This document provides information about an art integrated project on Sikkim created by three students from Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1. It includes a map of Sikkim, the history and geography of Sikkim, and details on its flora, fauna, demographics, and culture. The key points are that Sikkim was an independent monarchy that joined India in 1975, it has diverse mountainous terrain and subarctic to subtropical climates, and the majority religion is now Hinduism despite its Buddhist historical influence. Festivals celebrated include Losar marking the Tibetan New Year and Saga Dawa commemorating the life of Buddha.

1. ENGLISH
ART INTEGRATED PROJECT
SIKKIM
KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA NO-1

2. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
MEMBERS
1) SOURAV SINGH
2) ANSHUMAN NAGWAL
3) SANKET BHARTI
CLASS : 11- B

3. MAP OF SIKKIM

4. HISTORY OF SIKKIM
Nestled in the mountains between India and Tibet, Sikkim's culture has long been a mixture of
traditional animist beliefs, Buddhism — which became the dominant religion in the eighth century —
and Hindu influences from neighbouring Bengal and Nepal.
Long an independent monarchy, in the 19th century Sikkim ceded present-day Darjeeling to the
British. In exchange, the rest of the country was made a suzerain state of the empire, meaning it
maintained internal autonomy but let Britain handle its external affairs. This agreement stuck after
Indian independence in 1947, but things soon became complicated for the small country. Refugees
poured into Sikkim after China's 1959 crackdown in Tibet, and India established an increased military
presence along the border near Lhasa. Meanwhile, the ethnic makeup of Sikkim had been transformed
by years of heavy immigration from Nepal; the country was now a Hindu majority controlled by a
Buddhist monarchy and clergy.
Things came to a head in 1975, when Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi organized a referendum
that abolished the monarchy and formally incorporated Sikkim into India.

5. OLD MAP OF SIKKIM

6. GEOGRAPHY OF SIKKIM
Nestling in the Himalayan mountains, the state of Sikkim is
characterised by mountainous terrain. Almost the entire state is hilly,
with an elevation ranging from 280 metres (920 ft) in the south at border
with West Bengal to 8,586 metres (28,169 ft) in northern peaks near
Nepal and Tibet. The summit of Kangchenjunga, the world's third-
highest peak, is the state's highest point, situated on the border between
Sikkim and Nepal . Numerous snow-fed streams have carved out river
valleys in the west and south of the state. These streams combine into
the major Teesta River and its tributary, the Rangeet, which flow through
the state from north to south. The state has 28 mountain peaks, more
than 80 glaciers, 227 high-altitude lakes (including
the Tsongmo, Gurudongmar and Khecheopalri Lakes), five major ho
springs, and more than 100 rivers and streams. Eight Mountai
passes connect the state to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal

7. 1) GEOLOGY
The hills of Sikkim mainly consist
of gneiss and schist which weather to produce generally poor and
shallow brown clay soils. The soil is coarse, with large
concentrations of iron oxide; it ranges from neutral to acidic and is
lacking in organic and mineral nutrients. This type of soil tends to
support evergreen and deciduous forests .
The rock consists of phyllites and schists, and is highly
susceptible to weathering and erosion. This, combined with the
state's heavy rainfall, causes extensive soil erosion and the loss of
soil nutrients through leaching. As a result, landslides are
frequent, often isolating rural towns and villages from the major
urban centres

9. 2) CLIMATE
The state has five seasons: winter, summer, spring, autumn, and monsoon season. Sikkim's
climate ranges from sub-tropical in the south to tundra in the north. Most of the inhabited
regions of Sikkim experience a temperate climate, with temperatures seldom exceeding
28 °C (82 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature for most of Sikkim is around 18 °C
(64 °F).
Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall. The snow line ranges from
6,100 metres (20,000 ft) in the south of the state to 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) in the north. The
tundra-type region in the north is snowbound for four months every year, and the temperature
drops below 0 °C (32 °F) almost every night. In north-western Sikkim, the peaks are frozen
year-round; because of the high altitude, temperatures in the mountains can drop to as low as
−40 °C (−40 °F) in winter.
During the monsoon, heavy rains increase the risk of landslides. The record for the longest
period of continuous rain in Sikkim is 11 days. Fog affects many parts of the state during
winter and the monsoons, making transportation perilous

