Exploration of Sikkim
English Holiday Homework
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Culture of
Sikkim
• It is a composition of traditions, religions, and cultural practices from
various communities. Three tribes, the Lepchas, the Bhutias, and the
Nepalese, have lived in Sikkim since ancient times and have each
contributed to the unique cultural identity of Sikkim. A Sikkimese
culture that embraces all facets of life has been created because of
these diverse civilizations.
Bhutias
• The Bhutias, known to foster Buddhism, have a rich heritage of
festivals, music, and dances. The Losar festival, celebrated in
February, is a grand affair with colorful masks, traditional dances, and
prayers. The Kagyed Dance, performed during it, showcases the
stories of Buddhism through masked performances.
Lepchas
• The Lepchas, the indigenous people of Sikkim, are known for their
deep connection with nature. Their festivals revolve around
agriculture and harvest, with dances like the Zo Mal Lok depicting the
sowing and reaping of paddy fields. The sacred Chamling mountain is
the site of the Chamling festival, celebrated with prayers and
offerings.
Nepalese
• The Nepalese community, the largest in Sikkim, brings its own unique
cultural flavors to the state. The Maruni dance, a lively folk dance
performed by men and women, is a popular feature of festivals and
celebrations. The Tamang Selo dance, accompanied by the rhythmic
beats of the damphu, showcases the community’s love for music and
dance.
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Religious harmony
Climate Of
•
Sikkim
Sikkim’s geographical location with altitudinal variation allows it to
have tropical, temperate and alpine climatic conditions. Sikkim's
climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the north.
Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim experience temperatures
exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature
for most of Sikkim is around 18 °C (64 °F).
• Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim, experience the temperatures
seldom exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) in summer or dropping below 0 °C (32
°F) in winter. The state has five seasons: winter, summer, spring, fall,
and monsoon. The state recorded the longest period of non-stop rain.
Fog also affects many parts of the state during winter and the
monsoons, making transportation extremely perilous.
• Summers in Sikkim stay from March – April and aren’t as harsh as
everywhere else in India. The weather remains pleasant with an
average temp of 10-15 degrees. During this time, one can also enjoy
the flower festival. Summer is warm and moderate and is the ideal
season for trekking where you can see blooming rhododendrons and
orchids all around in this beautiful Himalayan kingdom.
• the monsoon in Sikkim takes the form of rain during the months from
May till September while July be the wettest of all. Around 600-700
mm of rainfall takes place here each month. It is classified into two
types i.e., Summer rains and Winter rains. Southern Part of Sikkim
sees summer rains, whereas Northern part foresees latter during
August and September. The highest annual rainfall for the individual
station may exceed 5000 mm. and average number of rainy days
ranges from 100 in north Sikkim to 184 in east Sikkim.
• Snowfall in Sikkim lies between January and March. Sikkim is home to
one of the tallest peaks in the world, Kanchenjunga, where the 3
temperature falls as low as -32° C. Sikkim is one of the few states in
Soil And Crops
• Sikkim mainly consist of gneissose and half-schistose rocks, making
their soil brown clay, and generally poor and shallow. The soil is
coarse, with large amounts of iron oxide concentrations, ranging
from neutral to acidic and has poor organic and mineral nutrients.
This type of soil tends to support evergreen and deciduous forests. A
large portion of the Sikkim territory is covered by the rocks highly
susceptible to weathering and erosion. This causes extensive soil
erosion and heavy loss of soil nutrients through leaching. As a
result, landslides are frequent, isolating the numerous small towns
and villages from the major urban centers.
• Agriculture is the main occupation of the inhabitants. Agriculture in
Sikkim seems to be the basis of the socio-cultural pattern of the
territory.
• When the Bhutias came and settled in Sikkim they started practicing
a semi-pastoral form of farming. The Bhutias practiced economy or
sedentary farming within the territory of Sikkim. It is only due to the
Nepali immigrants that agriculture started within Sikkim.
• Sikkim has a fertile land that largely supports agriculture. The
topography and the climatic condition of Sikkim is favorable for
agriculture at Sikkim. Therefore, Sikkim witnesses a high yield every
year. Among the chief crops grown in Sikkim are Wheat, Paddy,
Maize, Barley, Buck wheat, Cardamom, Potatoes, Tea, etc.
• Sikkim produces the highest amount of Cardamom in India.
Cardamom is among the two cash crops of Sikkim, besides potato.
