Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the world is worshipped by the people of Sikkim.
KRC TIMES Desk
Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the world is worshipped by the people of Sikkim.
Recently a decision taken by the Central Government to open the “Holy Peak ” for the purpose of expedition and trekking has left the people of Sikkim in a state of shock.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to open 137 mountain peaks to foreigners for climbing or trekking. Of these 24 peaks are in Sikkim. The local organisation and stakeholders have requested the State Government to preserve the sanctity of the ” holy peak’’.
Everester Kunzang Gyatso, the president of the Sikkim Mountaineering Association (SMA) feels that as Sikkim is a land of the Mountain Gods, mountaineers wishing to climb Kanchenjunga can also do it from Nepal side without hurting the religious sentiments of the local people.
The Sikkim government had banned expeditions to the Kanchenjunga in 2001.
Of the 374 peaks in Sikkim, 12 were barred from expeditions as they are protected as places of Buddhist worship under provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
Tseten Tashi, convenor of the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) feels that Kanchenjunga, the abode of Gods is also the God of the people of Sikkim. So it is the responsibility of both the Central and State government to address the issue.
Joe Brown and George Band had scaled the Kanchenjunga sixty four years ago as part of a British Expedition. But they did not reach the peak as part of promise given to the ‘Chogyal’ (monarch) that the top of the mountain would remain intact. And this tradition is followed till date.
