FESTIVAL OF SIKKIM

KALAWATI SUBBA
16GLB049
8 th semester
 INTRODUCTION
There are many sikkim festivals that one can enjoy
while on a trip to this amazing destination.
The Sikkim festivals are celebrated with a lot of
pomp and show and as per the Buddhist calendar.
Throughout all these festivals the citizens of Sikkim
indulge in vibrant and lively dances and music.
Chaam, one of the most fascinating type of ritual
dance performed by the Lamas, which involves
brightly colored masks and fascinating musical
instruments and takes place at the different
monasteries across Sikkim while these festivals are
on. Some of the most popular festivals, notable in
Sikkim are Losoong, Drupka Teshi, Bumchu, Saga
Dawa, Dassin and Phang Lhabsol.
 LOSSONG
>Losong is the start of sikkimese new year.This is also the season
of harvesting for localcommunities .
>The festival has many traditional folk dancerituals,and
ceremonies.this is also on occasion to gorge upon the delectable
sikkimese cuisine.
>the occasion is celebrated with utmost gusto not just by the
locals,but also tourists who are curious about the state cultures
and the local traditional ceremonies and dance.
>The duration of this festival is for 4 days and there are
arrangements for cultural programms at monastries like rumtek
and tsukakhang palace.it is one of the most popular festivals of
sikkim
>The dates for lossong festival are different every year ,based on
the tibetan lunar calender
 SAGA DAWA

>It is an important day for the mahayana buddhists as

>it celebrates the three most important Phases of gautama buddha-
his bith,his enlightenment and his attaining nirvana.

>The monks of the mahayana buddhism light butter lamps on these

days in the monastries. By this way they show their obeisance to lord
buddha who is believed to have enlightened their paths in life
It is one of the best family –friendly festivals in sikkim .
BHUMCHU FESTIVAL

>The word bhumchu translates to a sacred pot of water.this meaning

is translated and
converted to actuality with the festivals ceremonies and rituals.

>The first day of the festivals sees the monks at tashiding monastery
opening the
sacred vase of water. This is used to predict the future and generate
forecasts
of impending year.
>The colsure ceremony on the second day,the pot is re-filled with the
water from sacred river nearby and sealed to be opened next year.
 RAM NAVAMI FESTIVALS

>Chaite dashain is one of the most important sikkim festivals.

>This festival is celebrated a day before it and is also known
by the name of smalldashain.
>This occasion remembers the birth of lord rama.
>It is one of the most importnt religious festivals in sikkim .
TIHAR
>The festival is that of diwali under the name of tihar.
>the duration of this amazing festival is around five
days with each day fixated on something special.

>On the first day, crows are worshiped-the symbols of sorrow and
sadness.the second days calls kukur tihar. When dogs are worshipped
and offered garlands,and tilak.
>This festival is mainly worshipped laxami mata,
>The end day of the festival, celebrated bhai tika
 TAMU LOSAR
FESTIVAL

> Tamu losar is one the biggest nepali –buddhist festival celerated by
majority of gurung festivals and neighbouring north east people India.
> The festival marks the beginning of the gurung new year. The dale for
TamLochhar falls on the 15th day in the month of Poush as per Nepali Bikram
Sambat Calendar.

> People from the Gurung community gather at a common groundsband

celebrate the occasion, singing, dancing and feasting on traditional Gurung
food that typically includes ‘Sel Roti’ and ‘Achaar.
 JORETHANG MAGHEY MELA
>One of the most famous cultural festivals of Sikkim, Maghey Sankranti
Mela is celebrated with extreme grandeur at the picturesque hamlet of
Jorethang every year.

>A grand exhibit showcasing handicrafts and artwork of the local

Sikkimese artisans.
> it is also an important aspect of this Maghey Mela that aims at
bringing the brilliant craft of these skilled workers at a global platform.

>Maghey Mela has its history associated with an agricultural fair that
was held at Jorethang in the year 1955 on the occasion of Makar
Sankranti, an auspicious day which marks the beginning of the holy
month of Magh in the Hindu lunar calendar.
> The festival commences on January 14th every year and provides
for a 5 day cultural extravaganza comprising of traditional folk-fare,
authentic Sikkimese cuisine and a number of stalls spread across
the ground selling the state’s beautiful handicraft and handloom
products.
 DRUKPA FESTIVAL
>In Sikkim, the festival is held on the 4th day of the Drukpa (6th)month
according to the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, which as per the English
Calendar falls somewhere between July and August.

>Drukpa Tsheshi counts amongst few of the most significant festivals

for all Buddhists around the world.
>Drukpa Tsheshi is basically observed to celebrate the auspicious day
when Lord Buddha for the very first time turned the “Wheel of Dharma”
and gave the sermon of the “Four Noble Truths” of life and sufferings
to his five disciples in the Deer Park at Sarnath near the holy city of
Varanasi in India.
 INDRAJATRA FESTIVAL SIKKIM

>Indra Jatra or “Yenya” is the biggest festival for the Nepalese “NEWAR”
community in Sikkim and is celebrated with much fanfare throughout
the state. named after the Hindu God of Rain and also the King of
Heaven.
> it is pre-dominantly a Nepalese festival, it is celebrated with great zeal
and enthusiasm by the Nepalese Newar Gutthi community in Sikkim .

