Sikkim facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids

Sikkim

State

(clockwise from top) Kangchenjunga; Gurudongmar Lake; Rumtek Monastery; Temi Tea Garden

Emblem

Motto(s):

Kham sum wangdu
(Conqueror of the three worlds)

Country

India

Admission to Union

16 May 1975

Capital

Gangtok

Largest city

Gangtok

Districts

Area

• Total

7,096 km² (2,740 sq mi)

Area rank

28th

Population

• Total

610,577

• Rank

29th

• Density

86.045/km² (222.856/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Sikkimese

Languages

• Official

• Additional official

Gurung
Limbu
Magar
Mukhia
Newari
Rai
Sherpa
Tamang

IN-SK

0.716 (High)

HDI rank

10th (2017)

Literacy

82.6% (13th)

Website

www.sikkim.gov.in

Assembly of Sikkim abolished monarchy and resolved to be a constituent unit of India. A referendum was held on these issues and majority of the voters voted yes. On 15 May 1975 the President of India ratified a constitutional amendment that made Sikkim the 22nd state of India.

Symbols

Emblem

Emblem of Sikkim

Bird

Blood Pheasant

Flower

Noble dendrobium (Dendrobium nobile)

Tree

Rhododendron

Sikkim is a beautiful state located in India. It became a part of India in 1975. The people living here mostly have Nepali family backgrounds.

Sikkim is surrounded by other countries and states. To its east is Bhutan, to the west is Nepal, and to the north is the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. To the south, it shares a border with the Indian state of West Bengal.

Sikkim is the state with the smallest number of people in India. It is also the second smallest state in terms of land size, covering about 7,096 square kilometers.

One of the most amazing things about Sikkim is that it is home to the third highest mountain in the world, Mount Kanchenjunga. This giant mountain stands about 8,597 meters (28,169 feet) above sea level.

The capital city of Sikkim is Gangtok. Other important towns include Gayzing, Pelling, Yuksam, and Jorethang. People in Sikkim speak many languages, such as Sikkimese, Lepcha, Tibetan, Nepali, Hindi, and English.

Tourism is a very important way for Sikkim to make money. Many visitors come to see its natural beauty and unique culture.

Sikkim was once quite isolated from the rest of the world. Tibetan people first settled here in the 16th century. Later, in 1890, it became a Protectorate under British rule. The British handed Sikkim over to India in 1949. Finally, in 1975, it officially joined India.

Most of Sikkim's people have Nepalese roots. There are also groups like the Bhutias, who came from Tibet and Bhutan, and the Lepchas, who were originally nomads. Many Nepalese people in Sikkim follow Hinduism. However, the former royal family and officials were Buddhist. Sikkim is famous for its many Buddhist monasteries. People often speak Tibeto-Burmese languages and dialects.

Mountains and Hot Springs
Climate and Weather
Lakes of Sikkim
Food and Local Dishes
Images for kids
See also

Mountains and Hot Springs

Sikkim is the second smallest state in India, after Goa. But it has many different natural features. These include thick forests, flowing rivers, and tall mountains. Most of the very high mountains, over 6,100 meters (20,000 feet) tall, are in the western part of the state. Mount Kanchenjunga is one of them.

Other tall mountains in this area include Kabru (the second tallest), Sinilchu, Pandim, and Rothong. On the eastern side, the highest peak is Paunhri, which is about 6,700 meters (22,000 feet) tall. Many mountains in Sikkim have never been climbed. This is because the local people consider them sacred and believe climbing them would make them lose their holiness.

Sikkim also has many hot springs. These springs are known to be good for health. Some of the main hot springs are at Phurchachu (Reshi), Yumthang, and Borang. All these hot springs have a lot of sulfur. They are usually found near river banks. The water in these hot springs is usually around 50°C (122°F).