11. FLORA OF SIKKIM
Sikkim is home to around 5,000 species of flowering plants, 515
rare orchids, 60 primula species, 36 rhododendron species, 11 oak varieties,
23 bamboo varieties, 16 conifer species, 362 types of ferns and ferns allies,
8 tree ferns, and over 900 medicinal plants . The Noble Dendrobium is the
official flower of Sikkim, while the rhododendron is the state tree.
Orchids, figs, laurel, bananas, sal trees and bamboo grow in the Himalayan
subtropical broadleaf forests of the lower altitudes of Sikkim. In the
temperate elevations above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) there are Eastern
Himalayan broadleaf forests, where
oaks, chestnuts, maples, birches, alders, and magnolias grow in large
numbers, as well as Himalayan subtropical pine forests, dominated by Chir
pine. Alpine-type vegetation is typically found between an altitude of 3,500
to 5,000 metres (11,500 to 16,400 ft). In lower elevations are found juniper,
pine, firs, cypresses and rhododendrons from the Eastern Himalaya
subalpine conifer forests. Higher up are Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub
and meadows and high-altitude wetlands, which are home to a wide variety
of rhododendrons and wildflowers
Rhododendron

12. FAUNA OF SIKKIM
The fauna of Sikkim include the snow leopard, musk deer, Himalaya
tahr, red panda, Himalayan marmot, Himalayan serow, Himalayan
goral, muntjac, common langur, Asian black bear, clouded
leopard,marbled cat, leopard cat, dhole, Tibetan wolf, hog
badger, binturong, and Himalayan jungle cat. Among the animals
more commonly found in the alpine zone are yaks, mainly reared for
their milk, meat, and as a beast of burden . The avifauna of Sikkim
include the impeyan pheasant, crimson horned pheasant, snow
partridge, Tibetan snowcock, bearded vulture and griffon vulture, as
well as golden
eagle, quails, plovers, woodcocks, sandpipers, pigeons, Old World
flycatchers, babblers and robins. Sikkim has more than 550 species
of birds, some of which have been declared endangered
The red panda is the
state animal of Sikkim.

13. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
SYMBOLS OF SIKKIM
EMBLEM MAMMAL BIRD
FLOWER TREE

14. DEMOGRAPHICS
1) POPULATION
Sikkim is India's least populous state, with 610,577
inhabitants according to the 2011 census. Sikkim is also
one of the least densely populated Indian states, with only
86 persons per square kilometre. However, it has a high
population growth rate, averaging 12.36% per cent
between 2001 and 2011. The sex ratio is 889 females per
1,000 males, with a total of 321,661 males and 286,027
females recorded in 2011. With around 98,000 inhabitants
as of 2011, the capital Gangtok is the most significant
urban area in the mostly rural state; in 2005, the urban
population in Sikkim constituted around 11.06 per cent of
the total. In 2011, the average per capita income in Sikkim
stood at ₹ 81,159 (US$1,305)
YEAR POPU. % P.A
1901 59,014 —
1911 87,920 +4.07%
1921 81,721 −0.73%
1931 109,808 +3.00%
1941 121,520 +1.02%
1951 137,725 +1.26%
1961 162,189 +1.65%
1971 209,843 +2.61%
1981 316,385 +4.19%
1991 406,457 +2.54%
2001 540,851 +2.90%
2011 610,577 +1.22%

15. 2) ETHNICITY
ETHNICITY
Nepali Sikkimese Limbu Lepcha Hindi Sherpa
Tamang Bhojpuri Rai Bengali Other
The majority of Sikkim's residents are
of Nepali ethnic origin. The native
Sikkimese consist of the Bhutias, who migrated
from the Kham district of Tibet in the 14th century,
and the Lepchas, who are believed to pre-date the
Bhutias and are the oldest known
inhabitants. Tibetans reside mostly in the northern
and eastern reaches of the state. Migrant resident
communities
include Bengalis, Biharis and Marwaris, who are
prominent in commerce in South
Sikkim and Gangtok

