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The crowning glory of Sikkim is Mt. Khangchendzonga, the third highest mountain in the world. The panoramic perfection of the snow-capped Himalayas, the heady scent of flower-bedecked meadows, the vibrant culture and joyous festivals, the infinite variety of its flora and fauna makes it a holiday that is at once fascinating and challenging.
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February - Losar (Tibetan New year) involves a lot of gaiety and festivity Guthor Chaam is held at Rumtek monastery two days before Losar.
February / March - Tashding Bhumchu is a festival when holy water consecrated ny Ngadak Sempa Chhenpe one of the founders of Buddhism in Sikkim is distributed to devotees. The water is said to to have curative properties.
June - Saga Dawa the triple blessed festival is the holiest of Buddhist festivals. It was on this day that Lord Buddha was born achieved enlightment and attained Nirvana. It is marked with a procession of holy books carried from the monastery in the palace around Gangtok town.
June - Tse-chhu Chham is a Rumtek monastery. it presents eight manifestations of Guru Padma Sambhava, fondly known as Guru Rimpoche. a mask dance shows episodes from his life and his fight against evil.
August - Drupka Tseshi celebrates the first preaching of the four Noble truths by Lord Buddha. Marked by day long prayers and observed in all monasteries.
August - Pang Lhabsol is a festival unique to Sikkim held to worshipthe guardian diety Kanchenjunga, Lamas potray the deity with fiery red masks with a crown of five skulls, riding a snow lion.
December - Kagyat dance is performed at Enchey, Phensang, Phodong Rumtek and Ralong monasteries. Two days prior to losoong the Sikkimese New Year. The dance is a solemn affair with cosmic episodes in between. It symbolises exorcism of evil and ushering in of peace and prosperity.
Winter - Teesta tea and Tourism festival.
As most Sikkimese festivals are held as per the Buddhist calendar, the months of the English calendar are given below. The interesting spectacle of these festivals is the ritual dances of the Lamas with quaint musical instruments and masks. These dances called Chaams are held in various monasteries.
Some important ones are given below:-
