Sikkim is also popularly known as " The Crested Land " as it offers its own wonderland of incomparable beauty with its turquoise blue lakes and lonely dales.

Two thousand years ago, Lord Gautama Buddha delivered his first Sermon in a deer park near Benaras. Time has honored the holy Sarnath sculpture that was put up in memory of the momentous event. A replica of the sculpture is found in Sikkim where, in the valley on the fringe of Tashiling the imperial Secretariat, a sheer 1000 feet below it was enriched and a deer park was created. This park is a symbol of peace and harmony between neighbours. The royal Chapel " Tsuklakhang Royal " stands resplendent in the Palace grounds, dressed carefully in saffron, yellow or maroon robes, the lamas offer a scene of peace and harmony. Sikkim as the invading Gorkhas called it is a Prabatiya name, derived from a Sanskrit word " 'Sikkim' meaning 'Crested'.

A very peculiar feature of this crested land is that, there is not a single kilometre of " Flat land ". The Tibetan name for Sikkim is " Denzong " the valley of rice. The name Sikkim was given by the states first ruler, Panche Namgye when he established his kingdom built a palace at Rabdentse.

Sikkim is situated in the lap of the Eastern Himalayas below Kanchenjunga. To the North of Sikkim lies the vast area of the Tibetan plateau. The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, lies at an altitude of 1600 metres. It occupies the West Side of a long ridge, flanking River Ranipool. Gangtok has a very spectacular setting and offers excellent views of entire Kanchenjunga range.

Sikkim is the 22nd state of India. Lepchas, a peace loving people were the original inhabitants of Sikkim. In the 13th century the Bhotias inhabitants of Bhot (Tibet) came to Sikkim & settled there.

Some where in the 13th century, Guru Tashi, a prince of Tibet had a divine vision that he should go to South to seek his fortune in ‘Denzong’ valley of rice. As directed by the divine vision he along with his five sons headed in Southern direction. On their way they came across, Sakya kingdom where monastery was being built. The workers were trying too hard to erect pillars for the monastery.

The elder son of Guru Tashi raised the pillar single handedly and thereby came to be known as "Khye Bhumsa" meaning the superior of 10,000 heros. Khye Bumsa married the daughter of Skaya King Guru Tashi died and Khye Bhumsa settled in Chumbi valley. Nipon-Rab the 3rd son suceeded his father Khye-Bumsa Guru Tashi, was the fourth son of Nippon-Rab, who shifted to Gangtok. Guru Tashi gave protection to Lepcha. The great grand son of Guru Tashi, Phunstok Namgyal at the age of 38, became the first king of Sikkim in 1642 AD.

" Blood Pheasant " is the state bird & over 600 species of butterflies have been identified in Sikkim. The most colourful birds are fairly blue birds, ashy woodpecker, kingfisher, cuckoo, suntan tit etc. Bearded - Vulture & Olive Ground Wabler are also found in Sikkim.

Vegetable: Peas, potatoes, radish, turnip, cabbage, and carrot.

Rice is produced in small quantity. Maize and millets are plenty. Cardamom grows in abundance. Sikkim tea is famous all over the world. Oranges are plenty in Southern part while apples grow in north.