Open left menu Sikkim. Sikkim - the Buddhist kingdom of Northern India and our way there

Hello friends!

I Lately very relaxed. I reached 1000 visitors and became lazy. There are fewer articles to publish on the blog. However, Sikkim, a state in North India I've had this dream twice lately. Perhaps this is an occasion to talk about this wonderful, pure and completely Buddhist corner in the corner of the vast and ancient Bharata.

I have long dreamed of coming here. However, there was always not enough time, because Sikkim is quite far away and you need to go to it purposefully. So, after the sale and discussion future plans That’s what we decided - we’re going to the far corner of the Himalayas, sandwiched between two Buddhist kingdoms: Bhutan.

Dreamers and romantics come to Sikkim. This is an ancient, beautiful and self-absorbed region, which, having adopted Buddhism, turned into the last “Shangri-La”, the pure country of the Buddha and his bodhisattvas.

It is calm, safe and very picturesque here. In small villages you can spin prayer wheels, play with kind dogs, and meditate near numerous large trees and sacred lakes.

The population here is calm and not annoying. He speaks mainly Nepali and sometimes gathers in groups of three to discuss the problem of discrimination against the Gurkha people.

It's not far from here to picturesque Darjeeling, where separatist sentiments are quite strong. However, this has almost no effect on tourists. Unless there may be problems with transport...

Coming here:

1. for trekking to Kanchenjunga
2. admire nature and relative silence
3. live in quiet villages near dense forests with the flapping of prayer flags
4. visit ancient and beautiful Buddhist monasteries

Fantastic view from Pelling

Permit to visit Sikkim

Sikkim is a very small state. And it borders on 3 sides with other countries: China, Nepal and Bhutan. Therefore, there are a lot of border and semi-forbidden zones here. A visit to Sikkim itself requires a permit.

The permit is issued free of charge in the following points:

1. to Delhi
2. in Kolkata
3. in Darjeeling
4. at Bagdogra airport
5. to Siliguri
6. on the state borders at Rangpo (we did it here, it's on the road from Darjeeling to Gangtok) or Meili

The permit is valid for 2 weeks and can be extended in Gangtok, Namchi, Mangan and Geising.

What to see and a few words about the sights

Sikkim is a mountainous state, dotted with serpentines and steep mountains. The main attractions here are the sea. I'll tell you about some of the key ones:

Rumtek Monastery near Gangtok

The main monastery of Karma Kagyu, restored by the 16th Karmapa in 1959 after his forced flight from Tibet. Despite my ancient origins(16th century), before restoration of the monastery for a long time was in ruins. Thanks to the Indian government and the support of Sikkim royal family, it was restored.

It's easy to travel here from Gangtok in one day. And here you can stay overnight, which is much more interesting and calmer than in Gangtok itself.

taken from here

Kanchenjunga

8560 meters Kanchenjunga is clearly visible from the village of Pelling in good weather. Trekking trails also leave from here through the Goche La pass to Kanchenjunga, where trekking can be organized in the same Pelling.

Kanchenjunga as seen from Pelling

Unfortunately, you can’t go far here on your own, like in Nepal. But you can admire the views endlessly.

Alpine lakes

There are a lot of lakes, large and small, here. One of the most popular is Tsongmo, located 40 km from Gangtok. A separate permit is required to visit it.

Not so high mountain, but very sacred Lake Kecheperi

Buddhist monasteries

Sikkim is a blessed Buddhist land. There are a lot of active monasteries here. The most important ones are located near Gangtok and in the western part of the state, around the villages of Pelling and Yuksom. There is also a semi-pedestrian route, the so-called. "Monastery Loop".

Dubdi Gompa, the oldest monastery in Sikkim. Heavily damaged during the 2015 Nepal earthquake

How to get to Sikkim

Sikkim is far from the beaten path of central India, so random people practically do not come here. Despite this, getting here is quite easy.

1. By train to New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP) and then by shared jeep to Gangtok. In general, NJP and the main city - Siliguri in this area are the main transport hubs, so most routes go through them.
2. By plane to Bagdogra and further by the same jeeps
3. Local transport from key points of West Bengal - Darjeeling, Kalimpong

public jeeps are the main transport of Sikkim

For me, Sikkim began to open up after leaving. There, among the rhododendrons, fogs and flapping flags, it seemed to me more that I was wandering like a tourist among museum exhibits. I only got this feeling in India. Apparently, the unexpected cleanliness and sparse population of the region had an effect.

