Sikkim
Sikkim
Capital City: Gangtok
Population: 610,577
Area : 7,096 square kms
Average Climate: Climate is sub-tropical in the south and tundra in North Sikkim. The average temperature of Sikkim in summers is around 17 °C. High altitude areas have heavy snowfall during winters and the temperature drops below 0 °C during that time. In north west Sikkim the temperature drops down around -40 °C during winters.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Sikkim is during summers which is April till June.
The least populous state in India and the second smallest state after Goa don’t make the state any less interesting. In fact the Himalayan Mountain ranges make it one of the most beautiful states in the country. The state borders the Indian state of West Bengal to the south, Bhutan to the east and Tibet to the north. The climate ranges from sub tropical to high alpine. Sikkim is a famous tourist destination because of its location, culture and bio diversity. Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world lies on the Sikkim-Nepal border, making it a favourite spot for tourists. Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim.
Sikkim has a mountainous terrain; Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, is the state’s highest point. The state has 28 mountain peaks, more than 80 glaciers, 227 high-altitude lakes, 5 major hot springs, and more than 100 rivers and streams. The hot springs are known for their therapeutic properties. Sikkim experiences a moderate climate making it famous among the tourists. The highest temperature in summers seldom increases beyond 28ᵒC. Sikkim is situated in one of the three ecological hotspots of India and it houses more than 5000 species of flowering plants and many species of fauna.
Sikkim has a predominantly Hindu population; Diwali and Dussehra are the major festivals. Buddhism is the second major religion. Sikkim houses over 75 monasteries, which date back to the 1700’s. Nepali is the lingua franca of the state, while Sikkimese and Lepcha are also widely spoken.
The momos from Sikkim are famous all over India, the steamed dumplings usually filled with vegetables, buffalo meat and pork are served with spicy dips and soups. Other famous dishes include, Thukpa, chowmein, thanthuk, fakthu, gyathuk and wonton.
Sikkim also offers a number of adventure sports, its location in the Himalayas make it a suitable location for adventure sports. Tourists can try their hands at trekking, mountaineering, mountain biking. With almost 550 species of birds found in the state, Sikkim is a heaven for people who love bird watching. The state also has many temples and monasteries, like Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple, Sai Mandir, Solopok, Samdrupste, and Buddha Park.
With good food and amazing climate, Sikkim is the best place to visit if you want to enjoy a quite vacation in the lap of nature.
