Historians say the history of Sikkim began with the King Indrabhuti who ruled Himachal. A prince who migrated due to certain reasons towards the eastern Himalayas is said to have founded the Minyak kingdom in eastern Tibet some where in the 9^th century AD. A legendary prince of this Minyak dynasty 25^th in lineage came to Sikkim while he was on piligrimage. The venerable prince was given a title of Khye Bumsa 9means one who possess the strength of one lakh persons) for his legendary work did at Khabe for Sakya monastery. He was also given the hand of Sakya chief’s daughter in marriage. According to records he was insisted upen to settle down there. He accepted the offer and settled down with his wife at Phari in Chumbhi valley. Later a Lepcha chief blessed Khya-Bumsa for sons. He also prophesied that his dependents would one day reign over all Sikkim.

Phuntsog Namgyal was one of Khya-bumsa decendents. Historians say Phuntsog Namgyal was born in Gangtok in 1614. According to the prophecy of Guru Padmasambhava he was given the honour of temporal and religious head by three Lamas who entered Sikkim from different directions at Yoksam. He was given the title of Chogyal and received recognition from Dalai Lama of Tibet.

The dynasty ruled over Sikkim for about 332 years. Phunstog Namgyal proved to be very efficient, legendary and capable administrator. He declared Mahayana Buddhism as the state religion. He very tactfully kept the Lepchas, Bhutias and Limbus together.

The period of 332 yaers of Namgyals is remarkable. Many reforms were done. Clans, tribes and districts were organized. Order were given that the second of the three sons of Bhutia family must be ordained a monk of the monastery which was also open to the Tsong community. Sacred places were patronized. Religious dances were adopted to keep alive the martial and native tradition.

Many monasteries were built. Matrimonial alliances between Bhutias and Lepchas were accepted. Alphabet of Lepcha language was incented. Many social and economic reforms were initiated such as public gambling, Jharlongi or forced unpaid labour, landlord’s personal police and their courts were abolished. The lease system was dropped and peasent were asked to make direct payments of the tax to the state. Formal education was introduced. Schhols were opened. Cottage industries were established. Sikkim was slowly and gradually advancing on the path of planned and aimed economic development during this dynasty.

In the early 20^th century, Sikkimese soldiers came back after the World War 2 with the awareness of freedom and they wanted complete abolition of landlordism. After the transfer of power to India, where India became an independent democracy they started to focus their wide open eyes towards it and demanded a complete union with India. Finally Sikkim merged with India on 26^th of April ‘1975.

There are three types of monasteries in Sikkim. Rock caves where saints worshipped, Gompas where Lamas meditate. Monastries of villages and towns are the places of religious discourses worship and meditation. They are the places where religious books, manuscripts and murals are kept.

Sikkim is rich in its festivities almost one or two festivals are celebrated every two months. Two of the Sikkimese festivals are of most importance, held in the honour of Guru Rinpoche and other for protecting diety Kanchendzonga.

Hindus of Sikkim observe the great festivals of Dusherra, Durga Puja and Makar Sankranti. Eid and Moharram are celebrated by the Muslims of Sikkim and Christmas by Christians.

In this Himalayan society, there is considerable relaxation in terms of exchange of food and water across communities. Most of the communities accept food both Kachcha and Pucca with water. Inter community marriages are reported from seventeen communities. There is much higher participation in festivals too.

So this is the land of mixed culture represented by Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese.