Sikkim Travel

In pre-historic times, Sikkim was inhabited by 3 tribes viz., Naong, Chang and the Mon. The Lepchas entered Sikkim later and absorbed them completely. They resorted to the practice of electing a leader whose advice & counsil was sought on crucial matters & followed.

The Tibetan migration in early 17th century led the Lepchas to shift their habitats so as to avoid conflict. Meanwhile they struggle among the followers of the "Yellow Hats" & the "Red Hats" in Tibet forced the latter to seek refuge in Sikkim, where they attained the status of aristocracy & gradually dominated the State.

In order to avoid any possible opposition from the Lepchas these immigrants chose one venerable person Phuntsog Namgyal as the temporal & spiritual head of Sikkim. He relocated his capital to Yuksam & estlablished a centralised government..

About Sikkim Travel

Sikkim TRAVEL


In pre-historic times, Sikkim was inhabited by 3 tribes viz., Naong, Chang and the Mon. The Lepchas entered Sikkim later and absorbed them completely. They resorted to the practice of electing a leader whose advice & counsil was sought on crucial matters & followed. The Tibetan migration in early 17th century led the Lepchas to shift their habitats so as to avoid conflict.

Meanwhile they struggle among the followers of the "Yellow Hats" & the "Red Hats" in Tibet forced the latter to seek refuge in Sikkim, where they attained the status of aristocracy & gradually dominated the State. In order to avoid any possible opposition from the Lepchas these immigrants chose one venerable person Phuntsog Namgyal as the temporal & spiritual head of Sikkim. He relocated his capital to Yuksam & estlablished a centralised government.

Tensung Namgyal who succeeded his father in 1670 moved his capital to Rabdentse. During the reign of Tashi Namgyal who was throned in 1914, Sikkim underwent a number of reforms. Forced labour was abolished. Gambling was made illegal. Landlords' courts were abolished. Developmental plans were drawn up for which aid from India was secured. Executive & Judicial powers were decentralised. Tashi Namgyal died on 2nd December 1962, & was succeeded by his son Palden Thondup.

He was married to a Tibetan lady Sangey Deki. She died in june 1957 & Palden Thondup got married to Hope Cooke, who gave birth to a daughter Hope Leezum & a son, but neither their marriage nor Kingdom survived a decade. Growing agitation in 1973 against the monarchy led to the administration's collapsed & Indian troops stepped in which was followed by political arm wrestling for power. In 1975 Sikkim was merged to become India's 22nd State.

Want to know more.. Contact Us

Historical Monuments

Pemayangtse Monastery

Pemayangtse Monastery

Pemayangtse Monastery is situated in West Sikkim at Gyalshing (140 kms. from Gangtok) and commands an impressive view of Mount khanchendzonga. It was originally a small Lhekhang build by Lhatsun Chenpo in the 17th century. Later during the rule of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal, Lhatsun Chenpo's third reincarnate jigme Pawo extended it and rebuild the structure. This monastery belongs to the Nyigma order and all other Nyigma order monasteries in Sikkim are subordinate to it. The monks of Pemayangtse are usually from the leading Bhutia families in Sikkim. There are 108 monks in this monastery.

The monastery houses numerous religious idols and other objects of worship, most of which are precious because of their antiquity. On the top floor of the monastery there is a wooden sculpture depicting the Maha Gurus Heavenly Palace "Sanghthokpalri". This master piece was completed by the late Dungzin Rimpoche, who took five years to craft it single handed. The main festival of the monastery is on the 28th & 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calender, normally corressponding to the month of february. During these two days religious dances are performed and pilgrims come from all over Sikkim to watch them.

Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Monastery

24 Kms. from Gangtok, a drive through beautiful countryside takes one to Rumtek Dharma Chakra centre built in 1960'S by his holiness the late 16th GYALWA KARMAPA when he took refuge in Sikkim after the Chinese attack. It houses some of the worlds most unique art objects, ancient manuscripts and icons. Traditional in design, it is almost a replica of the original Kagyu headquarters in Tibet.

Rumtek monastery, a must for every visitor, where one can find some of the worlds most unique art objects , this place is the seat of the Kagyu order -- a close replica of the original Kagyu in Tibet.

About 2 kms. away from Dharma Chakra Center is the rebuilt 300 year old Rumtek monastery which was originally built by the fourth Chogyal. His Holiness late Gyalwa Karmapa lived in this monastery till the completion of the Rumtek Dharma Chakra Center. The annual dances are held here on the 28th & 29th day of the Tenth month of the lunar calendar.

Enchey Monastery

Enchey Monastery

This monastery is situated in Gangtok on a hill top. It was built during the reign of Thutob Namgyal. This 200 year old monastery has in its premises images of Gods, Goddesses and other religious objects. Every year around January "Chaam" or religious masked dance is performed.

Lama Drupthob Karpa is supposed to have built a small hermitage at the spot he reached after he flew from Maenam Hill in South Sikkim. Later during the reign of Sikyong Tulku (1909-1910), the present monastery was built in the shape of a Chinese Pagoda.

Following the Nyingma order, it has around 90 monks. The annual Puja is celebrated with dances on the 18th & 19th days of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar.

Phensang Monastery

Phensang Monastery

This monastery was built in 1721 during the time of Jigme Pawo. In 1947 it was completely gutted by a devastating fire. However it was rebuilt in 1948. It is present in North Sikkim. There are around 300 monks under the monastery and the main annual function in the monastery is on the 28th & 29th days of the tenth month of the Tibetan Calender which normally corresponds to the month of December.

Tashiding Monastery

Tashiding Monastery

This is another important monastery belonging to the Nyingmapa order and is about 40 Kms. from Gyalshing by road via Legship (West Sikkim). It lies nestled on the top of a hill that looms up between the Rathong river and the Rangit river and is surrounded by a profusion of Prayer flags that flutter in the air. There are also many chortans dedicated to some Chogyals and some religious personalities of Sikkim. Carved skillfully on stone plates surrounding th emonastery are holly Buddhist mantras like "Om Mane Padme Hum" by the master crafts man Yanchong Lodil. The monastery was built in 1717 by Ngadak Sempa Chembo during the reign of the third Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal. The sacred ceremony of Bumchu is held here at midnight of the 14th & 15th of the first Tibetan month. There is a bus service from Gyalshing to Tashiding. Atrekkers hut is available for the tourist at Tashiding.

Shopping in Sikkim

Shopping in Sikkim


In Sikkim one can find many attractive items which no one can resist from buying. The main markets for shopping are Old market, New Market and Lal market. Sikkim is famous for carved furniture, the dresses, Lepcha weave bags, Carpets & Durries with intricate designs and colourful decorations. One can also buy wooden and bamboo artifacts.

The handicraft and handloom directorate office and the showroom are on crossing of MG Marg and New market. One can buy carpets, masks, bright Choktse tables, Thangka hangings in the Gramin Vikas Agency showroom. For a collector of handmade decorative pieces Gangtok is a paradise. It will surely give its visitors a memorable impression.

Hotels in Sikkim