But now, looking through the photographs and restoring in my memory the connections between attractions and logistics, I understand: I’m happy to return here. The main thing is to get away from Gangtok, to the wonderful villages of Pelling and Yuksom, where fogs wander along the roads during the day, and at night you can become deaf from the descending silence.

Delicious momos and the craziest types to you!

The state of Sikkim is often called the last Shangri-La, a literary name for the blessed mythical land of Shambhala in the mountains. According to legend, Shambhala became invisible after the Muslim invasion Central Asia and only people with pure souls can find her.

Peoples

According to the ideas of all the peoples living in the state of Sikkim, no matter what faith they adhere to, this part of the Himalayas is a place of Power.
Each of these peoples has its own ancient name Sikkim. Bhuti - "fortified secret place". Tibetans - "valley of rice". Lepcha - “fertile land” (“paradise”). In Hindu religious texts, Sikkim is called Indrakil - “Garden of Indra” (Indra is the lord of Heaven). But the name from the language of the Limbu - the first inhabitants of Sikkim - Su-Khiyim was established: the syllable “su” means “new”, and “Khiyim” means “house” or “palace”. “Five Treasures of the Great Snows” - this is how the name of the mountain is translated, more precisely, the Kanchenjunga mountain range, or Kanche, on the border of Sikkim and Nepal, the third highest peak of the Himalayas and the world after Chomolungma and. It has five peaks, and all of them are above 8000 m. Regarding what the “five treasures” are, there are legends with a material explanation (salt, precious stones, plant grains, invincible weapons and sacred texts), but researchers believe that treasures here mean the five facets of the highest wisdom. Kanchenjunga is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. The first mention of Sikkim in written sources is associated with a trip to the 8th century. Buddhist Mahatma - in Sanskrit “great soul” - named Padmasambhava, or Guru Rimpoche (Precious Teacher), to whom the largest Buddhist monastery in Sikkim, Rumtek, is dedicated.

Story

Guru Rimpoche blessed Sikkim and predicted that it would be a kingdom. And his main feat was the disgrace of priests and sorcerers. He surpassed them in magic, subjugating the demons and evil spirits of Tibet, converting them to Buddhism and making them dharmapalas - protectors of the Dharma. However, Tibetan historian Sailen Debnath claims that the Tibetan Emperor Stronsen Gam built a fortress in the area of ​​​​present-day Gangtok long before Rimpoche. Next episode traditional history Modern scientists also question Sikkim: there are too many mystical coincidences in it, but this is how it is told in Sikkim. Around the 13th century. The country began to be populated by Lepcha tribes who came from Assam. In the XIV century. The Tibetan prince Kye Bumsa in a dream received a command from the gods to move to the south of Tibet, which he, of course, fulfilled; his fellow tribesmen began to move to Sikkim in the 15th-16th centuries. In 1642 (and this is already a fact), the descendant of Kye Bumsa Phuntsog Namgyal was crowned by three lamas who appeared from the north, west and east (as was allegedly predicted in that same mystical dream). Phuntsog Namgyal was an enlightened Chagyal (monarch), he founded many Buddhist monasteries, temples and schools in Sikkim. From him came the custom of giving every third son in a family to become a lama (monk). The country under him included part of Eastern Nepal, the Chumbi Valley (Tibet), the Kha Valley (Bhutan) and part of the Terrai, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Yuksom is the first capital of Sikkim (now more of a village than a city), this name from the Lepcha language translates as “meeting place of the three lamas.” The second capital was the city of Rabdentse, destroyed by the Nepalese in 1814. But even earlier, in 1794, Tumlong became the capital. Gangtok has been the capital of Sikkim since 1894. In 1717-1734. Sikkim fought with Bhutan and as a result of this war lost a significant part of its territories.
In 1886, the British declared their protectorate over the territory of Sikkim and began to encourage the resettlement of the Gurkhas of Nepal to Sikkim; Nepalis now make up the bulk of its population. In 1947-1950, in several stages, Sikkim became a protectorate of India. In the early 1970s. Serious contradictions begin to arise between the royal and executive powers in Sikkim. In April 1975, Indian troops occupied Sikkim and then held a referendum. The turnout was 59%. 97.5% of those who took part in the referendum voted for Sikkim to join India. On May 16, 1975, the kingdom ceased to exist and Sikkim became the 22nd state of India.
Pang Lamsol is the main holiday of the state, it is dedicated to the Divine bridge between earth and Heaven, which for both Buddhists and Hindus is Kanchenjunga and Sikkim guarded by it.

Nature

The nature of the state corresponds to this reverent idea. German Tibetologist Ernst Schaefer, head of the famous expedition to Tibet in 1938-1939, describes Sikkim as follows: “This region unites all living spaces: tropics of forests untouched by civilization, subtropics teeming with various orchids; temperate zone with light birch trees and gloomy spruce forests, rhododendron thickets stretching for many kilometers, blankets of alpine meadows, empty gouges rocks and, finally, eternal snow. Hardly any country in the world can compete with Sikkim in the richness of colors, the abundance of forms of flora and fauna, which lurks in the shelters of mountain labyrinths... Even in the fauna there are unheard of contrasts. In the south, a treacherous tiger stalks through impenetrable virgin forests entangled in vines to tear apart the timid Sambar deer. At the same time, in the north, a flexible snow leopard hunts blue sheep in the eternal snow. And the endless steppes, stretching from the limits of the ice barriers to the very “roof of the world,” tremble under the clatter of the hooves of the magnificent kiangs, the most beautiful wild horses in Asia.”
There are 28 mountain peaks, more than 80 glaciers, 227 high-mountain lakes, five large hot springs whose temperature exceeds 50°C, more than 100 rivers and streams. Most of This territory is unsuitable for agriculture; rice and other crops are grown only on the terraces of gentle slopes in the south of the state. And any construction is also very problematic: landslides in Sikkim are a common occurrence, and they also happen strong earthquakes. The most recent one occurred in September 2011, its strength was 6.9 on the Richter scale, the epicenter was 20 km from Gangtok, about 20 houses collapsed, people died (in neighboring Nepal and Bhutan too).

Religion

Hinduism occupies percentage dominant positions in the spiritual life of the state. However, at first glance at Sikkim you wouldn’t say that: it seems that Buddhism predominates here: firstly, there are many more Buddhist monasteries than Hindu temples, secondly, you can see Buddhist prayer flags everywhere, and thirdly, Buddhist and Hindu temples They hardly differ from each other in appearance; they are all made mainly in the Tibetan architectural tradition. And there's another one important thing What unites followers of all religions in Sikkim is tolerance. Conflicts between people here, as elsewhere, of course, do occur, but still much less frequently than in other parts of India, and in general Sikkim is a very calm place.
There are about 70 Buddhist monasteries and about 3,000 lamas in the state. The most famous of the monasteries are Gum, Tashiding, Pemayantse, Sangachelling, Rumtek. In the Gum Monastery there is a statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future, a bodhisattva who is revered by all schools of Buddhism. At Pemayantse there is an elaborately carved seven-tiered wooden sculpture representing the heavenly palace of Padmasambhava and its inhabitants and embodying the main stages spiritual development humanity.
The state really needs a railway. It is planned that in 2015 the town of Rangpo in Sikkim will be connected with the state of West Bengal. But from Rangpo to Gangtok is another 40 km, and it is not yet known when the rails will be laid there. For now, the main means of transportation in the state are jeeps operating as taxis. More and more tourists come to Sikkim every year. To visit the state, special permission from the Indian immigration service is required (Sikkim has a significant military garrison due to the fact that the situation on the borders with Nepal and China can be turbulent).

general information

Administrative division: 4 districts.
Administrative center: Gangtok - 98,658 people. (2011).

The largest settlements: Gangtok, Singtam, Rangpo, Jretang, Namchi.

Languages: Nepali, Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbu, Newar, Rai, Gurung, Mangar, Sherpa, Tamang, Sunwari. The main language of communication is Nepali; other languages ​​are given official status in the state to preserve local culture and traditions. Many residents of the state also speak Hindi and English.

