Sikkim

Vernacular Architecture of Sikkim

1. Sikkim

2. Introduction Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state located in the Himalayan mountains. The state is bordered by Nepal to the west, China's Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and east, and Bhutan to the east . The Indian state of West Bengal lies to the south . Sikkim has 11 official languages: Nepali (which is its lingua franca), Sikkimese , Lepcha , Tamang , Limbu,Newari , Rai, Gurung , Magar, Sunwar and English. English is taught in schools and used in government documents. The predominant religions are Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. Sikkim's economy is largely dependent on agriculture and tourism, and as of 2014 the state had the third smallest GDP among Indian states

3. Location

4. Geography The state of Sikkim is characterised by mountainous terrain. Almost the entire state is hilly, with an elevation ranging from 280 metres (920 ft ) to 8,586 metres (28,169 ft ). The summit of Kangchenjunga—the world's thirdhighest peak—is the state's highest point, situated on theborder between Sikkim and Nepal . For the most part, the land is unfit for agriculture because of the rocky , precipitous slopes . However, some hill slopes have been converted into terrace farms. Numerous snowfed streams have carved out river valleys in the west and south of the state. These streams combine into the major Teesta River and its tributary, the Rangeet , which flow through the state from north to south. About a third of the state is heavily forested .

5. Topogrophy

6. Geography The Himalayan mountains surround the northern, eastern and western borders of Sikkim. The Lower Himalayas, lying in the southern reaches of the state, are the most densely populated. The state has 28 mountain peaks, more than 80 glaciers,[34] 227 highaltitude five major hot springs, and more than 100 rivers and streams. Eight mountain passes connect the state to Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal. Sunrise on Kangchenjungha as seen from Pelling in West Sikkim Khecheopalri Lake, considered holy by Buddhists (both Bhutias and Lepchas ) in West Sikkim. The Kangchengyao Himalayanmountains of northern Sikkim. The of the water in these hot springs is 50’c

7. Geology The hills of Sikkim mainly consist of gneissose and halfschistose rocks, producing generally poor and shallow brown clay soils. The soil is coarse, with large concentrations of iron oxide ; it ranges from neutral to acidic and is lacking in organic and mineral nutrients. This type of soil tends to support evergreen and deciduous forests. Most of Sikkim is covered by Precambrian rock, which is much younger in age than the hills. The rock consists of phyllites and schists , and is highly susceptible to weathering and erosion. This,combined with the state's heavy rainfall, causes extensive soil erosion and the loss of soil nutrients through leaching .

8. Minerals map of Sikkim

9. Seismic map of Sikkim

10. Climate The state has five seasons: winter, summer, spring, autumn, and a monsoon season between June and September. Sikkim's climate ranges from subtropical in the south to tundra in the north. Most of the inhabited regions of Sikkim experience a temperate climate,with temperatures seldom exceeding 28 °C (82 °F) in summer . The average annual temperature for most of Sikkim is around 18 ° C(64 °F). Sikkim is one of the few states in India to receive regular snowfall. The snow line ranges from 6,100 metres (20,000 ft ) in the south of the state to 4,900 metres (16,100 ft ) in the north. The tundratype region in the north is snowbound for four months every year, and the temperature drops below 0 °C (32 °F) almost every night. In northwestern Sikkim , the peaks are frozen yearround;because of the high altitude, temperatures in the mountains can drop to as low as −40 °C (−40 °F) in winter. During the monsoon, heavy rains increase the risk of landslides. The record for the longest period of continuous rain in Sikkim is 11 days. Fog affects many parts of the state during winter and the monsoons,making transportation perilous .

11. Types of C ommunity Lepcha Limbu Bhutia

12. Typology of houses IGRA-GHAR OR TSHE-KHIM: These are the houses made of timber . Timber is less expensive than dressed stones. The structure is made of wood and in-filled with Ikra1 or timber panels DOW-KHIM or TALEY-GHAR: This is a combination of wood and dressed stone masonry. These houses belong to the Landlordsor the monks. GARO-GHAR: The houses are constructed in a combination of Rubble earth structural walls and timber members as structural members , laid in mud mortar CHIRTA KO GHAR: This is a combination of bamboo framework with wattle walls. They are mostly found in medium andlower altitudes.

13. IGRA-GHAR OR TSHE-KHIM These are the houses made of timber. Timber is less expensive than dressed stones. The structure is made of wood and in-filled with Ikra1 or timber panels

14. GARO-GHAR The houses are constructed in a combination of Rubble earth structural walls and timber members as structural members , laid in mud mortar

15. M ain temple at Enchey Monastery

16. Bhutia house

17. Lepcha Houses

18. Limbu house

19. Thank you V.Akhil Akash 1140100454 Venkat Bathina 1140100455