Mount Kanchenjunga
Kartavya Desk Staff
- •Source: NDTV*
Context: Sikkim Chief Minister has urged the Centre to request a ban on scaling Mount Kanchenjunga from Nepal, citing its deep spiritual significance to Sikkim’s indigenous communities.
About Mount Kanchenjunga:
• Location:
• Lies in the eastern Himalayas, straddling the India–Nepal border, 74 km north-northwest of Darjeeling. Stands at an elevation of 8,586 metres (28,169 ft), making it the third-highest mountain in the world and the highest peak in India.
• Lies in the eastern Himalayas, straddling the India–Nepal border, 74 km north-northwest of Darjeeling.
• Stands at an elevation of 8,586 metres (28,169 ft), making it the third-highest mountain in the world and the highest peak in India.
• States Associated:
• Located between Sikkim (India) and Taplejung District (Nepal). The Indian side lies within the Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim.
• Located between Sikkim (India) and Taplejung District (Nepal).
• The Indian side lies within the Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim.
• Geographical Features:
• Comprises five prominent peaks, referred to as the “Five Treasures of the Snow” in Sikkimese belief. Surrounded by four major glaciers: Zemu Glacier (northeast), Talung Glacier (southeast), Yalung Glacier (southwest), and Kanchenjunga Glacier (northwest). Receives heavy summer snowfall due to monsoons, with lighter winter snow.
• Comprises five prominent peaks, referred to as the “Five Treasures of the Snow” in Sikkimese belief.
• Surrounded by four major glaciers: Zemu Glacier (northeast), Talung Glacier (southeast), Yalung Glacier (southwest), and Kanchenjunga Glacier (northwest).
• Receives heavy summer snowfall due to monsoons, with lighter winter snow.
• Cultural Importance:
• Revered as a sacred mountain and abode of guardian deity ‘Dzoe-Nga’. Considered inviolable by Sikkim’s Bhutia and Lepcha communities. Climbing is banned from the Indian side under Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 and Article 371(F), which protects Sikkim’s customs post-merger with India.
• Revered as a sacred mountain and abode of guardian deity ‘Dzoe-Nga’.
• Considered inviolable by Sikkim’s Bhutia and Lepcha communities.
• Climbing is banned from the Indian side under Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 and Article 371(F), which protects Sikkim’s customs post-merger with India.
• Historical Significance:
• Believed to be the highest peak until Mount Everest was confirmed in 1856. First climbed in 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band (British expedition). Climbers traditionally stop short of the summit to honour religious sentiments. Charles Evans also led an expedition on the southwest face in 1955.
• Believed to be the highest peak until Mount Everest was confirmed in 1856.
• First climbed in 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band (British expedition).
• Climbers traditionally stop short of the summit to honour religious sentiments.
• Charles Evans also led an expedition on the southwest face in 1955.