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Sikkim

The Land of Mystical Beauty and Cultural Richness

The sacred high-altitude Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

A breathtaking Himalayan state known for its pristine landscapes, vibrant monasteries, and warm hospitality. Home to the majestic Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world, Sikkim blends spirituality, adventure, and natural splendor. From the serene Rumtek Monastery to the cascading Banjhakri Falls, Sikkim offers an enchanting escape into nature and tradition.

Must-Visit Attractions in Sikkim

Glacial Tsomgo Lake in Sikkim reflecting Himalayan skies, with yaks grazing nearby.

Tsomgo Lake

A stunning glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, located at 12,400 ft. It is considered sacred by locals and offers yak rides in winter.

Historic Nathula Pass in Sikkim, a snowy gateway on the India-China border.

Nathula Pass

A historic mountain pass at 14,140 ft, connecting India and China. Once part of the ancient Silk Route, it offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into border trade.

Golden stupas and prayer flags adorn Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim.

Rumtek Monastery

The largest monastery in Sikkim, known for its golden stupas, intricate murals, and spiritual significance as the seat of the Karmapa lineage.

Panoramic view of Kanchenjunga from Pelling, Sikkim’s serene hill town.

Pelling

A scenic town with panoramic views of Kanchenjunga, home to the Pemayangtse Monastery and the Skywalk at Singshore Bridge (the highest suspension bridge).

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Heritage of Sikkim

The towering Buddha statue at Tathagata Tsal in Sikkim’s Namchi.
Tathagata Tsal

Sikkim is a vibrant cultural mosaic, blending the traditions of the indigenous Lepchas, Bhutias, and Nepali communities with deep-rooted Buddhist influences. The state is dotted with ancient monasteries like Pemayangtse, Tashiding, and Phodong, which stand as spiritual and architectural marvels. Historic sites such as the Rabdentse Ruins, the former capital of Sikkim, offer glimpses into its royal past. Additionally, Sikkim takes pride in its UNESCO Tentative List site, the Sacred Ensembles of the Himalayas, which includes Dubdi Monastery—the oldest in the state—showcasing its rich religious heritage. This harmonious mix of spirituality, history, and culture makes Sikkim a unique and enchanting destination.

The Performing Arts of Sikkim

Sikkim’s performing arts beautifully reflect its cultural diversity through vibrant dances and music. The state is renowned for sacred monastic Cham dances featuring elaborate masks, performed during Buddhist festivals. Folk traditions like the energetic Singhi Chham (Snow Lion dance) and graceful Maruni highlight indigenous roots. Traditional music blends Tibetan chants, Nepali folk tunes with damphu drums, and Lepcha melodies. These art forms, passed through generations, remain integral to Sikkim’s identity and celebrations.

Music Form

Sikkim’s music echoes its cultural diversity, featuring monastic chants with traditional horns and drums, Nepali folk tunes like Tamang Selo (played with the damphu), and vibrant Lepcha melodies. The state’s soundscape blends spiritual Buddhist hymns, lively Hakparey harvest songs, and the rhythmic beats of Maruni performances during festivals.

Monks chanting ancient prayers in a Sikkim monastery.

Traditional Buddhist Chants

Sacred monastic rituals featuring deep resonant horns, rhythmic drums, and clashing cymbals, creating a spiritual atmosphere in monasteries.

Musicians playing Tamang Selo folk music with a damphu drum in Sikkim.

Tamang Selo

A vibrant Nepali folk music tradition accompanied by the damphu (handheld drum), known for its catchy rhythms and storytelling lyrics.

Dancers in traditional attire performing Maruni during Sikkim’s festivals.

Maruni & Hakparey

Joyful folk songs sung during festivals and celebrations, often accompanied by traditional instruments and dance movements.

Dance Form

Sikkim’s dances are a vibrant celebration of its heritage: the sacred Cham (masked monastery dances), the graceful Singhi Chham (Snow Lion Dance), and energetic Nepali folk dances like Maruni and Khukuri Naach. Tribal performances like Yak Chaam (mimicking yaks) and Lepcha folk dances add to the colorful tapestry of traditions.

Colorful Cham mask dance at a Buddhist festival in Sikkim.

