yumthang.
• Gurudongmar: Last, but not the least in this list is the Gurudongmar Lake! One of the highest fresh-water lakes in the world, this gorgeous place to visit in Sikkim is located at a towering height of 17,800ft and is also known as Tso Lhsmo Lake. Considered as a sacred lake, the legends say that though this lake remains frozen during the winters, one of its portion never freezes. No matter, how extreme is the weather, this certain portion blessed by Guru Padmasambhava never freezes and thus its water is considered holy by the devotees.

Cuisines of Sikkim:

The food and cuisine of Sikkim, is very famous among the diverse ethnic Himalayan cuisines. Each and every tourist destinations and shopping areas of Gangtok are packed with various restaurants and pubs. Tibetan street food is also available easily.Thukpa also known as Gya-thuk is a delicious noodle soup, used in all meal containing meat like pork, mutton, chicken, beef, also in vegetables and herbs. Rice is a staple cereal food and cuisine eaten all over the Sikkim. Along with this wheat, finger, buckwheat, millet and barley can also be found in their local diets. Meat is an important part of their traditional diet, whereas other common items are potato, soybean and some vegetables.Tibetan momos, i.e steamed wheat flour stuffed with meat or any vegetables are very popular as snacks or starters. It is eaten with sweet and spicy sauces or even dunked as a soup. Pakku, a Nepali mutton curry served with rice in Sikkim. kodo ki roti, which is a pancake made from finger millet and phapar ki roti, which is made from buckwheat are included in local breads.