Another important aspect is that Sikkim produces a special variety
of tea that is known for its taste and quality throughout the world.
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Festivals
• Sonam Lochar: It is celebrated as the New Year by the Tamang Community in the state.
The Tamangs celebrate this auspicious day with great joy and fervor.
• Losar: the Tibetan New Year as per the lunar calendar, is celebrated across the state with
great enthusiasm and gaiety.
• Sakewa: Sakewa is a festival celebrated by Kirat Khambu Rai community of Sikkim. It is
also known as the Bhoomi or Chandi puja. The festival begins usually in April/May.
• Saga Dawa: Saga Dawa is the most important religious day for the Buddhists as The day
marks the birth, attainment of enlightenment and parinirvana of Lord Buddha.
• Drukpa Tshechi: Drukpa Tsechi is the day on which Lord Buddha gave his first teachings to
his first five disciples at Sarnath.
• Guru Rinpoche’s Thrungkar Tshechu: Guru Rinpoche’s Thrungkar Tshechuis the birth
anniversary of our patron saint Lord Padmasambhava.
• Tendong Lho Rum Faat: Tendong Lho Rum Faat is one of the oldest and most important
festivals celebrated in Sikkim by the Lepcha community. According to the Lepchas, Mt.
Tendong had saved the Lepcha people during a great deluge which flooded the entire
Mayel Lyang (Sikkim). The Lepchas celebrate this occasion to pay respect to Mount
Tendong.
• Pang Lhabsol: Pang Lhabsol is a festival unique to Sikkim and is performed every year to
pay tribute, honour and to propitiate the protective guarding deities of Sikkim, especially
Mount Khangchendzonga, the guardian deity of Sikkim.
• Lhabab Dhuechen: Lhabab dhuechen is observed to mark the descent of Lord Buddha
from heaven back to earth. He had left earth at the age of 41 to give teachings s to
benefit the gods and to repay the kindness of this mother by liberating her from samsara.
• Teyongsi Sirijunga Sawan Tongnam: Teyongsi Sirijunga Sawan Tongnam marks the birth
anniversary of Limboo revivalist and scholar Teyongsi Sirijunga.
• Barahimizong: Barahimizong is observed and celebrated by the Mangar community to
worship their forefathers.
• Kagyed Dance: Kagyed Dance is the post harvest masked dance to ward off evil and bring
good fortune in the coming year. It symbolizes the destruction of evil forces by burning
effigies made of wood, flour and paper.
• Losoong/Namsoong: Losoong/Namsoong is the Sikkimese New Year which marks the end
of harvest season. The Lepchas celebrate the occasion as Namsoong while the Sikkimese
Bhutias call it the Losoong. The celebrations start and continue for a week.
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• Tamu Lochar: Tamu Lochar is the New Year of the Gurung community and is celebrated
every year in Sikkim. It marks the change of animal sign (lho) for the Gurung community.
Cuisine
1. Momo (Dumplings): Believed to be of Tibetan
origin, the momos are the lifeline of Sikkim.
Momo's are steamed buns with a filling. It typically
consists of two parts - the cover and the filling.
The cover is made of dough of white flour and
water. The filing can be of any kind- From Tofu
(Paneer) to cheese, everything can be included in
it.
2. Thukpa or Gya Thuk: Thukpa is a kind of noodle
soup that has found its way to being one of the
most loved food in Sikkim. One can find
both vegetarian and chicken versions of the dish.
One can find carrots, bell peppers, spinach,
cauliflower and celery in the soup. Thukpa is
available in almost every cafe and restaurant, but
it is better to try it from a local vendor as they
provide you with the best and most authentic
taste that you can find.
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Cuisine
3. Dhindo: Prepared by boiling water and slowly
pouring in buckwheat, ground millet or corn flour.
The mixture is then continuously stirred until a
sticky paste is formed and is then rolled into balls,
dipped into lentil soup or chutney and swallowed
since the millets stick between the teeth. This dish
is consumed daily in Sikkim.
4. Sel Roti: Sel Roti is a traditional ring-shaped
deep-fried bread that is made from fermented rice
and lentil batter, known for its unique texture and
flavor. The batter is poured by hand into circular
molds and deep-fried until golden and crispy. The
resulting Sel Roti has a crispy exterior and a
slightly spongy interior. Sel Roti is enjoyed during
festive occasions and served as a snack or
appetizer with pickles. It holds cultural
significance, being a part of celebrations and
cherished for its taste and texture.
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