Ethnic composition: descendants of the Nepalese Gurkhas, Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbu, interethnic marriages are quite common, and there is a part of the population that finds it difficult to determine which ethnic group include yourself.
Religions: Hinduism - 60.9%, Buddhism - 30.1%, Christianity - 6.6% (Anglican Church of North India), Islam (Sunni) - 1.4%, there are also small communities of Jains - 1% (these Figures may vary slightly between different sources.)

Currency unit: Indian rupee.

Largest rivers: Teesta, Rangit.
Largest alpine lakes: Tsongmo, Gurudongmar, Khecheopalri.

Largest glacier: Zemu (25 km).
Nearest airport: Bagdogra is in the city of Siliguri (West Bengal), 124 km from Gangtok. Helicopters fly regularly from there to Gangtok.

Numbers

Population: 607,688 people. (2011).

Population density: 85.6 people/km 2 .

Highest point: Mount Kanchenjunga (8586 m).
The most low point: 280 m above sea level.

Climate and weather

Average January temperature: 0°C.

Average temperature in August(warmest month): +23°С.

Night and day temperatures can fluctuate dramatically.
Monsoon season: May-October, at this time the entire state is shrouded in fog and rain falls unevenly.

Average annual precipitation: from 1270 mm in the north of the state, to 5000 mm in the east.
The line of eternal snow runs at altitudes of about 4900-6100 m.

Economy

Agriculture: growing cardamom, ginger, oranges, apples, tea, orchids for export. Potatoes, cabbage, corn, peas, beans, wheat, barley, and millet are also grown (for domestic use).

Cattle breeding - buffaloes, yaks, sheep, goats, pigs, mules.

Traditional handicrafts: wood carving, manufacturing jewelry made of silver and Tibetan wool carpets.
Service sector: tourism, the most intensively developing type is trekking, as well as kayaking, rafting, mountaineering and mountain biking tours - all under the guidance of experienced guides.

Attractions

Curious facts

The name Darjeeling comes from the name of the monastery Dorje Ling, which translates as “Place of Lightning Strike”. Here rises snow-white peak Mount Kanchenjunga (8598 m) - the highest in India. This mountain became the subject of inspiration for the famous artist Nicholas Roerich, who depicted it in several of his paintings.

Here you can see the sunrise on Tiger Hill, which is located 11 km south of the center of Darjeeling, from here you can clearly see the first Sun rays illuminate the snow-capped peak of the world's tallest Mount Everest. Unique landscapes, lush greenery, clean mountain air - the best remedy recharge yourself with positive energy and feel all the greatness of nature. Well. Of course, it is impossible to leave here without trying the best tea in the world and visiting the famous tea plantations.

Kanchenjunga National Park

Kanchenjunga National Park is located in the north-west of the Indian state of Sikkim and was created in 1998 with the good purpose of protecting wildlife from extinction. Today, Kanchenjunga National Park provides a safe refuge for many of the endangered inhabitants of our planet: snow leopards, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, red panda, blue sheep and rare species of monkeys.

During spring months In the reserve it is impossible to stop admiring the unusually beautiful flowering of orchids, lilies, and rhododendrons. The valleys are hidden tropical forest, which, with increasing height, gives way to oaks and pines. Here pheasants stroll importantly and curious red-billed magpies chatter merrily.

Travelers can expect crystal clear rivers and noisy waterfalls, the height of which reaches 160 meters. Here you can not only observe beautiful butterflies and rare birds, of which there are 600 species, but also climb legendary mountain Kanchenjunga or, conversely, row down the Sikkim River. It is best to do this by going to the reserve with a large group - this will only help you obtain permission to visit the park, but also avoid unnecessary obstacles and dangers. Locals Sometimes lonely travelers are warned that Kanchenjunga throws off women who attempt to climb to its peak. Perhaps this warning is just a fable, but, you see, it is A good reason get everyone together and go on a long journey.

What sights of Sikkim did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Khecheoparli Lake

Perhaps you once read or saw in films how Buddhist monks look for a place to achieve peace, quiet and calm, where nothing will disturb you during meditation. Khecheoparli Lake is the epitome of this place.