> One of the yet another much awaited events of the Indra Jatra Festival
is the ‘Kumari Jatra’ where in the living Goddess ‘Kumari’, an
incarnation of Goddess ‘Telaju’ is taken out on a procession in a
chariot. People gather in huge numbers to have a glimpse of the
Kumari, thereby receiving her blessings for a happy and blissful life.

> A number of masked dance performances including Pulu Kishi,

.
Lakhey, Mahakali and Sawa Bhaku along the pageant provide for an
enchanting sight to all the spectators.
TEYONGSI SIRIJUNGA SAWAN TONGNAM 
Observed by the Limboo Community in Sikkim
> Teyongsi Sirijunga Sawan Tongnam,
marks the birth anniversary of the famous 18thcentury.
> scholar Teyongsi Sirijunga,
Who is greatly remembered for his legendary role as
a revivalist of the Limboo’s age old traditional legacy
In the state.

>They have their own language script and follow their own
religioncalledYumanism - YUMANISM- mainly focusses on nature
worshipping with supreme deities being revered of mountain and river gods.

>The main venue for the festival is “Yuma Mangkhim” (worship place for
Limboos) located at Hee-Bermiok, ancient home for Teyongsi Sirijunga,
in West Sikkim.
> Teyongsi Sirijunga in early 18th century started working towards revival and
strengthening their faith back in “Yuma Samyo” by once again teaching their
own religion, language and script in different parts of West Sikkim
 RED PANDA FESTIVAL
> The festival primarily aims at increasing the influx of tourists
during the leaner tourism months of the year.
> promoting the state’s economy and rich culture and cuisine.

>Red Panda Winter Festival was previously celebrated under the name
of Sikkim Winter Carnival and was aimed at promoting tourism in the
state during the winter months. Starting 2016.
>Since it’s a winter festival, dates for the same, fall somewhere
around December-January timeframe and which are decided and
announced by the state tourism board every year.
> Cultural food fest- that keeps everyone busy and engrossed
in the beautiful Himalayan state’s vibrant aura. An extravagant
food fest, offering an elaborate spread of authentic Sikkimese
cuisine including that of Lepchas, Nepalis and Bhutias.
 KAGYED DANCE
>One of the most popular Buddhist festivals, Kagyed Chaam, is a celebration.
> it is marked by masked monks and lamas performing some rigorous dance
moves, symbolizing destruction of all the evil and negative forces.
thereby bringing in peace and prosperity for one and all in the upcoming new
year.
>Kagyed is a form of Cham Masked Dance performed by Buddhist monks and
lamas as their reverence to the almighty and as a mean to ward off evils.
>The history of cham dances dates back to the times of Guru
Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim, who is said to
have performed this dance to a vanquish a demon from this holy land.

>The most important highlight of this festival is the elaborate getup of the
monks, decked up in ornate costumes, vibrant painted masks and laced
with ceremonial swords and other weapons.
 SONAM LHOCHHAR FESTIVAL SIKKIM
>Sikkim is the land of vaaried ethnicities and tribal groups,with the
tamang community being one of the biggest and widespread off all sonam
lhochhar.
it is marked as a tibetan new year.

Damphu (a traditional round hand drum) Dance is the major highlight of

the Sonam Lhochhar festival and is performed by the masked lamas to get
rid of all the negative energies and evil spirits.

Tamang folk songs, also known as ‘Tamang Selo’ are yet important
highpoint of the Sonam Lhosar festival and form an integral part of the
celebrations.
 PANG LHABSOL
>It is unique as it celebrates nature.the festivl ans its celebration
are surrounding the 3rd highest peak in the world,[the
khangchendzonga]

>Besides celebrating the peak the festival also honors the treaty
signed by bhutia ans lepchas where all the local dieties were
welcomed to witness this occasion.
>It is also said that this mountain had been protecting the very
soul of this beautiful state.
>It is quite a vibrant occasion with carnivals ,dance
,performences ,and warrior dances by llamas,and the ever so-
delicious sikkimese cuisine.
 TENDONG LHO RUM FAAT SIKKIM
>Tendong Lho Rum Faat is one of the most ancient and significant festivals
celebrated by the Lepcha people in Sikkim.

> The celebrations mark the auspicious occasion when ancestors of Lepcha
tribe were saved by the holy Tendong Hill from a great deluge lasting 40 days
and 40 nights.

>According to Lepcha mythology, during the time of earth’s creation when

Himalayan Range was just in its initial stage of formation, a great volcanic
eruption destroyed Naho and Nather Pokh, the sources of Rivers Teesta and
Rangeet, causing continuous rains for 40 days.
This resulted in floods and huge loss to life and property; and the destruction of
Lepcha tribe
>People from the Lepcha community, during these three days, embark on a trek
to the hill, navigating their way through dense forests and sparkling streams &
rivulets.
CONCLUSION
The festival is very important for human being irrespevtive of their
geographical arena. Especially itw reli stress,make people
assemble in a place renew their relation and friendship.
also its covey the message according to location and habitat
of the people.
In Sikkim now there are exceeding 20 above festivals,which
is pleasantly or traditionally followed by neapli’s ,bhutia and
lepchas communities.
Here my aim has been to draw attention to the underlying some
principle of festival of Sikkim.
Each festival has some historical and religious background which
reflect the culture or belief of people living in Sikkim hence these
mixed religion,belief and ideas make the Sikkim most colourful
state of sikkim