A couple of days ago I read on a Facebook friend, Niraj Kumar’s post that Captain Sonam Yongda. who had been Captain of the ADC of the 12th King of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal had passed away on 4th April 2026. He was also a witness to Sikkim’s transition in 1975, passed away on April 4, 2026. He was among the last surviving individuals associated with the royal establishment during the final years of the monarchy (often referred to as the Golden Era of Sikkim).
“He was known for his recollections of the events surrounding 1975, when the monarchy ended. His accounts, often referenced in discussions and writings on Sikkim’s political history, described the changes within the palace and the circumstances in which the royal guards were disarmed. These accounts contributed to alternative perspectives on the merger, outlining the experiences of those within the royal establishment.”
Personal meeting and act of spontaneous kindness in Bhutan 2022
I saw the photos and recalled how I had briefly met this man, during my visit to Bhutan as invited speaker at the Vajrayana conference 2022, at which I spoke about the Going Back to the Female and Yogic Roots of Vajrayana. We spoke over lunch a couple of times as we were staying in the same hotel in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Although I did not know much about Captain Yongda then, I will never forget how kind and generous he was to me, a stranger to him. When I arrived in Bhutan, my UK bank card would not work at any of the Bhutanese ATMs for some unknown reason, and I was at a loss what to do. I explained to him the situation, and he immediately, without even asking he pulled out a wad of notes, and lent me 100 USD, no questions asked, now that is what I call a real gentleman! So this is my small offering tribute to him to say thank you, and wishing him a great incarnation in his next life.
Some of the Facebook tributes spoke about Captain Sonam Yongda, who served as a captain of 12th Chogyal of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026. A highly respected figure in Sikkimese society, Captain Yongda was regarded as one of the last surviving personalities closely linked to the erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim, having witnessed the historic political transition of 1975. His life remained deeply connected with an important chapter of the state’s history.
Request to work for the Hidden Land of Sikkim
Another post from Chewang Pintso said that:
“When I along with Agya Jigme N Kazi called upon him at Netuk House, Gangtok on Feb 17, 2026, his final benediction (as always) to all of us that now echoes as a sacred responsibility:
“Work for Beyul Demodzong, it’s King and the people by Body, Speech, and Mind, and keep praying for its peace, benevolence, and prosperity under the blessings of Mahaguru Padmasambhava till the very last.”
May we honour his memory not merely in words, but through devoted action and collective responsibility towards the land, its King and people he loved so deeply. Bringing to a close the countless moments of our meetings and associations over decades, March 22, 2026, at Gyalshing, sealed our final physical meeting.”
Sikkim articles and research (2020)
I wrote a series of pilgrimage articles on Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro and Sikkim, and Tashi Ding, when I visited there for the second time in 2020 while attending the oral transmission of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s Collected Works. See Part I here. I have visited Sikkim several times, and recently wrote in Buddhist Door about a new statue built there recently for the founder of Sikkim, here.
