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Gyalshing district

Rabdentse Palace, Sikkim, India
Rabdentse Palace, Sikkim, India Image: Wikimedia Commons. Anand Bhushan / CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

Gyalshing district, also spelt Geyzing district, is an administrative district in the state of Sikkim in north-eastern India. Its headquarters is the town of Gyalshing. The district lies in the western part of Sikkim and forms part of the Himalayan region bordering Nepal.

Key facts

Name Gyalshing district
State Sikkim
Country India
Headquarters Gyalshing (Geyzing)
Region Western Sikkim
Type Revenue and administrative district

Background

Sikkim, which became the 22nd state of the Indian Union in 1975, was historically divided into four districts: North, South, East and West. The area now known as Gyalshing district corresponds to the erstwhile West Sikkim district, with Gyalshing serving as its headquarters. In 2021, the Government of Sikkim reorganised the state into six districts, and the western district was officially renamed Gyalshing district.

Geography

The district occupies a mountainous tract of the eastern Himalayas. It shares an international boundary with Nepal to the west and lies adjacent to other Sikkim districts to the north, east and south. The terrain ranges from deep river valleys to high alpine ridges, and the Rangit river system drains much of the district. Forest cover is extensive, with subtropical, temperate and alpine vegetation occurring at successive elevations.

Administration

Gyalshing serves as the seat of the district administration, headed by a District Collector. The district is further divided into subdivisions and revenue blocks, and includes notable towns and settlements such as Pelling, Yuksom and Tashiding.

Culture and significance

Western Sikkim, and by extension Gyalshing district, holds a central place in Sikkimese history and Buddhist heritage. Yuksom, located in the district, was the first capital of the Kingdom of Sikkim, where Phuntsog Namgyal was consecrated as the first Chogyal in 1642 by three lamas at Norbugang. The district also contains several historically and religiously important monasteries, including:

  • Pemayangtse Monastery, near Gyalshing, one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the Nyingma school in Sikkim.
  • Tashiding Monastery, a major pilgrimage site associated with the Bumchu festival.
  • Sanga Choeling Monastery, among the earliest monasteries founded in Sikkim.
  • Dubdi Monastery at Yuksom, regarded as the first monastery built in Sikkim.

The district is also a gateway to Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the trek to the Goecha La pass beginning at Yuksom. Pelling has emerged as a significant tourism hub, known for its views of Kanchenjunga.

Economy

The economy of the district is based largely on agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and tourism. Cardamom, ginger, oranges and a variety of vegetables are grown on terraced hill slopes. Tourism, both domestic and international, contributes substantially to local livelihoods, particularly around Pelling and Yuksom.

Timeline

  • 1642 – Consecration of the first Chogyal of Sikkim at Yuksom, in present-day Gyalshing district.
  • 1975 – Sikkim becomes a state of India; the area forms part of West Sikkim district.
  • 2021 – Reorganisation of Sikkim's districts; West Sikkim district is renamed Gyalshing district.

References

  • Wikidata entity: