“Beauty is truth, truth Beauty” this famous line stands true for one of the most attractive state of North Eastern part of India. Sikkim has been blessed with the most precious gifts of nature, as if nature while making Sikkim choose the handful of precious landscaping art, that it could drew! River Teesta flows through this most wonderful state, making it even more serene. The captivating Himalayan ranges, the gigantic mountains, the tranquility of nature, the chirping of the birds, the call of the deep blue sky, the call of the infinity of the mountain ranges, the peace that prevails in the valleys and the mountains, mixed with the innocence of the locals, will leave a mark in your heart forever once you visit Sikkim. Here we have enlisted top 10 interesting facts about Sikkim. Let’s read through the lines and feel the magnificence of Sikkim.
10 Interesting Facts about Sikkim
1. An Independent nation that became a state
India achieved independence in the year 1947. Sikkim, Before becoming one of the Indian states, was an independent nation till 1974. The Prime Minister of Sikkim wanted Sikkim as a State of India, and eventually he became successful in it. Ultimately Sikkim was acclaimed as the 22nd State of India on 16th of May 1975.
2. The beauty of the international flowers
International Flower Festival takes place during every summer in Sikkim, especially in between March to May. In this Flower Festival, we can see different kinds of orchids, flowers, plants etc. There are almost 600 types of orchids, 46 kinds of rhododendrons, and near about 150 types of gladioli. Besides these various range of trees, saplings are also seen here. These colorful flower rhododendron, orchid’s beauty is really amazing. The International Flower Festival of this small State, really touches the heart.
3. Nature has given abundant to Nepal, and natural spa is one of the most significant
There are several hot springs that serve as a tourist attractions. Yumthang hot spring, Reshi hot spring, Yume samdog hot spring, Ralong hot spring, Yume hot spring, Borong hot spring, Taram hot spring, to name a few! The months of February to March are the best time to enjoy hot bath and get yourself relieved of stress! The Sulphur bath or the hot springs are one of nature`s best gifts to mankind! So a visit to Sikkim is never complete without the experience of the natural spas. This is one of the top 10 Interesting Facts about Sikkim.
4. India found its first Organic state in Sikkim, a uniqueness again
Organic farming or the green farming is something that ancient India practiced, but today’s India is often facing the problem of a very high demand of food, hence organic farming is a major challenge! But Sikkim has overcome it and hence it became India’s first organic state, which in itself is a big achievement! To produce agriculture in the most natural way, makes Sikkim one of its kind to fuse itself to the blessings of nature that already has!
5. Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple
India is the land of temples and Gods and Goddesses. Often people comes to pray for their for themselves and the near and dear ones! But Sikkim maintaining its uniqueness in several other ways has even made itself unique in building a temple in memory of a soldier! Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple is a temple that is named under Harbhajan Singh the brave soldier who went to fight for his country in the dreading ranges of “Nathula pass”.
It is believed that he fought like a real warrior and his spirit is still alive and many locals have felt that! It is believed his spirit protects the soldiers who fight the enemy in the dangerous ranges. Today Baba Harbhajan Singh temple is regarded to be one of the most auspicious places in Sikkim, and with the local tales, and the temple’s walls as if giving shiver down your spine and you can actually feel him around you, as the most positive soul protecting his fellow soldiers even today. It is such a different and unique feeling that one has to only feel and its inexplicable.
6. Sikkim is the home to Asia’s 2nd highest suspension bridge
A must visit bridge that has a great architecture work, an incredibly wonderful view. This is another place among the 10 Interesting Facts about Sikkim. The journey to this place is indeed bliss in itself! Amidst the serenity of the nature, with the swirling water making music on the stone laid on the shores, on the edges of the river banks and the colorful small flags which flies along with the winds are just a view to be treated with. It is a suspension bridge and the length makes it even more adventurous. It’s a safe and a beautiful bridge to add to the must-visit list.
7. Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery is one of the most largest monastery in Sikkim. This is 23 kilometers from Gangtok and it is covered with beautiful green mountains. The monastery is quite similar to the headquarters of Kagyu. It is a school for Tibet Buddhism. The ‘Black hat’ is the most fantastic artwork over here. This precious hat is covered with diamonds, gold’s, rubies and many more stones . The beauty of this monastery is really amazing.
8. The State Animal of Sikkim
Red Panda is the State Animal of Sikkim. It is also known as a red bearcat, lesser panda, or red cat bear. This cute animal is only seen in the state of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and the northern parts of West Bengal (Kalimpong, Darjeeling). They usually prefer coniferous and deciduous forests.
9. The Great Siddheswar Dham
Siddheswar Dham is one of most visited places of Sikkim. It is located on the top of Solophok hilltop, 5 kilometers from Namchi . The main attractive thing to see here is 108 feet tall idol of Lord Shiva, which is really very surprising. Apart from this, there is also replicas of 12 Jyotirlingas, 4 models of holy Chardham Hindu temples of Dwarka, Rameswaram, Jagannath and Badrinath. There is also a hunter incarnation of 18 feet tall statue of Lord Shiva. The perfect time to come to this place is from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A beautiful light and sound show is held here, which is really worth a watch.
10. Thangka Painting
Thangka is a painting of the Tibetan Buddhist. It means “recorded message”. Basically this kind of painting can be seen in the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and their home. For me, this is one of the most interesting thing among the top 10 Interesting Facts about Sikkim. These are very bright, meaningful and colorful paintings and it is done on the cloths of silk, cotton by hand. When these are not used, they have to be rolled up like scroll. To keep the painting safe, the front and the back side must be covered and kept in dry place. Buddhist believes that this painting can remove the evil power. These paintings are the specialty and uniqueness of Sikkim.
These are the top 10 Interesting Facts about Sikkim. So just pack your bags and go feel the nature. The long ending roads, the wonderful waterfalls, the breezy winds, everything is waiting for you. Enjoy yourself in this calm and noise free atmosphere. The nature of Sikkim will never disappoint you.