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The modern history of Sikkim
begins from 1642 A.D. with the coronation of Phuntsog Namgyal
as the first Chogyal or king of Sikkim in a tranquil pine
covered hill in Yuksom Norbugang in West Sikkim.
The Namgyals were scions of the Mi-nyak
House in Kham in Eastern Tibet. It is said that there were
three brothers, chiefs of Kham Mi-nyak. A letter dropped
from heaven directed the middle brother to go south towards
Sikkim where his descendents were fated to rule. It was
in Sakya that his eldest son single-handedly raised the
pillars of the Sakya monastery and earned himself the sobriquet
of 'Khye Bumsa' (the strength of a lakh of men)
Khye Bumsa also earned himself the
hand of the daughter of the Sakya hierarch and settled in
Chumbi Valley, which remained, for a long time, the epicenter
of the later kingdom of Sikkim.
Long troubled by the fact that he and
his wife were issueless, Khye Bumsa sought the blessings
of the Lepcha chieftain Thekongtek who was reputed to be
able to grant the boon of progeny. Khye Bumsa's wife subsequently
bore him three sons. Later Khye Bumsa and Thekong Tek swore
the historic pact of eternal friendship at Kabi Longtsok
in North Sikkim.
Khye Bumsa's third son Mipon Rab succeeded his father. He,
in turn, was succeeded by his fourth son Guru Tashi who
moved to Gangtok. Meanwhile Thekongtek passed away and the
Lepchas who started fragmenting into small tribes turned
to Guru Tashi for leadership and protection.
The Sikkim Coronation book describes
Guru Tashi as the 'first ruler of Sikkim who paved way for
a regular monarchy'. Five generations later, it was Phuntsog
Namgyal who was consecrated as the first Denjong Gyalpo
or the king of Sikkim by the three great Lamas who came
from the North, West and South to Yuksom Norbugang in West
Sikkim in 1642 A.D. The event, predicted as it was by Guru
Rinpoche, was the 'Naljor Chezhi' or the meeting of the
four yogic brothers or the four saints or four sages.
The coronation took place in the Chu-ta or water horse year
in 1642A.D. Thus Phuntsog Namgyal was installed on the throne
of Sikkim with the title of 'Chogyal' or king who rules
with righteousness, with both spiritual and temporal powers.
While the three Lamas spread Buddhism in Sikkim, Phuntsog
Namgyal started consolidating his kingdom.
Twelve generations of Chogyals ruled over Sikkim for over
300 years. This tiny Himalayan kingdom however witnessed
tumultuous change in 1972-73. In 1975 the institution of
the Chogyal was abolished and on May 16th, 1975 Sikkim was
formally inducted as the 22nd state of India.
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Important Tourist Cities
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| Gangtok |
Gangtok,
the capital of Sikkim has emerged into the mainstream travel
destination of the Tourism Industry, with more and more tourist
coming to this little Himalayan state every year. Sitting
on the lap of the majestic Himalaya, Gangtok in Sikkim has
developed into a cosmopolitan delicacy where old-world charm
and hospitality exist along with the modern age of Information
Technology. One can find a harmonious blend of diverse culture
and religion in Sikkim Gangtok. The people of Gangtok have
a strong bonding with their age-old traditions and customs.
Despite of these, Gangtok is definitely not behind the rest
of the world in terms of urbanisation - broad roads, flyovers,
posh markets, state-of-art hospital, educational institutes,
fast food outlets, discotheques, and all other modern amenities
that the heart can desire for.
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| Gezing |
Gezing
the headquarters of West Sikkim District, is a beautiful town
located in the picturesque Himalayas. Gezing in Sikkim is
at a distance of 15 km from Legship (Sikkim) and 110 km west
of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Gezing has a busy Friday
market. Villagers from outlying areas bring their produce
into the Gezing town in Sikkim and a colourful and busy market
dominates the main square.
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| Jorethang |
Jorethang
in Sikkim is a major business centre in the South Sikkim District,
on the West Bengal border, 30 km from Darjeeling. The Maghe
Mela in Jorethang in South Sikkim is an annual event. It lasts
for about three days starting on the 14th of January. The
festival attracts village folk from all of South and West
District by dint of the right climate. It is celebrated just
after all the tasks related to harvesting and replanting winter
crops are complete. This is time to celebrate and enjoy. It
is also the place, which divides Sikkim with West Bengal.
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| Mangan |
Mangan
is the district headquarters of North Sikkim, a place of stunning
beauty. Mangan in Sikkim is the main administration and market
centre for north Sikkim, where the local people sell their
apples, oranges and cardamom. Dzongu is a forested region
fed by two important rivers, the Teesta and Tolung, in the
shadow of Mt Kanchenjunga and the icy castle of Mt Siniolchu,
considered to be world's most beautiful peak. The antique
Tolung Monastery in Mangan can be reached through thick jungle
and steep hillsides. The Tolung Monastery in Mangan is a repository
of Sikkim's displays - horse saddes, old thankas and thigh
bone trumpets.
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| Pelling |
Pelling
in Sikkim is placid travel destination, situated at an altitude
of 6,800 ft from the sea level. Pelling Sikkim attracts most
of the visitors for its glorious history, nature and culture
of the state. Sikkim Pelling, the laid back, scenic, but rapidly
swelling hamlet is famous for the magnificent view of the
snow-capped mountains of Khangchendzonga
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Pelling in Sikkim is an ideal getaway for tourists as its
vicinity has numerous waterfalls, soft trek routes, villages
and soothing atmosphere for all discerning. High above the
forest covered hills, in an amphitheater of cloud, snow and
rock.
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| Yuksam |
Yuksam
in Sikkim, the gateway to Shangri-La or Ney-Pemathang is located
in the far western corner of Sikkim India, perched at the
base of high, forest-covered mountains. The village and surroundings
of Yuksam offer plenty of opportunity for relishing the history
of Sikkim. Yuksam Sikkim is fascinating with inviting people,
majestic mountain peaks and immense natural diversity.
Yuksam in Sikkim was the first capital of
Sikkim. This was the place, where according to the historical
records, the first Chogyal of the Kingdom of Sikkim was enthroned
in 1641 AD by the three learned lamas. It is from here that
the trek to Dzongri and to the base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga
begins.
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