Sikkim Festival

SIKKIM, a small Himalayan State lying between 27 to 28 degrees North latitude and 88 to 89 degrees East longitude is the second smallest state in India. It is barely 7,096 sq km in size yet has an elevation ranging from 300 m to 8585 m above sea level. It's Geography is dominated by the most majestic mountain chain in the world which includes the Khangchendzonga,

01 Phang Labsol:
At this festival the snowy range of Kanchendzonga is worshipped for its unifying powers. This festival also marks the signing of the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias. The local deities were invoked to witness the historic occasion. The guardian deity is portrayed by a masked Lama dancer as a fiery red-faced deity wearing a crown of five skulls and riding a snow-lion, a truly colourful spectacle indeed.

02 Bum-Chu
Bum - means "Pot or Vase" Chu - means "Water. The pot containing the Holy water is opened by the Lamas of the monastery. The level of water in the pot tells of things to come in the forthcoming year.

If the water is to the brim, it prophesies bloodshed and disturbances and if the pot is almost dry it signifies famine. However, if it is half full it foretells a year in which peace and prosperity will reign. A part of the holy water is distributed amongst the participants and then the pot is replenished with river water and sealed at the end of the festival to be opened only in the next Bumchu.

03 Festival in Sikkim Lhabab Dhuechen
This festival symbolises the descent of Lord Buddha from the heavens. Lha - means "Heaven" Bab - means "Descent. Legend has it that when Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment, through his spiritual powers he got to know of the whereabouts of his mother and at the age of forty one ascended to the heavens along with thousands of his followers. He stayed in heaven for three months where he preached to his mother but other celestial. Maugalyayana, Buddha's disciple who was on earth as his representative and who also possessed miraculous powers went up to heaven to ask the Lord to return back to the earth. The gods were unwilling to let Lord Buddha return to earth so Maugalyanana suggested that the celestial beings could come to earth instead to attend his preachings. So Lord Buddha decided to come back to earth at a place called Sankasya along a triple ladder that was prepared especially for the occasion by Viswakarma, the God of Machines. This festival hence celebrates this legend of the Lord Buddha.

Drupka Tekshi:
This festival celebrates Buddha's first preaching of the four "Noble Truths" to his first five disciples in Deer Park at Sarnath. At Gangtok, there are prayers at the Deer Park and at a secluded place called Muguthang in extreme North Sikkim, followed by a Yak race.

Tihaar
Corresponding to the Indian festival of Diwali. Tihaar is also celebrated as the Festival of Lights in Sikkim with the lighting of lamps accompanied with traditional caroling called Deusi and Bhailo

Dasin
More or less occurring a few weeks before Lossong, Dasain is the main festival of the Hindu Nepalese in Sikkim. This too signifies the victory of good over evil. The elders of the family apply "Tika" on the young and bless them. Saga DawaFestival in Sikkim
Saga Dawa is a festival that celebrates and marks the various stages in Buddha's life, namely his birth, his enlightenment and finally his nirvana.

.Losoong
This Bhutia festival marks the end of the harvest season. Chaams (Religious Dances) symbolizing the victory of good over evil are performed at the Tsug Lakhang. Phodong and Rumtek monasteries. Archery competitions are held amidst much feasting and merry making.

Losar
The Tibetan New Year. Agan, celebrated in inimitable Himalayan fashion with feasting and merry making. It generally falls around the first week of February.

Bhumchu
Held at the Tashidhing Monastery in West Sikkim, this festival occurs around Jan-Feb. The aboot of the monastery unveils a pot of holy water and foretells the future for the state. Overflow or too little water in the pot signifies a disturbed year ahead. If the level of the water is full, It foretells peace and prosperity. Tendong Lho Rum Faat Specific to Lepchas, this festival marks the celebration of the Tengdong Hills. According to legend. the hill had risen like a horn during a great flood to save the Lepchas.

Pang-Lhabsol
Unique to Sikkim, this festival worships the snowy peaks of the guardian deity of Sikkim, Mt. Kanchenjunga. An important feature of the celebrations is the spectacular Warrior Dance with it's intricate steps and leaps accompanied by martial war-cries.

Christmas
Christmas is celebrated with fun & fervor along with the rest of the world. Gangtok wears festive look during the month of December since Lossong & Christmas fall in this month.