Trivia on Sikkim

The state of Sikkim is located in the eastern region of the Himalayas. It occupies a total area of 7096 sq. km. This state is situated at an altitude that ranges from 300 metres to 8586 metres above sea level. It is covered with abundant natural icy cold deserts, alpine meadows, rich green forests, and mountains. The mountains do not only have a physical significance but are also considered the state’s guardian deity.  The cultural canvas of the state is filled with folk dances, dress, myths, songs, a variety of cultural songs, and rituals. All these features make Sikkim a total mystical wonderland.

Capital of Sikkim 

The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage location. This city’s population is estimated to be 100,000. Gangtok houses many  Sikkimese communities like Lepchas, Kiratis, Bhutia, and Gorkhas. It has a mild climate throughout the year, making it one of the most attractive tourist places in Sikkim. The most famous dish in Gangtok is a dish called ‘momo’. Momo is a dumpling that is steamed and contains fillings of pork, beef, or vegetables. It can also be served with soup. A type of beer made from millet called chhang is consumed by the locals. Sports like soccer, cricket, and archery are most popular in the capital. 

History 

The history of Sikkim is interesting. The community of Lepchas is considered to be one of the earliest people to live in the state of Sikkim. The communities of Limbus and Magras inhabited the parts of the state that were inaccessible. The Lepchas community inhabited the east and north districts of Sikkim, while the Limbus and Magras communities inhabited the west and south districts of Sikkim. Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, a Buddhist saint, is said to have visited Sikkim during the eighth century. Between the years 1717 and 1733, the state faced many attacks from Nepal and Bhutan. 

Popular Dishes 

The state of Sikkim has a variety of must-try dishes. The following are a few popular dishes of Sikkimese cuisine. 

• Phagshapa 

This is a traditional dish that has been identified as unique to the state of Sikkim. The dish constitutes pork, stew, and radish as the main ingredients. It is a popular dish that is also available as street food all over. It is best paired with rice or chapati. This dish is very tasty and best eaten in summer. The interesting thing about this dish is it is very rich in proteins and vegetables and does not contain any oil. 

• Thenthuk 

Thenthuk is again another popular street food. This dish is very cheap and a mainstream dish for the local people of Sikkim. It is a noodle-based soup from Tibet. Although the birthplace of thenthuk is Tibet, there are some traditional flavours of Sikkim added to this dish. Seasonal vegetables are used in this dish. These vegetables are grown under the natural style of cultivation. This dish can be found in any nearby eatery, however, the taste and flavour of the dish are never compromised.

• Sha Phaley 

This is a must-try dish when you visit Sikkim. The dish is served in the evening in the streets of Gangtok. Sha Phaley is best situated for people who love bread, meat, and fricasseed nourishment because it contains all three.

Interesting Features of Sikkim 

This section will cover the interesting facts about Sikkim.

• According to the census of 2012, Sikkim has 619,00 inhabitants.
• Eleven languages are spoken in the state of Sikkim. They are English, Nepali, Sikkimese, LepchaGurung, Limbu, Magar, Mukhia, Newari, Rai, Sherpa, and Tamang
• Sikkim has become the first-ever state in India to have fully implemented organic farming in the year 2015
• Sikkim houses over 552 varieties of birds and 690 varieties of butterflies
• It also has the third-highest peak in the world – Kangchenjunga
• In the year 2011, it had a literacy rate of 82.2% among adults
• This state houses 5000 varieties of flowering plants, 11 oak species, about 424 medicinal plants, and 36 varieties of rhododendrons
• The festivals celebrated are Losar, Bumchu, Sonam Lochar, Chaite Dashain, Saga Dawa, Sakewa, and many more 

Conclusion 

Sikkim is one of the very few states in India to experience snowfall regularly. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage location. The state is covered with an abundance of natural icy cold deserts, alpine meadows, rich green forests, and mountains. The mountains do not only have a physical significance but are also considered the state’s guardian deity. Sikkim has a variety of must-try dishes. Some of them are thenthuk, phagshapa, and Sha Phaley.  The community of Lepchas is considered to be one of the earliest people to have lived in Sikkim.