Sikkim

Given the long drawn contentious history of ties between India and China, a resolve to underline a new principle seems a positive step.

village · river

View of Koktang, Frey Peak and Rathong peaks as seen from Bon Farmhouse in Kewzing village of West Sikkim, India. Kokthang is a peak and is located in India. The estimate terrain elevation above seal level is 5781 metres.

music

Fabulous Nepali folks play 'Madal' during Red Panda Winter Carnival in Sikkim, drumming up some impressive percussions. Madal is one of the famous folk musical instruments associated with Nepali culture and lifestyle.

flowers · industry

Blue-flowered torch is a perennial herb growing on other plant. It sports rosettes of arching, dark green leaves 30 to 50 cm.

flowers

Camellia sasanqua is a hardy, dense shrub that is suited to many uses. Considered slow growing, they eventually fill out to be wonderful fillers or hedges and provide colour in those dull winter months.

flowers · industry

A native of the warmer parts of America, Fairy Lily is a half-hardy bulbous plant bearing linear, hollow, strap-shaped or grass-like leaves.

Astonishing Ralang Monastery in Ravangla Town, Sikkim, northeastern India. The Buddhist monks are cleaning the Ralang Monastery, the monks carries water from pond to wash the floor of monastery.

flowers · hills

Seen in a high altitude meadow in North Sikkim, in the month of June, this prolific growth of Primula dickieana blossom is a rare sight for a Primula enthusiast! Most often seen flowing from June to August at altitudes ranging from 4000 to…

highway

The Ralang Monastery is located around 6 km from Ravangla, in the southern portion of Sikkim. Starting off from the Main Bazaar road in Ravangla, cross past all the shops to follow the jeepable road for about 20 minutes.

hills

Driving in towards Damthang from Ravangla in Sikkim Himalaya. Ravangla : Located in the magical environment of the plush Himalayan forest and colossal mountains which enhance the skyline, Ravangla is the perfect base for some of India's fin…

music

Visually challenged young girl mesmerises all with her sweet voice during Winter Carnival in Sikkim. She sings the famous bollywood number 'Ajeeb dastan hai yeh'. Sikkim gears up for its biggest event, Sikkim Winter Carnival 2014.

hills

Kangchenjunga looms over the horizon: India's tallest mountain situated on a saddle between Sikkim in India, and along the border with Nepal.

farmland · village

Sonam Bonpo grows Long beans and Rai organically at the garden of Bon Farmhouse in Sikkim. He manages this fine Sikkim homestay with Chewang Bonpo.

hills

Rai, Limbu and Lepcha communities parade at annual Red panda Winter Festival in Sikkim. The Khambu Rais or Rais are one of the most ancient indigenous ethnolinguistic groups of Nepal, the Indian State of Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills.

snow · wildlife

Seen here in Yumthang, Sikkim, the Snow Pigeon (Columba leuconota) is a species of bird in the Columbidae family. Known as the safed or barfeela kabutar or kabootar in India.

festival · politics

Sikkim musicians perform cover song 'Hey oh' by Red hot chilli peppers during Red Panda Sikkim Winter Carnival in Sikkim.

music

Folk musicians from nepal play Madal during Red Panda Winter Carnival in Sikkim. The Madal, used mainly for rhythm-keeping in Nepalese folk music, is the most popular and widely used hand drum in Nepal.

music · festival

Nepali singer sings 'Man saili timi swarga ki pari' at Red Panda Sikkim Winter Carnival in Sikkim.

hills

Driving in towards Damthang from Ravangla in Sikkim Himalaya. Ravangla : Located in the magical environment of the plush Himalayan forest and colossal mountains which enhance the skyline, Ravangla is the perfect base for some of India's fin…

dance · river

Dance group presenting a Bhutiya dance at the Sikkim Winter Carnival, Sikkim - India. Sikkim gears up for its biggest event, Sikkim Winter Carnival 2014.

crafts

In ancient times, the Lepcha's of Sikkim were said to use yarn spun out of stinging nettle (sisnu) plant to weave clothes.Today cotton and woollen yarn are used together with vegetable dyes and synthetic colours.

hills · river

Mt. Pandim lies hidden in the mists of Sikkim east of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world.

village

On the Kangchenjunga trail in Sikkim, these porters stoke a fire within a village hut in Yuksom village, as they camp en route venturing further into the Kanchenjunga National Park in India.