As a child, I always dreamt of being a writer. While my friends fantasized about being astronauts , doctors and engineers , I wished I could weave stories that would give wings to the imaginations of those who read them. I wrote often, but mostly for myself or my friends. It was only after I was given this oppurtunity by my faculty to begin with this blog writing that I explored myself and a beautiful state more.
Let the beauty of East and North East India cast a spell on you. With our Sikkim Gangtok Tour, we help you embark on a journey of two most soulful destinations in India. This place allows you to take up an adventure that though slowly but with certainity turns out to be an unforgettable travel experience. Bask in the lap of nature under the warm sun we could catch the view of some of the most romantic sunrises and sunsets , observe the slow-paced yet content lifestyle of the locals , marvel at the scenic vistas of mighty Himalayan Mountains which imbibe the Buddhist culture as well as treat your taste buds with the local food.
Begin your tour with visiting India’s most beautiful and not so explored places Sikkim.
Sikkim has many hot springs known for their therapeutic value. High in Sulphur content, the waters are believed to have great medicinal properties with the average temperature of the water in these hot springs close to 50c and so it has been a favourite haunt for many around the world.
.
The summer season between March and June is the best time to visit Sikkim.
WHY VISIT SIKKIM?
A very basic question that pops up in our minds.
For uninterrupted view of Mt Khangchendzonga , Buddhist pilgrimage tour , adventure activities like trekking, mountaineering and river rafting, high altitude lakes and mountain passes, opulent culture , rejuvenation, honeymoon, fairs & festivals and gastronomic treat.
Sikkim’s Nepalese majority celebrate all major Hindu festivals, including Diwali and Dussera. Traditional local festivals, such as Maghe Sankranti and Bhimsen Puja, are popular. Losar, Loosong, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen, Drupka Teshi and Bhumchu are among the Buddhistfestivals celebrated in Sikkim.
*CULTURE*
The people of Sikkim have a rich heritage culture with a homogenous blend of different religion, customs and traditionsof different communities of people living.
They are generally characterised as warm and friendly in nature. Inspite of so many communities occupying the state , they still live in peace and harmony.
Even small festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion.
There are social or relegious gatherings or celebrations which cannot miss out the music and dance of the people of Sikkim.
The mask dance is very famous here and is performed by the monks in the temple during religious festivals. The monks cover themselves with gaily-painted masks , ceremonial swords and sparkling jewels where they dance on the sound of resounding drums , trumpeting horns and religious chanting.
Their settlements are quite small for each hut in a village is made of bamboo and is raised about 5 ft above the ground on stilts.
*CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS*
On any religious festival and occasions the monks of the temple cover themselves with masks. The people from Silkim who follow the Mahayana form of Buddhism celebrate the festivam of Saga Dawa which is supposed to be very auspicious . On this particular day people go to the monasteries and worship offering butter lamps. There are also processions arranged by the monks and they go around the town of gangtok reading and singing the Holy scriptures.
Some of the common festivals celebrated by the people living here are Saga Dawa , Losoong , Namsoong , Labab Duchen , Kagyat Dance , Yuma sam Manghim , etc.
*Famous For*
The Sikkimese are known for their traditional sport of archery which is played especially after the harvest. Thsi is one of the ancient sport practiced by the people rejuvenating the cultural identity of the region. The players cannot play the sport wearing normal dresses but they will have to wear their traditional attire named as kho.
In some villages, a ritual of buryinh te effigies of the opponents is also practiced as that is believed as an influctor of bad luck to the opponent.
*COSTUMES*
The men belonging to the Lepcha community wear a white pajama, stretching to the calves and this is called as Thokro-Dum. The men wear a shirt and a cap commonly known as Yenthatse and Shambo respectively. The costume if Bhutia men is similar to that of Lepcha which is known as Bakhu which is like a long robe and tied to the neck on one side and with a silk or cotton belt at the waist. On top of all this they prefer a waist coat , Jya Jya.
The married women of this community aprt from their regular costume wear a stripy apron known as Pangden. They are quite crazy about gold ornaments. The blouse is loose and is fastened from four sides and hence called as Chaubandi cholo.
*CUISINE*
The food of the people of Sikkimreflects the culture of the state which is a blend of Nepal , India , Bhutan and Tibet.
Rice is the staple food of the people of the state. Meat and dairy products also form a part of theor daily meal. Generally fermented food, vegetables and beverages are very much liked by the people.
Alcohol is very much popular among the people of Sikkim.
*OCCUPATION*
Agriculture is the major occupation of the people of Sikkim. They grow cardamom , ginger and tea.
Apart from this the other principal crops grown here include mandarin orange , guava , mango , banana and turmeric.
Tourism also forms the backbone of Sikkim economy.
Aqua culture is an economicactovity particularly in the context of enabling the rural people.
You might be well rested and fresh but the roads of Sikkim truly have the last laugh. The Pelling-Bagdogra road is one of the worst we encountered in Sikkim and that’s saying something.
Prefer starting early and leaving aside at least 9 hours to cover this stretch of 140 kilometres. Gravel roads, potholes, squelchy soil – there’s nothing you won’t encounter here! I am by no means dissuading you, just providing a reality check.
So leave in time and relish the memories of Gurudongmar’s dancing waters, seductive waterfalls, panoramas that wouldn’t be out of place in a fairytale, and the cutest and friendliest locals as you board your flight back home.
In the end I would just suggest you all..
Once a year go to a place you have never visited before!
Explore the beauty of this world.
I hope my piece of writing helped you to know more about Sikkim. So what are you thinking..go plan a trip to Sikkim for your next vacations!
mittus blog 