Why in the News?

Sikkim’s CM has asked the Centre to ban climbing on Mt. Khangchendzonga, even from the Nepal side, as the mountain is sacred to the Sikkimese and seen as a guardian deity.

About Mt. Khangchendzonga:

• Location: Mt. Khangchendzonga is the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586 metres, located on the India-Nepal border in the eastern Himalayas.
• Major Glaciers and Rivers: It is surrounded by Zemu, Talung, Yalung, and Kanchenjunga glaciers and bordered by rivers like Tamur, Lhonak, and Teesta.
• Etymology: Known as the “Five Treasuries of the Great Snow”, due to its five towering peaks, all above 8,000 metres.
• Geological Age: The mountain rocks are between 445 million to 1 billion years old, from the Neoproterozoic to Ordovician periods.
• Ecological Zone: Located within Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in altitude diversity and rare species.
• Wildlife and Ecosystems: Home to snow leopards, red pandas, musk deer, and Asiatic black bears, along with over 220 glacial-fed water bodies.
• Hydrological Importance: It is the highest point in the Brahmaputra basin, contributing water to both the Ganges and Kosi River systems.
• Climate: Receives heavy monsoon snowfall and lighter winter snow.

Religious and Cultural Significance:

• Spiritual Status: The mountain is sacred in Sikkim and Nepal, embedded in local mythology and Buddhist traditions.
• Symbolism of the Name: The “5 Treasuries” are believed to hold salt, gold, turquoise, sacred texts, grain, medicine, and other treasures.
• Guardian Deity: It is considered the home of Dzoe-Nga, the chief protector deity of Sikkim, known as Pho-lha.
• Mythological Roots: Local guardian deities were blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim.
• Climbing Ban: The Sikkim government banned climbing on the mountain in 1998 and 2001 under the Sacred Places of Worship Act, 1991, to preserve its sanctity.

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