On May 16, 1975, Sikkim became India's 22nd state. Prior to that, its then PM Kazi Lhendup Dorjee requested India to elevate it from a protectorate to a state. Monarchy was abolished. A referendum established that 97.5 per cent of the Sikkimese voted to join the Indian union.
Over these last 5 decades Sikkim journeyed from a Himalayan kingdom ruled by Chogyals to a thriving democratic state, a model of cultural pride, organic farming, cleanliness, sustainable growth. Let’s get to know Sikkim.... Ashish Narsale, Rajesh Karkera and Hitesh Harisinghani offer a tour.
The Cinderella fairy tale-esque Glass Skywalk Pelling, West Sikkim, offers a wonderful view of the Chenrezig Buddha statue, one of the tallest in Sikkim... but not on a rainy, misty monsoon day.
A monastery, North Sikkim. It is estimated that Sikkim has over 200 monasteries. Some of the oldest are in North Sikkim, although two of the earliest, that date back to the 1640s and 1650s, Sanga Choeling and Pemayangtse Monasteries are in West Sikkim.
The glacial Tsomgo lake, 40 km out of Gangtok, is at 12,300 ft.
The oft-changing hues of Tsomgo lake mean a lot to Buddhist monks, who make prophecies based on its colour at any given time.
A distant valley en route to Nathula Pass.
Touristy Ravangla is located in south central Sikkim, within hitting distance of Pelling and Gangtok. Ravangla translates from Sikkimese to: A pass where sheep are reared.
A prayer wheel at the entranceway of Pemayangtse Monastery, near Pelling. Pemayangtse was established in 1647. The monks at this centuries-old shrine are chosen from Sikkim's Bhutias, an ethnic group of once Tibetan origin.
A sign on Mall Road in Gangtok. Gangtok, with 2.8 lakh population and growing, is slowly becoming one of the more hip, vibrant towns of India, with a lively dining and music scene and pub culture; McDonald's opened their first outlet in December 2024 here.
A yak rests by Tsomgo lake. Docile species of Himalayan cattle, found all over northern Asia, right upto Siberia, they are generally protected by black/brown shaggy hair; they can be white too. The cream of their milk is turned into butter, which is used to light the lamps in monasteries.
Nathu La pass is located in the Dongkya range of the eastern Himalayas on the Indo-Chinese border.
The Sleeping Buddha at Buddha Park in Ravangla. The park opened in 2013 and was planned in order to honour the 2550th anniversary of the birth of Gautama Buddha.
Sidekeong Tulku Bird Park, Rabdentse, in West Sikkim, is a popular attraction that opened in 2015.
A replica of a Char Dham on Solophok Hill, at a 7-acre pilgrimage centre in Namchi, that also boasts a 87-foot statue of Lord Shiva, a giant Nandi bull, 12 replicas of Jyotirlingas and 3 other replicas of Char Dham pilgrimage spots.
A lion guards the entrance of Jagannath Dham at Char Dham, Solophok Hill, at Namchi.
Driving to the sparsely populated but starkly beautiful North Sikkim.
Gorgeous Yumthang valley, also called Sikkim Valley of Flowers, home to beautiful blooms and blossoms in spring and summer, is in North Sikkim.
The rugged slopes of Yumthang valley are snow-covered in winter and early spring.
Yumthang is populated by cute red Himalayan panda, along with blue sheep and Himalayan langurs.
The 130-foot statue of Buddha at Buddha Park, Ravangla, is visible from miles and miles away, and was made with 60 tonnes of copper, using an embossing technique called repoussage, and unveiled in 2013.
The landscape turns alpine at Tsomgo lake in May. Rhodendrons bloom offering a riot of red. Poppies lend blues and yellows. Brahminy ducks come popping by. Nature worshippers must visit Sikkim to view the glorious Tsomgo, if nothing else.