Northeast Desk, 29th November: The funeral service for Prince Tenzing Jigme Namgyal, the grandson of Sikkim’s last Chogyal, was held today in Gangtok. After a brief illness, Namgyal passed away in Mumbai on November 21, 2023. 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, Sikkim’s 11th consecrated king.
The funeral proceedings occurred at Lukshyama in Gangtok, attended by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Forest Minister Karma Loday Bhutia, and Cabinet Minister Sonam Lama. Bhaichung Bhutia, the football legend and newly joined SDF leader, also paid his respects at the ceremony. Former Chief Minister and SDF chief Pawan Chamling honored the late Prince of Sikkim the previous evening.
The funeral procession commenced from Tashi Gartsel, Development Area in Gangtok, and proceeded to the Lukshyema Royal Cremation Grounds near Hanuman Tok. Since 1910, members of the Sikkimese royal family have traditionally been cremated at Lukshyama. Large crowds gathered along the procession route to bid their final farewells as monks from Sangchen Pemayangtse, Sikkim’s premier monastery, conducted prayers.
Prince Namgyal, survived by his wife Sem Sangey Deki Namgyal and three children—Tenzing Thutob Namgyal, Rigzum Yangchen Namgyal, and Tenzing Jigdal Namgyal—leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond his familial connections.