Climate and Weather

Sikkim experiences five different seasons: winter, summer, spring, autumn, and the monsoon season. The climate in Sikkim changes a lot from south to north. In the south, it's sub-tropical, meaning it's warm. In the far north, it's like a tundra, which is very cold.

Most areas where people live have a temperate climate. This means temperatures rarely go above 28°C (82°F) in summer. The average yearly temperature for most of Sikkim is about 18°C (64°F).

Sikkim is one of the few states in India that gets regular snowfall. The line where snow starts to fall ranges from 6,100 meters (20,000 feet) in the south to 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) in the north. The cold, tundra-like region in the north is covered in snow for four months each year. Temperatures there often drop below 0°C (32°F) almost every night. In the mountains of north-western Sikkim, the peaks are frozen all year round. Temperatures can drop to as low as -40°C (-40°F) in winter because of the high altitude.

During the monsoon season, Sikkim gets very heavy rains. These rains increase the chance of landslides, where large amounts of earth and rocks slide down hills. The longest period of continuous rain recorded in Sikkim was 11 days. Fog is also common in many parts of the state during winter and monsoons. This can make travel difficult and dangerous.

Lakes of Sikkim

The Teesta River, a major waterway in Sikkim.

Sikkim is home to several beautiful lakes. One well-known lake is Lake Changu (also called Tsomgo). It is located about 35 kilometers from Gangtok, on the way to Nathula. This lake sits at a high altitude of about 3,693 meters (12,116 feet) above Sea level.

Two other lakes close by are Bidangcho and Mememcho. Lake Kechopari is another famous lake. You can find it between the towns of Gyalshing and Yoksum.

Many lakes in Sikkim are found near the western border. These include Laxmipokhari, Lampokhari, Majurpokhari, Dud Phokhari, and Samiti Lake. There are also the twin lakes of Ram-Laxman in this area.

The largest lake in Sikkim is Gurudogmar, which is located in North Sikkim.

Food and Local Dishes

The people of Sikkim, known as Sikkimese people, usually eat simple but tasty meals. Their main foods include rice, green vegetables, potatoes, and dal (a lentil soup). They also enjoy traditional Nepali foods like sinky, Kenama, and Gundruk.

Momo is a very popular treat in Sikkim, originally from Nepal. These are dumplings made by stuffing flour dough with meat and vegetable fillings. Momos are often served with soup and a spicy chili sauce. You can find them in almost every local restaurant and fast food shop.

Thukpa is another popular dish. It is a noodle soup that usually contains vegetables and beef.

Seal Roti is a traditional Nepali food. It is made by grinding rice and water into a paste, which is then deep-fried. People usually eat Seal Roti with potato curry. This dish is often prepared during local festivals like Dasai and Tihar.

Gundruk is a dish made from the leaves of the mustard oil plant. The leaves are dried in the sun and then boiled with other ingredients to create a flavorful dish.

Images for kids

Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim
An 1876 map of Sikkim.
Sikkim is in the lower center of this NASA satellite photo of the Tibetan Plateau.
A beautiful waterfall in Sikkim.
The red panda is the state animal of Sikkim.
The runway at Pakyong Airport, the first new airport built in Northeast India.
The Teesta River is considered the state's most important waterway.
A bus traveling from Gangtok to Siliguri.
Nathu La Pass – a border crossing between India and China.
A little girl from Kaluk Bazaar.
The traditional Gumpa dance being performed in Lachung during the Buddhist festival of Losar.
The Dro-dul Chorten Stupa in Gangtok.
Sikkim Manipal University Campus, Gangtok.
M. G. Marg in Gangtok.
Jorethang at night time.
Elaichi, or cardamom, is the main cash crop grown in Sikkim.
Temi Tea Garden, Namchi, Sikkim.
A panoramic view of the tea garden at Temi, Sikkim.
Terraced rice paddy fields in Sikkim.
Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple in Legship is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.
Inside view of Rumtek Monastery.
Vishwa Vinayak Temple at Rhenock.