the festival

Folk Dances of Sikkim

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Folk Dances of Sikkim

People and Culture of Sikkim

  • The People of Sikkim consist of three ethnic groups, that is, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali.
  • Communities of different hues intermingle freely in Sikkim to constitute a homogenous blend.
  • Hindu Temples coexist with Buddhist Monasteries, Churches, Mosque and Gurudwara.
  • The predominant Communities are Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese.
  • These myriad Cultures has produced a quintessential Sikkimese Culture that encompasses all ways and walk of life, but has also managed to preserve their own identity.
  • These can also be seen in the various places of Worship, Festivals and Cultural dances that are celebrated through the year.

Various Lepcha Folk Dances

Lepcha Folk Dances

  • Through this romantic dance, story of a young boy and a girl in love is conveyed.
  • A group of boys ask a group of girls for their hands for the purpose of marriage and in turn promise them with rich gifts and ornaments.
  • The girls, however, turn down the offer and ask them to approach their parents, instead.
  • This colourful dance is performed with the support of melodious Lepcha songs and musical instruments such as Sanga (drum), Yangjey (string instrument), Cymbal, Yarka, Flute and Tungbuk.

Zo-Mal-Lok Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • This famous folk dance of Lepcha community shows normal activities such as sowing, reaping and harvesting of paddy.
  • The old people and young folk alike join hands to sing, dance and indulge in merry making.
  • The graceful movements of male and female dancers become more noticeable with the background of pleasant sounds of seasonal birds.
  • Musical instruments used to support the dance are Tungbuk, Flute, Cymbal, Drum, etc.

Chu-Faat Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • Literal meaning of Chu is Snowy Range, while that of Faat is Worship.
  • This group folk dance is performed in the honour of Mount Khangchendzonga, the guardian deity of the Sikkimese people.
  • The dancers while carrying butter lamps and green bamboo leaves perform a ritualistic dance by singing devotional songs.

Tendong Lo Rum Faat Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • It is based on a famous Lepcha folk lore often retold to the new generation of Lepchas in the form of lyrical poetry.
  • According to the legend, this group dance is performed to save people from the onslaught of mighty, mountainous rivers, First, the Lepchas living on the Tendong Hill in South Sikkim are reported to have offered prayers to the God through this dance.
  • They desired the almighty to save them from the disaster of rising water.
  • As per folklore, God came as a bird and began sprinkling sacred millet beer on water.
  • Soon, the level of water subsided and people heaved a sigh of relief.

 

Kinchum-Chu-Bomsa Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • This famous folk dance vividly describes the natural beauty of Sikkim, or Ney-Mayel-Lyang (a heavenly, hidden paradise) called so, by the Lepchas.
  • The snow covered mountain peaks, green captivating meadows, enchanting valleys, thick vegetation, rivers and water falls, holy lakes and serene monasteries sanctify this land.
  • The young Lepcha boys and girls show their attachment with the land by performing the dance in their colourful attire.

Bhutia Folk Dances of Sikkim

Denzong-Neh-Na Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • This group dance comprising of boys and girls is performed to pay homage to the past saints such as Guru Rimpoche and present saints in order to get their blessings.
  • The musical instruments which support the graceful steps of the dancers are: Flute, Yangjey, Drum and Yarka.

Ta-Shi-Yang-Ku Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • A group of boys and girls through this dance try to invoke benign deities to shower fortunes on their home.
  • They remember some animal deities also to bring good fortune and prosperity to the people.
  • It is also performed during the consecration of a new house and to bless a newly married couple.

Tashi Shabdo Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • This age old group dance beautifully and gracefully shows the custom of offering Khadas (scarf) on auspicious occasion.
  • The white scarf exchanged by the members of the group during the course of dance is basically a symbol of peace, purity and prosperity.
  • The dancers dance to the melodious tunes duly supported by musical instruments such as Yarka, Drum, Flute and Yangjey.