Mask Dance

A sacred Buddhist ritual dance performed by monks in elaborate masks during festivals like Losar, depicting spiritual stories and deities.

Dancers in snow lion costumes celebrating Sikkim’s cultural heritage.

Singhi Chham

The graceful “Snow Lion Dance,” where dancers in lion costumes symbolize Sikkim’s state animal in a mesmerizing performance.

Graceful Maruni dance performed by women in Sikkim’s Nepali community.

Maruni

An elegant Nepali folk dance performed in colorful traditional attire, often during weddings and cultural events.

Others dance forms -Yak Chaam

Festivals and Celebrations​

Sikkim’s festivals are a vibrant blend of spirituality, culture, and communal joy. Losar (Tibetan New Year) lights up monasteries with masked dances and prayers, while Saga Dawa honors Buddha’s life with grand processions. Pang Lhabsol uniquely worships Mount Kanchenjunga as a guardian deity, and Bumchu at Tashiding Monastery unveils prophecies through sacred water. Hindu festivals like Dasain and Tihar add a splash of Nepali traditions with feasts, lights, and music, making Sikkim a year-round celebration of unity in diversity.

Monks and locals celebrating Losar, the Tibetan New Year, in Sikkim.

Losar

Devotees lighting butter lamps during Saga Dawa festival in Sikkim.

Saga Dawa

Warrior dancers honoring Kanchenjunga at Pang Lhabsol in Sikkim.

Pang Lhabsol

Sikkim’s Cuisine

Steaming momos and thukpa, beloved street foods of Sikkim.

Momos & Thukpa

Spicy pork dish with radish, a traditional Sikkimese delicacy.

Phagshapa

Fermented leafy greens and radish, staple flavors of Sikkim.

Gundruk & Sinki

A delightful mix of Tibetan, Nepali, and Bhutia flavors, Sikkimese food is hearty and aromatic.

  • Momos & Thukpa: Steamed dumplings and noodle soup.

  • Phagshapa: Pork cooked with radish and chili.

  • Gundruk & Sinki: Fermented leafy greens and radish.

  • Sel Roti: A sweet, ring-shaped rice bread.

  • Chhurpi: A traditional Himalayan cheese.

  • Tongba: A millet-based alcoholic drink served in bamboo mugs.

Popular Shopping Items

From handwoven carpets & Thangkas to Temi Tea & Choktse tables, Sikkim offers unique souvenirs like silver jewelry, Buddhist amulets, and traditional Bhutia-Lepcha attire.

  • Handwoven Carpets & Thangkas – Exquisite Buddhist scroll paintings and traditional woolen carpets.
  • Choktse Tables – Foldable Tibetan-style wooden tables with intricate carvings.
  • Sikkimese Tea & Temi Tea – Premium organic tea from one of India’s finest tea estates.
  • Silver Jewelry & Buddhist Amulets – Traditional Bhutia and Nepali designs with spiritual significance.
  • Traditional Bhutia & Lepcha Attire – Vibrant handwoven dresses and jackets.
  • Handmade Paper & Bamboo Crafts – Eco-friendly souvenirs and decorative items.

Best Places to Shop: MG Marg (Gangtok), Lal Bazaar, and Old Markets in Namchi & Pelling.

Choktse Tables 

Sikkimese Tea & Temi Tea

Silver Jewelry & Buddhist Amulets

Traditional Bhutia & Lepcha Attire

Evolution of Sikkim

⇒ Ancient Times: Inhabited by Lepchas, the original tribal community.

⇒ 17th Century: Became a Buddhist kingdom under Phuntsog Namgyal.

⇒ 19th Century: Fell under British influence after conflicts with Nepal.

⇒ 1975: Merged with India as the 22nd state.

⇒ Today: A model of eco-tourism and cultural preservation, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Folk Dances of Sikkim

Vibrant traditional folk dances performed during festivals in Sikkim.

Sikkim Blogs

  • Hidden Gems of North Sikkim
  • Monastery Hopping in Gangtok
  • Trekking to Goecha La: A Himalayan Adventure
  • Sikkim’s Organic Farming Revolution

Recommended articles

  • Tsomgo Lake & Nathula Pass
  • Yumthang Valley
  • Lachung & Lachen
  • Namchi