For Buddhists and Hindus, the lake is sacred. They come here to pray and meditate. Tourists are more attracted by the fact that this lake is also a “lake of desires”. If you have a secret wish, then you can make it here, and it will definitely come true.

Lake Khecheoparli has a second name - Lake Tara, and all because, according to local legend, it appeared in the imprint of the footprint of the goddess Tara, since from a bird's eye view the lake really resembles a footprint.

Like everything else in India, the lake is stunning with the beauty of the nearby flora and fauna. Beautiful a tropical forest, through which just there's a way to the lake, an abundance of exotic birds and fish. However, you should be careful, as there are many poisonous insects and dangerous animals here, meeting which can spoil your walk.

In the mode, you can view attractions in Sikkim only from photographs.

Institute of Tibetology

The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology houses the largest collection of Tibetan statues, masks, altars and other Tibetan art objects. The institute also houses museums of Tibetan iconography and religious art, which are considered one of the largest museums in the world. Interestingly, the institute is located outside of Tibet, in Sikkim.

The Institute was established in 1958 in a building that is an imposing monument and a magnificent example of Sikkimese architecture. Its official opening was attended by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The reason for its occurrence is increased attention to the study of religion, language, history, art and culture of the Tibetan area, including Sikkim. Many of the institute's projects are devoted to the history of the 60 monasteries of Sikkim, namely the digitization of historical documents and photo archives related to Sikkim.

The most popular attractions in Sikkim with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Sikkim on our website.

Countries that disappeared in the 20th century. Sikkim September 9th, 2015

“They called Sikkim the land of lightning. Of course, there are lightnings here, but wouldn’t it be easier to call it: “The Land of Heavenly Steps.” It’s hard to imagine a better prelude to the secrets of the future. An unexplored, little-penetrated country of rocks and flowers"

N.K. Roerich. Altai-Himalayas

I already told you about the disappeared country and . Here's another exotic one.

Sikkim was small an independent principality ruled by the Namgyal dynasty since 1642 (Phuntsog Namgyal became the first king). In 1975, Sikkim was absorbed into India and became its 22nd state. During the period of Sikkim's independence, the famous Silk Road To China.

Let's find out more about this disappeared country...

According to the Tibetans, princely state of Sikkim, located in the Himalayas between Nepal and Bhutan, was once a hidden country called Baiul Demojong, or “Hidden Valley of Rice.” There weren't many people living there back then. indigenous people, but the area was mostly empty and inaccessible from Tibet. Around the beginning of the 15th century. Rigdzin Godem, a Tibetan lama who discovered many hidden treasures, was able to find a passage through the snow-capped mountains into the warm and sheltered valleys of Sikkim. Although he never returned to Tibet, he wrote a message about where he had gone and sent it to his monastery, tying it to an eagle's neck. About two hundred years later another lama, Namkha Jigme, completed the discovery of Sikkim. Following the instructions of Rigdzin Godem, or perhaps a guidebook, he led a large number of Tibetans through the mountains and they settled in Sikkim. He appointed one of the members of his detachment as the first chogyal, or ruler of the new principality. The dynasty he founded in the 17th century continued uninterrupted until the last Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, who married an American woman named Hope Cook in 1963 and lost his throne in 1974. A large stupa built outside the capital of Sikkim, Gangtok. , contains the skull of Rigdzin Godham, the first person to discover the hidden country of Sikkim...

It is clearly visible that the design of the coat of arms has a European style. Indeed, it was painted by the Englishman Robert Taylor. The coat of arms was granted to Maharaja Thutobu Namgyal (1874–1914) at the Delhi durbar in 1877. Durbar is a council of nobles and a ceremonial reception at the Monarch in medieval Muslim states. It was used in this meaning in colonial India - durbar under the Viceroy of India and provincial governors.

In the center of the golden shield there is a blue lotus flower (padma) with a scarlet seed inside. He is surrounded by a belt of 12 purple amulets. Padma is a symbol of purity; The lotus throne symbolizes the attainment of enlightenment. IN in this case The lotus, as one of the four attributes of Vishnu, is a Hindu symbol of administrative power.

