Sikkim

In Sikkim the tourists can find the most fascinating sights, sounds and feelings. Sikkim is a dream that one can realize and enjoy, moreover the area is open to all. It is a state filled with the mystery of remoteness, and far away from the din and bustle of the modern world. The state is bordered by Nepal to the west, China’s Tibet Autonomous region to the north and east, and Bhutan to the east; the Indian state of west Bengal lies to the south. The state is spread below Mount Kanchenjunga (8,534 m), the third highest peak in the world. The locals worship the mountain as a protecting deity. The least populous state in India is Sikkim and the second-smallest state after Goa in total area, covering approximately 7,096 km2.Sikkim is nonetheless geographically diverse due to its location in the Himalayas; the climate ranges from subtropical to high alpine, and Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak, is located on Sikkim’s border with Nepal. Sikkim is a popular tourist destination, for to its culture, scenery and biodiversity. It also has the only open land border between India and China. Sikkim’s capital and largest city is Gangtok.

The name Sikkim is a combination of two Limbu words: su, which means “new”, and khyim, which means “palace” or “house”. The name is believed to be a reference to the palace built by the state’s first ruler, Phuntsog Namgyal. The Tibetan name for Sikkim is Denjong, which means “valley of rice”, while the Bhutia’s call it Beyul Demazong,”the hidden valley of rice”. The Lepcha people, the original inhabitants of Sikkim, called it Nye-mae-el, meaning “paradise”. In Hindu religious texts, Sikkim is known as Indrakil, the garden of the war god Indra.

Sikkim is a small mountain state in eastern Himalayas. It is bounded by Tibet on the north, Nepal on the west, Bhutan on the east and West Bengal lies to its south. It is the least populous state in the union. Sikkim is a land of rich and varied scenic beauty, magnificent mountains, eternal snows, dark forests, green fertile valleys, raging torrents and calm, placid lakes. Her magnificent variety of flora and fauna are the naturalist’s dream; the steep variations in elevation and rainfall give rise to a glorious multitude of species within a comparatively limited area. The Himalayan Mountains surround the northern, eastern and western borders of Sikkim. The Lower Himalayas, lying in the southern reaches of the state, are the most densely populated. The state has 28 mountain peaks, more than 80 glaciers, 227 high-altitude lakes (including the Tsomgo, Gurudongmar and Khechiopalri lakes), five major hot springs, and more than 100 rivers and streams. Eight mountain passes connect the state to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal.

Sikkim’s hot springs are renowned for their medicinal and Therapeutic values. Among the state’s most notable hot springs are those at Phurchachu,Yumthang, Borang, Ralang, Taram-chu and Yumey Samdong. The springs, which have high sulphur content, are located near river banks; some are known to emit hydrogen. The average temperature of the water in these hot springs is 50 °C (122 °F).