16. 3) RELIGION
RELIGION
Hinduism Bugghism Christanity Islam
Sikhism Jainism Other No religion
According to the 2011 census, 57.8%
follow Hinduism, making it the state's majority
religion. Buddhism is followed by 27.4% of the
population, while Christianity is followed by 9.9%.
Vajrayana Buddhism, which accounts for 27.3 percent
of the population, is Sikkim's second-largest, yet most
prominent religion . Christians in Sikkim are mostly
descendants of Lepchas who were converted by
British missionaries in the late 19th century, and
constitute around 10 percent of the population . Other
religious minorities include Muslims of Bihari ethnicity
and Jains, who each account for roughly one percent
of the population.The traditional religions of the native
Sikkimese account for much of the remainder of the
population.

17. CULTURE
OF
SIKKIM

18. FESTIVALS
1) SAGA DAWA
The Saga Dawa festival is one of the most important
festivals for the people of Sikkim celebrated with much
enthusiasm in the capital city Gangtok. The Mahayana
Buddhist tradition recognizes the full moon day of the fourth
month of the Buddhist calendar as the anniversary of
Buddha's birth, his enlightenment, and his Nirvana. The day
is celebrated by various names across India and abroad.
Saga Dawa is the one among the many ways in which
devotees commemorate the day. Festivity occurs across
Gangtok in the form of processions, prayers, and extending
alms to the needy. The customs and rituals, carried out in
remembrance of the Buddha, are said to bear fruits for the
observers in the future.

19. .
2) LOSAR
Losar is one of the most significant celebrations for
Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh. This happy celebration
denotes the start of the New Year. Losar is appreciated
ideally in Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan, and each has its
customs. They are prepared to invite the new year with
riches and delight. In any case, during Losar in Ladakh,
the Buddhists offer their strict conviction before their
gods in the holy places and Gompas. All through the
celebration, you will undoubtedly discover blending
social occasions, ceremonies that have been followed
since ages and conventional and old exhibitions, such
as move and people melodies. Even though there
might be no fixed date for the favorable event, the
times are typically fixed according to the Lunar
schedule.

20. 3) SONAM LOCHHAR
Sonam Lhochhar, also spelled as Sonam Lhosar is the most
significant and extravagant festival of this culturally rich
community, which marks the beginning of the Tibetan New Year
and is celebrated with great fanfare and zeal every time; men &
women adorned in their colourful and traditional attires, masked
men dancing to the rhythmic beats of damphu (a traditional
small round drum) . Sonam Lhosar is said to have a history
dating back to thousands of years and works in close
accordance to the rules of the Tibetan lunar calendar. The first
day of new moon in the month of Magh (when Lord Buddha is
believed to have born) counts as the greatest day of
significance for Tamangs and that is the reason, this day marks
the beginning of the Sonam Lhosar festival . Precisely, Sonam
Lhosar commences during Magha on Shukla Pratipada
(beginning of the spring season), which happens to fall
somewhere in the month of January-February.

21. MUSIC AND DANCE
1) CHU-FATT
Literal meaning of Chu is Snowy Range, while that of Faat is
Worship.This group folk dance is performed in the honour of
Mount Khangchendzonga, the guardian deity of the Sikkimese
people. The dancers while carrying butter lamps and green
bamboo leaves perform a ritualistic dance by singing
devotional songs.
2) CHYAP-BRUNG
Chyap-Brung is the traditional musical instrument of the
Limboo community. It is like a Dholak in shape but much
bigger in size. During the course of group dance, male
dancers hang the instrument around their necks with the help
of a rope and beat the drum with an open palm on one side
and a stick on the other. Such a manoeuvre produces two
different sounds which echo boldly in valleys and mountains.

