| Sikkim Culture |
| Sikkim is India's least populous state and has 540,493 inhabitants. It is also one of the least densely populated states with only 76 people per square kilometre. With 50,000 inhabitants, Gangtok is the state's only significant town. The urban population in Sikkim is 11.06%. The per capita income stands at Rs 11,356, which is one of the highest in the country. The majority of Sikkim's residents are of Nepali origin who arrived in the 19th century. 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 have migrated from the Far East. The current population is approximately 13% Lepcha, 16% Bhutias and 67% Nepali. Tibetans reside mostly in the northern and eastern reaches of the state. Immigrant resident communities include the Biharis, Bengalis and Marwaris who own most of the shops in South Sikkim and Gangtok. Religon Hinduism is the major religion in the state (61%), followed by Buddhism (28%). Sikkim has 75 monasteries, the oldest dating back to the 1700s. The Christians are mostly Lepcha people who were converted by British missionaries since the late 19th century. Among other minorities are Muslims of Bihari ethnicity and Jains. Though tensions between the Lepchas and the Nepalese escalated during the merger of Sikkim with India, there has never been any communal violence unlike most other states. Language The dominant language in Sikkim is Nepali. Bhutia and Lepcha are also common. English and Hindi are also spoken and understood in most of Sikkim. Other languages include Dzongkha, Groma, Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Majhi, Majhwar, Nepal Bhasa, Rai, Sikkimese, Sherpa, Sunuwar, Tamang, Thulung, Tibetan, and Yakha. Festivals The Sikkimese celebrate all major Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Dussera. Nepali festivals like Tihar and Bhimsen Puja are common. Losar, Loosong, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen, Drupka Teshi and Bhumchu are Buddhist festivals. During the Losar (Tibetan New Year) most offices and educational institutions are closed for a week. Muslims celebrate Id-ul-fitr and Muharram. Christmas has also been promoted in Gangtok to attract tourists during the off-season. |