Capital of Sikkim

Capital of Sikkim: Gangtok, the largest city in Sikkim, is its capital. It is also the headquarters of the Gangtok district. It is located in the eastern Himalayan region, with an elevation of 1,650 m (5,410 feet). In this article, we will learn about various facts about Sikkim’s capital. From its geography to demographics, culture, climate, administration, and population, you will get the answers to all your questions.

Capital of Sikkim

Gangtok, the largest city in Sikkim

• People living in Gangtok have diverse ethnicities like Lepchas, Bhutias, and Gorkhas.

• The tourism industry in Sikkim is heavily reliant on Gangtok. Most of the locals are employed in the tourism industry.

• Ecotourism like river rafting, mountaineering, trekking, etc. is quite famous here.

• When India was colonized by the British, the major trade route between Calcutta and Tibet was Gangtok.

• An important site of Buddhist pilgrimage is Sikkim.

• Gangtok has several industries like handicrafts, country-made alcohol, and cottage

Sikkim

• The Sikkim Kingdom, ruled by the Chogyal, was founded by the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century. They were the Buddhist priest-kings.

• In 1947, Sikkim remained an independent monarchy, soon after independence.

• In 1975, Sikkim was united with India. When Sikkim merged with India, it became the 22nd state.

• Sikkim shares borders with West Bengal.

• Sikkim shares borders with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and the Tibet region of China.

• Pakyong Airport, the first airport in Sikkim, was inaugurated in 2018. This is the only airport in Sikkim and the first greenfield airport in Northeast India.

• Khangchendzonga National Park covers around 35% of the geographical area of Sikkim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Official languages of Sikkim are English, Lepcha, Sikkimese, and Nepali. Sikkim is a multilingual state. Other official languages: Tamang, Sherpa, Rai, Newari, Mukhia, Magar, Limbu, and Gurung.

• The main religions followed by people in Sikkim are Vajrayana Buddhism and Hinduism.

• Sikkim’s economy is mainly dependent on the tourism and agriculture industries.

• After Guatemala, Sikkim is the world’s second-largest producer of spice.

• Sikkim is one of the largest producers of cardamom in India.

The geography of Gangtok

Gangtok is flanked on the east and west sides by two streams, Roro Chu and Ranikhola, which divide the natural drainage into two parts, eastern and western. Mostly there are steep roads, with the buildings built on compact ground alongside them.

Gangtok, which is full of Precambrian rocks, has foliated phyllites and schists; slopes are therefore prone to frequent landslides. Surface runoff of water by natural streams (jhora) and man-made drains increases the risk of landslides.

Higher peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges can be seen from Gangtok.

Gangtok has dense forests—temperate, deciduous forests of poplar, birch, oak, and elm—as well as evergreen, coniferous trees in the wet alpine zone. Orchids are common, and rare varieties of orchids can be found here. Bamboo is also abundant.

In the lower reaches of Gangtok, vegetation gradually changes from alpine to temperate, deciduous, and subtropical. Flowers like sunflowers, marigolds, poinsettias, and others bloom, particularly in November and December.

Climate

Gangtok has a monsoon-influenced subtropical highland climate. Because of its elevation and sheltered environment, it has a mild, temperate climate all year round.

Civic Administration

• Gangtok is administered by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) along with various departments of the Government of Sikkim, particularly the Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) and the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). Such departments have multiple functions like garbage disposal, water supply, tax collection, license allotments, and civic infrastructure.

• An administrator appointed by the state government heads the UDHD.

• As the headquarters of East Sikkim district, Gangtok houses the offices of the district collector, an administrator appointed by the Union Government of India.

• Gangtok is also the seat of the Sikkim High Court, which is India’s smallest High Court in terms of area and population of jurisdiction.

• Gangtok does not have its own police commissionerate like the other major cities in India. It comes under the jurisdiction of the state police, which is headed by a Director General of Police, although an Inspector General of Police oversees the town.

• Gangtok is within the Sikkim Lok Sabha constituency that elects a member to the Lok Sabha (Lower House) of the Indian Parliament. The city elects one member in the Sikkim state legislative assembly, the Vidhan Sabha.

Demographics

Ethnic Nepalis, who settled in Gangtok during British rule, constitute the majority of its residents. Lepchas, native to the land, and Bhutias constitute a sizeable portion of the populace as well.

Additionally, a large number of Tibetans have immigrated to the town. Immigrant resident communities not native to the region are the Marwaris, Biharis, and Bengalis.

Religion in Gangtok City

Hinduism	58.81%
Buddhism	28.15%
Christianity	9.07%
Islam	3.14%
Other or not stated	0.83%

Culture

• Apart from festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Christmas, and Holi, the diverse ethnic populace of Gangtok also celebrates several local festivals. The Lepchas and Bhutias celebrate the new year in January, while Tibetans celebrate the new year (Losar) with “Devil Dance” in January–February.

• A popular food in Gangtok is momo. Another food popular here is the Wai-Wai, which is a packaged snack of noodles eaten either dry or in soup form. A form of noodle called thukpa, served in soup form, is also popular. Other noodle-based foods like chowmein, thenthuk, fakthu, gyathuk, and wonton are available.

• Other traditional Sikkimese cuisines include shah-phaley (Sikkimese patties with spiced minced meat in a crisp samosa-like case) and Gack-ko soup.

• Football (soccer), cricket, and archery are quite popular in Gangtok.

• Thangka, a notable handicraft, is a hand-painted religious scroll in colors drawn on a fabric hung in a monastery or a family altar and occasionally carried by monks in ceremonial processions.

• Chhaams are vividly costumed monastic dances performed on ceremonial and festive occasions, especially in the monasteries during the Tibetan New Year.

Important Things to know about Gangtok

Famous places in Gangtok	M.G. Marg, Gangtok cable car, Gangtok from Tibet Road, Rumtek Monastery, Dro-dul Chorten, Kangchenjunga view from Gangtok
Country	India
State	Sikkim
District	Gangtok
Government Type Body Mayor	Municipal Corporation Gangtok Municipal Corporation Nell Bahadur Chettri
Area Total	19.2 sq.km (7.4 sq. mile)
Elevation	1,650 m (5,410 ft.)
Population (2011) Total Density	100,290 5,332/sq. km (13,810/ sq. mile)
Languages Official Additional official	English, Nepali, Sikkimese, Lepcha Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Mukhia, Newari, Rai, Sherpa, Tamang
Time Zone	UTC+ 5.30 (IST)
PIN	737101
Telephone Code	03592
Vehicle registration	SK-01
Website	gmcsikkim.in
Coordinates	27.33°N 88.62°E

Conclusion

Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim. The city is well known for its food, dance forms, and handicrafts. If you want to know complete information about the city, the above article is for you. From population to culture, we have listed everything in this article.

FAQs on Capital of Sikkim

1. What is the capital and language of Sikkim?

Sikkim’s capital is Gangtok. It is a multilingual state. English, Lepcha, Sikkimese, Nepali, etc. are the official languages of Sikkim.

2. Which is the second capital of Sikkim?

Sikkim has just one capital, which is Gangtok.

3. Is Sikkim a state or capital?

Sikkim is the second-smallest state in India, located in north-east India. It is the least populous state in India. West Bengal shares its borders with Sikkim.

4. Who was the last king of Sikkim?

The last king of Sikkim was Palden Thondup Namgyal.

5. What is Sikkim known for?

Sikkim is a famous tourist destination. The world’s third-highest peak, Kanchenjunga, lies in the border region between Sikkim and Nepal. It has beautiful meadows, waterfalls, Buddhist gompas, etc.