22. 3) KAGYED DANCE
Kagyed actually means the oral transmission of the eight
Tantric Gods found in Tantric Buddhism. Kagyed Chham is
a word of Bhutia origin. ‘Ka’ means ‘oral
transmission’, ‘Gyed’ means
‘eight’ and ‘Chham’ means ritualistic dance. This ritualistic
dance is held every year in various Sikkimese Monastery.
It is a time of celebration for the Bhutias as they welcome
the New Year. They visit the monasteries and offer prayers
by lighting butter lamps and offering cash and kinds to the
monasteries.4) NAUMATI DANCE
In this beautiful group dance of Damai community nine
kinds of musical instruments are used to perfection.
These are two types of Senai ( Shehnai), Turhi, small
and big, Damaha (Nagara) of two types, Tuyamko
(Small Dhol) of two types, Dholki and Jhyamta
(cymbal). The Naumati Baja is a regular feature during
the wedding and other auspicious occasions.

23. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
COSTUMES
1) Bhutia Tribe - Bakhu/Kho
The main costume donned by Bhutias is the Bakhu (according to
the Nepalese dialect) or Kho (according to the Bhutia dialect).
Worn by men and women alike, Bakhu is very similar to the
Tibetan Chuba, except that it is sleeveless. It is a loose cloak-like
garb which is tied at the neck and tightened around the waist by
a belt made of silk or cotton.
2) PHARIA
Augmenting the grace of Nepalese women, the traditional attire
called Pharia is available in a variety of different hues. Like in the
case of the Bhutias, a long, loose blouse fastened on four sides is
worn, standing true to its name, Chaubandi Cholo. For extra
coverage, the upper body is wrapped elegantly with a piece of
cloth that comes in beautiful prints, known as Hembari. Majetro
shawl is also used by them.
In addition to the Pharia, Nepalese women wear a piece of
colourful cloth suspended from head to waist while dancing. It is
called Pachauri

24. CUISINE
1) THUPKA
Thukpa is a kind of noodle soup of Tibetan origin that
has found its way to being one of the most loved food in
Sikkim. Thukpa is something that is very healthy and
tasty at the same time . One can find almost every kind
of locally grown vegetable in this soup, but the most
common ones are carrots, bell peppers, spinach,
cauliflower and celery.
2) PHAGSHAPA
Phagshapa is a strip of pork fat which is stewed with
dry chillies and radish. A spicy and tangy endeavour of
this Sikkimese dish is rich in proteins and is made of
no oil. Well for vegetarians, there is no substitute for
pork in this dish so there is nothing much you can do.
The Golden Dragon hotel in Gangtok serves the most
authentic and delicious Phagshapa in the whole of
Sikkim

25. 3) SHA PHALEY
This wonderful dish of Tibetan origin is literally heaven on
your taste buds. Everyone loves bread, everyone loves
meat, everyone loves the deep-fried stuff, and Sha Phaley
has all three. Bread stuffed with ground beef and cabbage
made into semi-circles and then deep-fried is everything that
you need to know about this famous food of Sikkim. Crispy
on the outside and heavenly on the inside,
4) GUNDRUK
Gundruk is a food of Nepalese origin and is one of the
staple foods of Sikkim. Gundruk is a leafy dish that is
completely vegan and is made out of some leaves of
mustard, cabbage or radish. Properly made Gundruk is
only found in villages that people make in their
households

26. 5) DAL BHAT
Dal Bhat is nothing but a Lentil Soup with Rice. Dal Bhat
is a staple food in Sikkim which is served with tarkari
(vegetable curry) or meat and chutney. Dal Bhat
interestingly is a staple in many kinds of cuisines from
South Asia.
6) DHINDO
Dhindo is prepared by boiling water and slowly
pouring in buckwheat, ground millet or cornflour. The
mixture is then continuously stirred until a sticky
paste is formed. The paste is rolled into balls, dipped
into lentil soup or chutney and swallowed since the
millets stick between the teeth. This dish is
consumed on a daily basis in Sikkim and Nepal.

27. TOURIST PLACES
GANGTOK TSOMGO LAKE

28. NATHULA PASS PEILLING

29. GURUDONGMAR LAKE RAVANGLA LAKE

30. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
WRITERS AND POETS
GADUL SINGH LAMA GYATSHO TSHERING