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Festivals of Sikkim
Dasain
It is the most important festival of the Nepalese Hindu and begins on the first day of the lunar month of Aswain (approximately October). The Nepalese decorate their houses doors and pillars with banana leaves and string of marigold flowers and pray for goddess Durga. On the eight day, or Ashtami, many families sacrifice goats or buffaloes and on the tenth day or Vijaydashami, they visit the elder family members seeking their blessing. During the festival, all Nepalese, both young and old smear each others foreheads with a mixture of rice and curd and string marigold garlands around their necks.
Tihar or Tyohar/Diwali
This festival of lights also known as the Deepavali means "a row of lights". In Sikkim the festival honours certain animals on successive days. The first day known as "Kak(crow) Tihar" is dedicated to crows and they are offered rice and some if caught are even garlanded. On the second day, which is known as "Kukkur(dog) Tihar", dogs are garlanded. On the third day the cows are honored with garlands and their horns are painted in bright colors. It is the turn of the bullocks on the fourth day. The fifth day is also known as Bhai Tika in which brothers visits the homes of their sisters who apply tikas on their foreheads. It is also an occasion for exchanging gifts. During Tihar, traditional carols called Bhailo or Deusi are sung.
Enchey Chaam (11th Tibetan month)
Ritual dances at Enchey Monastery, with elaborate costumes and masks.
Guthor Cham (2 days prior to Losar)
Dances at Rumtek and Pemyangtse monasteries welcome the Tibetan New Year.
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Pang Lhabsol (15th day. - 7th Tibetan Month)
Ravangla (Situated at a height of 6,800 ft) is well known for the Pang Lhabsol festival, celebrated annually by the locals with great pride and enthusiasm. Its popularity has, in fact, turned it into a major event in the region’s social and cultural calendar.
In a place whose very name means a “wet goat”, it’s only natural that it should rain even on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Buddhist Lunar Calendar when Mt Kanchenjunga (the guardian deity of Sikkim) is evoked and worshipped on the occasion of Pang Lhabsol.
Lhabab Dhuechen (End of May or Early June)
This festival symbolizes the descent of Lord Buddha from the heaven. According to legend, Queen Maha Maya, the mother of Lord Buddha, did not live long, took rebirth in Trayastrimsa or the heaven of the thirty gods. After attaining enlightenment, Lord Buddha through spiritual powers came to know about the whereabouts of his mother and at the age of forty one ascended to heaven along with thousands of his followers. Lord Buddha stayed in heaven for three months during which he devoured sermon to his mother and other celestial beings Lord Buddha had left behind on earth one of his disciples, Maugalyayana, as his representative. This disciple and other devotees of the Lord could not bear the long separation and longed to hear his preaching’s. Maugalyayana, who possessed miraculous powers, was exhorted to go up to the heaven to request the Lord to return back to the earth. The gods were not willing to let Lord Buddha return to earth but Maugalyayana suggested that as the earthly beings did not have the powers to visit heaven, the celestial beings could come to the earth to attend his preaching. Lord Buddha finally relented and descended to the earth at a place called Sankasya along a triple ladder that was prepared especially for the occasion by Viswakarma, the god of Machines.
Tibetan New Year
celebrated in inimitable Himalayan fashion with feasting and merrymaking throughout Sikkim. It generally falls around first week of February. Celebrated for several days, at home and in monasteries. Government offices are closed.
Tashiding Bhumchu (15th day. - 1st Tibetan month)
This festival takes place in Tashiding Mo-nastery in west Sikkim, in the month of January-February. During this festival, the pot containing the holy water is opened by the lamas of the monastery. The level of water in the pot foretells the future for the forth coming year. If the water is to the brim, it prophesizes disturbances. If the pot is almost dry it indicates famine and a half full pot foretells a year in which peace and prosperity will prevail. A part of the holy water is distributed among the participants and then the pot is replenished with river water and sealed at the end of the festival to be opened only in next Bumchu festival. This sacred water festival is a religious tradition unique to Tashiding Monastery only. Devotees come from far and near to get the blessings of the holy water.
Sagadawa (15th day full moon - 4th Tibetan month)
Buddha was born, attained Buddhahood and achieved nirvana on Saga Dawa which is celebrated on the full moon day of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, a very holy month for the Sikkimese Buddhist. A long procession of monks, local people accompanied with holy books winds its way through the main thoroughfares of Gangtok. Devotees gather to touch their heads on the holy books. Also prayers are held in various monasteries throughout this month.
Tse Chu Chaam (10th day - 5th Tibetan month)
Spectacular 'Black hat' dances at Rumtek Monastery.
Maghe Sankranti (Ist day. Nepali month Magha)
To celebrate the onset of spring this festival is marked by tarul(tapioca)and the celebration of a grand maghe mela where games, displays and cultural events are the main attractions.
Losoong
This Bhutia festival marks the end of the harvest season and also the end of the Tibetan year. Chaams (religious dances) symbolizing the victory of good over evil is performed at the Tsug Lakhang, Phodong and Rumtek monasteries. Archery competitions are held amidst much feasting and merry making.
Tendong Lho Rum Faat
Tendong Lho Rum Faat has always been one of the oldest religious festivals of the Lepchas. The Lepchas being the indigenous people of this part of Himalaya has named each & every mountains, hills, rivers, valleys and ravines of Sikkim. Some of these mountains and rivers carry very beautiful & romantic folklores as well as their historical importance since the ancient ages.
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