Beauty of Sikkim

India is as diverse as it is vast. It is also a country that sees many cultures come together, celebrating their differences and living in harmony. Similarly, there are varied locations in India that emphasize the beauty and diversity of the country.

 Sikkim is a state in northeast India, bordered by Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. 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.

The most beautiful part of Sikkim! At 3500 meters above sea level, beyond the tree line, where no trees grow, is the valley of flowers at Yumthang. Feels like a heavenly place, full of flowers.  

Occupation : Sikkim exhibits diverse climatic conditions from tropical moist to temperate and alpine zones. Agriculture is the primary occupation of the inhabitants of the state. The major crops of the state include rice, maize, tea, soybean, ginger, orange, pears, potato and tomato.

Dress : There are different styles according to which men and women of Sikkim wear this traditional attire. For instance, men wear Bakhu with a pair of loose trousers fastened with a leather belt. Women belt this outfit over a silk blouse which is full sleeved, ethnically known as honju.

Food : 

• Chhurpi - A traditional cheese. 
• Gya thuk or Thukpa - is a noodle based soup with vegetables or meat. 
• Momo - stuffing minced meat, vegetables or cheese in flour dough and then making them into dumplings. 
• Phagshapa - is strip of pork fat stewed with radishes and dried chillies.

Festivals: Some of the most popular festivals, notable in Sikkim are Losoong, Drupka Teshi, Bumchu, Saga Dawa, Dassin and Phang Lhabsol. 

Saga Dawa : Saga Dawa is an amazing festival that is triple blessed. This is a very sacred Buddhist festival, especially for the Mahayana Buddhists.

Hand work: Hand embroidery on Market Place garments is an important factor in enabling women to work and earn a living.  Because they are also responsible for running their households, including shopping for food, cooking, cleaning, and childcare, they need to be able to work from home.  Embroidery work can be fitted in around their other obligations.

•  Carpet Weaving 
  

 Sikkimese' practice of weaving is probably the oldest form of carpet weaving in the world. The women of the Bhutia community are said to be expert carpet weavers. The traditional pattern of weaving requires a frame loom. The exclusive manner of weaving, by the hard-working artisans of Sikkim, appears in the designs of striking carpets.

• Wood Carving

The wood carving in Sikkim is symbolic of true art of India. Throughout Sikkim, one can trace monasteries and buildings, festooned with symbols and icons carved in wood. The mask dance of Sikkim is also portrayed in wood carvings. You can find superb masks made out of wood and papier-mâché. Pemayangtse Monastery is a fine specimen of carved wooden sculptures and wood carvings.

Language : Sikkim is a culturally and linguistically diverse state. It has 11 official languages with a total population of just 6.19 lakhs. That is approx 1 language per 52000 people on average. But you do not have to know all the eleven languages.

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