Sikkim: Funeral of Prince Jigme Namgyal, grandson of the second last Chogyal, held in Gangtok

The funeral of Prince Tenzing Jigme Namgyal, the grandson of the second last Chogyal of Sikkim, was held today in Gangtok.

Namgyal passed away in Mumbai on Novermber 21 after a brief illness. Born in 1962, he was the son of Prince Jigdal Tsewang Namgyal and Lhacham Kusho Sonam Yangchen Namgyal, and the grandson of Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, the 11th consecrated king of Sikkim.

The funeral took place at Lukshyama today in Gangtok. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang along with forest minister Karma Loday Bhutia and cabinet minister Sonam Lama were present at the funeral. Football legend and newly joined SDF leader Bhaichung Bhutia was also present at the funeral today. 

Former Chief Minister and SDF chief Pawan Chamling paid respects to the late Prince of Sikkim yesterday evening. 

Today the funeral procession was taken out from Tashi Gartsel, Development Area in Gangtok and taken to he Lukshyema Royal Cremation Grounds near Hanuman Tok. All members of the Sikkimese royal family have traditionally been cremated there at Lukshyama right from 1910 onwards.

People came out in large numbers to pay their last respects as the funeral procession headed to Lukshyema today morning ahead of the funeral. Monks from Sangchen Pemayangtse, Sikkim's premier monastery performed the prayers.

The late Prience Namgyal was married to Sem Sangey Deki Namgyal and has three children: Tenzing Thutob Namgyal, Rigzum Yangchen Namgyal and Tenzing Jigdal Namgyal.