Fair and Festivals in Sikkim

Sikkimese festivals are held according to the Buddhist calendar so the months of the English calendar given are approximate. One of the most intriguing dance forms is the Chaams. These are ritual dances of the lamas, which feature colourful masks and quaint musical instruments and are held at various monasteries during the festivals.

Losoong (Sikkimese New Year) (January/February) : Full of joy and dazzing festivity. Guthor Chaan is held at Rumtek Monastery two days before losar.

Tashiding Bhumchu (February/March): The holy water (consecrated by Ngadak Sempa Chempo, one of the founder of Buddhism in Sikkim) is distributed to devotees. The water is believed to have curative properties.

Saga Dawa (June): The Triple Blessed Day is the holiest of Buddhist festivals. It was on this day that Lord Buddha was born, achieved Enlightenment and attained Nirvana. It is marked with a procession of holy books carried from the monastery in palace, to various places in Gangtok town.

Tse-chhu Chham (June): Tse-chhu Chham is held at Rumtek Monastery. It presents eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava, fondly known as Guru Rimpoche. A Mosk dance shows episodes from his life and his fight against evil.

Drukpa Tseshi (August) : Drukpa Tseshi celebrates the first preaching of the four Noble Truths by Lord Buddha. Marked by day-long prayers and observed in all monasteries.

Pang Lhabsol (August/September): Pang Lhabsol, unique to Sikkim, celebrates its guardian deity, Khangchendzonga. Lamas portray the deity with fiery-red face-masks with a crown of five skulls, riding a snow-lion.

Kagyed Dance (December): Kagyed Dance is performed at Enchey, Phensang, Phodong, Rumtek and Ralong Monasteries, two days before Losoong (Sikkimese New Year). The dance is a solemn affair with cosmic episodes in between. It symbolize exorcism of evil and ushering in of peace and prosperity.