On top of the shield is a knight's helmet turned to the right (for the viewer to the left) European uniform with a lambrequin (a piece of cloth covering a helmet) of gold and purple flowers. Above the helmet is an azure mollusk shell (sankha). Sankha is the symbol of the spoken word. Also one of the four signs of Vishnu. In this case, the shell symbolizes religious power.

The shield holders are red dragons, reminiscent of the Welsh ones. Dragons are called druks, they symbolize renewal and transformation and serve as a sign of the Chinese Emperor. In this case they show the significance of the suzerainty of the Chinese Imperial Power for Sikkim, but can also be interpreted as symbols of the Sikkimese Maharaja himself.

The motto (either in Nepali or Sanskrit?) OM MANI PADME HUM is the main mantra in Mahayana Buddhism: “O pearl shining in the lotus flower!”

Being built on European principles, the coat of arms of Sikkim may be considered controversial. A flag with Buddhist elements is much more local. The flag appeared in 1877 and was used until 1962.

The flag depicts the Dharmachakra, or Wheel of Law, associated with the King of Kings. She personifies righteousness, virtue, which is the law even for the Great Monarch. The wheel symbolizes the ruler of the country.

At its center is a swirling gakhil (swastika), symbolizing continuous change and movement.

In the upper corners of the flag are the Sun and the Moon - symbols of the Empire or the people and the state.

Thus, three conditions of human organization of power are presented - Empire, State and Ruler.

This scheme is typical of Chinese heraldry. In China, the Sun and Moon were placed on the Emperor's robe, which was also decorated with dragons. In Korea, the King (or Emperor) sits in front of a screen depicting the same celestial bodies. In Tibet, veneration of the state is again accompanied by veneration (in the form of images state symbols) Sun and Moon. In Nepal, the Royal Lion with a standard stands between the Sun and the Moon. And in neighboring Bhutan the Royal Seal is placed in front of mountain range, over which the Sun and Moon shine. And there are many more such examples.

Around the Dharmachakra are depicted the Seven Precious Stones (rinchen dun; rinchen dun). They have their own symbolic names - clockwise: elephant tusks, llama hat, King's earring, coral branch, bell ringing (harmony), Queen's earring and scepter.

The central part of the flag is surrounded on three sides by the Buddhist “Fire of Consciousness”.

Since 1975, the flag of the Principality of Sikkim has been banned.

Now Sikkim is the most small state India

Two thirds of the population are from Nepal (Nepalese, Tamangs, Kiratis, Sherpas, Newars). In the Songbu district, west of Gangtok, live the Lepchas, the oldest local population; in the northern and central regions- Bhotia, in cities - immigrants from India (Bengalis). Official languages ​​- Sikkimese dialect Tibetan language, Nepali and English. Lepcha and Bhotiya religion - Buddhism (Lamaism); the rest are mostly Hindus

In the 15-16th centuries. Tibetans began to enter the territory of Sikkim. In 1641, Pencha Namgyal became the first chögyal (prince) of Sikkim, at that time the princely state included parts of Eastern Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, including the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. In 1717-1734, during the reign of the fourth Chogyal of Sikkim, as a result of the war with Bhutan, Sikkim lost a significant part of its territories. Sikkim remained dependent on Tibet until the end of the 18th century.

Britain subjugated the princely state of Sikkim in a treaty in 1861. In 1890, the boundaries of Sikkim were defined. The British encouraged Nepalese to move to Sikkim, as a result the Tibetan part of the population decreased significantly, and Nepalese now make up about 75% of the population of Sikkim.

After Indian independence (1947), the autocratic rule of the Chogyal of Sikkim caused popular unrest (1947-1949); Chogyal turned to India for help. In 1949, an Indian protectorate was established over Sikkim. Under the 1950 treaty, the Government of India assumed responsibility for the defense and territorial integrity of Sikkim.

In April 1974, the first general elections were held in Sikkim. Legislative Assembly. The Constitution adopted on July 3, 1974 limited the power of the Chogyal. In September 1974, Sikkim was granted the status of an associated state of India. In April 1975, in a referendum, the majority of the population of Sikkim was in favor of making Sikkim an Indian state. Since May 1975, Sikkim has been a state of India.

Look, it’s still there, and there’s also somewhere The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy was made -