8 Most Fascinating Facts About Sikkim That Will Make You Want To Visit It

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Credits: Unsplash

Sikkim is home to the world's third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga, which locals consider so sacred they climb only to 'near the top' to respect the mountain gods.

1. World's 3rd highest mountain

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Red pandas, Sikkim's state animal, are locally called 'fire foxes' due to their flame-coloured fur and can rotate their ankles 180° to climb trees headfirst.

2. Sikkim's state animal

Sikkim's Gangtok hosts the peculiar 'Maggi Momo', a fusion delicacy combining instant noodles with traditional dumplings, invented by university students cramming for exams.

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3. 'Maggi Momo'

The Changu Lake in Sikkim changes colour throughout the year—from emerald green to royal blue to dark grey—due to varying mineral content.

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4. Changu Lake

Cardamom from Sikkim fetches the highest price globally, with locals using it not just for cooking but also as a traditional currency for small transactions in remote villages.

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5. Cardamom

The Lepchas, Sikkim's indigenous people, have a unique 22-letter alphabet said to be derived from the shapes of different insects' limbs.

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6. The Lepchas

Sikkim became the world's first fully organic state in 2016, with farmers using only dung from the belligerent-looking yak as fertiliser.

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7. Fully organic state

The state enforces 'Silent Tuesdays' in its capital, where honking car horns is strictly prohibited and can earn you a fine payable in tree saplings.

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8. Silent Tuesdays

Which of these facts did youalready know?

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