Festivals of Sikkim

Kagyat Dances are usually held at old Rumtek monastery, Lingdum monastery, Phodong monastery on the 28th & 29th day of the eleventh month of the Lunar calendar corresponding to December/January. Effigies are then burnt depicting destruction of evil and welcoming an auspicious new year.

 

Losoong

1st to 7th days of the 11 th month of the Lunar calendar corresponding to the month of December/January. A celebration of Sikkimese New Year. Family gatherings, archery contests.

Detor Chaam at Enchey monastery

28th & 29th day of the 11th month of the Lunar calendar corresponding to December/January. Ritual dances at the monastery with elaborate costumes and rituals.

Maghay Sankranti

First day of the Nepali month of Magh. Celebrating spring's arrival the Hindus ritually bathe at confluences of rivers which are considered holy. 

Guthor Chaam

Two days prior to Tibetan New Year corresponding to February/March. Elaborate mask dances at Rumtek & Pemayangtse monastery herald the ensuing year.

Losar the Tibetan New year falls right after the Guru Dragmar festival is over. Also between late February and early March.

Bumchu

Celebrated for several days at home and in monasteries. Government offices remain closed. The Bumchu at Tashiding monastery 14th & 15th day of the first month of the Lunar calendar corresponding to February/March. The Bumchu is a sacred  water vase whose water level foretells the year ahead. The holy water is then distributed to the large number of devotees gathered.
 

Sagadawa (15th day, full moon, 4th Tibetan month corresponding to May/June)

The triple blessed festival. Celebrates Buddha's incarnation, enlightenment and Mahapari-nirvana. Procession of monks & Buddhist devotees carrying Holy scriptures in most of the important monasteries of Sikkim.

Tse Chu Chaam,  Drukpa Tseshi and Tendong Lho Rum Faat (sometime in August)

(10th day, 5th Tibetan month) Spectacular 'Black Hat' dance at Rumtek monastery. (4th day, 6th Tibetan month, around August) Celebrates Buddha's first teaching of the Four Noble Truths. Prayers held at the main monasteries in Sikkim . Lepcha festival worshipping Mt Tendong, a focal point of many Lepcha myths.
 

Pang Lhabsol

(15th day, 7th month of the Lunar calendar, corresponding to August/September) A festival unique to Sikkim where the snowy range of Khangchendzonga is worshipped for its unifying powers. Popularized by Chakdor Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim it also marks the signing of the treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepchas & the Bhutia.

Dasain

(10 days, sometime in October) The Goddess Durga is venerated with animal sacrifices. Relatives visit each other. Feasts are held and family members receive a Tika' (a mark on forehead of coloured rice or vermillion) along with blessings.

Diwali

(3 weeks after Dasain, sometime in October/November) Festival of lights, inviting Lakshmi the Goddess of wealth, into every home.