Sikkim and Darjeeling are two important places in north-eastern part of India. They have their own unique culture which has attracted the tourists time and again. The population of Sikkim and Darjeeling are dominated by Nepali, Bhutanese, Lepchas, Gorkhas and others. A large number of people are Hindu here but the dominant religion in Buddhism. The monasteries, gompas and tea-gardens are the main attraction of these two places. 
The culture of Sikkim is very vibrant. Some of the popular Indian festivals celebrated here include Diwali and Dussehra. The Buddhist festivals celebrated here includes Duechen, Saga Dawa, Drupka Teshi, Losar, Loosong, Lhabab and Bhumchu. Losar is the Tibetan New Year which is celebrated with fun and frolic all over Sikkim. The tourist spots and government offices are closed for a week during this time. Christmas is an important festival of people living in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim.
Music is an important part of the culture of Sikkim. Western rock music can be heard in the restaurants and countryside. Along with this, Hindi songs and local Nepali rock music is quite popular. Football and cricket are two sports extremely popular among the masses. Sikkim is also known for its cuisine. You should taste chowmein, thanthuk, fakthu, thukpa, gyathuk and wonton. Momo is also an important dish. These are steamed dumplings filled with vegetable or meat and served with a soup. Alcohol is also quite cheap here. 
The culture of Darjeeling is very similar to Sikkim. Apart from the festivals celebrated all over India, people here celebrate festivals like the Lepchas and Bhutias New Year in January and Losar – or the Tibetan New Year. People here also celebrate the birthday of the Dalai Lama and Tendong Lho Rumfaat. These festivals are an important feature of the local culture. Apart from this, Darjeeling Carnival is held for ten days during the winters. The cultural heritage and music of the region is captured through this festival.
Darjeeling is also known for different types of delicacies. Momo is a popular food which is savored by one and all. This is a snack which is served with soup. Apart from this, Wai-Wai, Churpee and thukpa are also found here. Darjeeling is also known for its tea and tea-gardens and Chhang, a local beer.
You should visit the various attractions of Darjeeling which include Raj Bhawan (Governor House) and Planters' Club. Apart from this, visit the Buddhist monasteries which are built according to the pagoda style. The popular monasteries here are Ghum Monastery, Bhutia Busty monastery and Mag-Dhog Yolmowa. Mag-Dhog Yolmowa also preserves some of the ancient Buddhist scripts. You should also visit Tiger Hill, the zoo and the tea gardens. You can also enjoy exploring the Himalayas if you are an avid trekker. In that case, you can also visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling. You can also visit the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center where you will find lots of handicraft items ranging from carpets, wood and leather work.
To know more about cultural tours in India, browse through the pages of Adventure Asia.
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