Guru-Chinlap Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • Through this particular group dance performed by boys and girls, due respect is shown to the various Buddhist Gurus and Saints of Sikkim and their blessing is requested for overall peace, prosperity and happiness.
  • Exchange of Khadas also takes place between the dancers during the course of the dance.

Singhi Chham Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • In this group dance five boys led by a herdsman dance like legendary Snowlion.
  • The snowlion is a significant cultural symbol of the state.
  • The presence of two snowlions dancing under the guidance of a herdsman looks extremely attractive and enchanting to the viewers.
  • Musical instruments (without any songs) used are Drum, Cymbal, Yarka and Yangjey.

Yak Chham Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • Through this group dance performed by four male dancers under the command of a herdsman, utility of Yak for a common man living in high altitude areas is shown.
  • The dance begins in slow and measured steps to the clash of cymbals and the sound of the trumpets.
  • The group dance always makes a powerful impact on the audience and appears very attractive to the children.
  • Though Chhams are performed in all the monasteries of Sikkim, the ones performed at Pemayangtse, Rumtek and Enchey being more impressive draw large audience.

Nepali Folk Dances of Sikkim

Maruni Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • It is one of the oldest and popular group dance forms of the Nepali community, usually performed by three male and three female dancers.
  • In good old days, the role of Maruni, essentially a female character, was enacted by a male. With the change in customs and traditions, female dancers are now performing such a central role.
  • It is performed during the festival of Tihar in the courtyard of each house.
  • The steps of the dancers look very graceful in the background of soothing songs ably supported by musical instruments such as Harmonium, Madal, Flute and Ghoongur.

Chutkay Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • Through this romantic group dance, performed by a group of male and female dancers, joys of life and feeling of happiness is shared during the harvesting season and on some other happy occasions.

Dohori Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • This group dance of Gurung community is usually performed by three male and three female dancers.
  • In a traditional setting, after a hard days work, the dancers would assemble at ‘RodiGhar’ (a sort of entertainment centre) and exchange their views through songs and dance.
  • The musical instruments used are Madat Flute and Ghoongur.

Jeurum Silly Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • By means of this group dance of Rai community, performed by one man and four women, feelings of family members and friends is expressed on the occasion of a girl’s marriage.
  • The dancers aim to protect the Lakshmi (prosperity) of the house. Youth and old alike also join the dancers.
  • Dhol and Jhamta are the two musical instruments used.

Tamang Selo Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • This group dance of Tamang community with robust foot tapping and elaborate sound and display of Damphu instrument is performed on all happy occasions.
  • It highlights vigour and vitality of the community.
  • Tamang songs known as ‘ Hwai’ are full of human emotions.
  • These are so popular that no Nepali merrymaking is considered complete without singing a Tamang song.

Lakhey (Mask) Dance Folk Dances of Sikkim

  • This group mask dance of Newar (Pradhan) community is performed to ward off evil spirits and to bring peace and prosperity.
  • The musical instruments which support the dance form are Khe( Dhol), Jhali and Dhimay.

Naumati Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • In this beautiful group dance of Damai community nine kinds of musical instruments are used to perfection.
  • These are two types of Senai ( Shehnai), Turhi, small and big, Damaha (Nagara) of two types, Tuyamko (Small Dhol) of two types, Dholki and Jhyamta (cymbal).
  • The Naumati Baja is a regular feature during the wedding and other auspicious occasions.

Chyap-Brung Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • Chyap-Brung is the traditional musical instrument of the Limboo community.
  • It is like a Dholak in shape but much bigger in size.
  • During the course of group dance, male dancers hang the instrument around their necks with the help of a rope and beat the drum with an open palm on one side and a stick on the other.
  • Such a manoeuvre produces two different sounds which echo boldly in valleys and mountains.

Dhaan Nach Folk Dance of Sikkim

  • This group dance performed by four men and four women with the backing of harmonium, madal, flute and ghoongur shows the symbol of good and firm spirit of farmers against rain and scorching heat.
  • In order to break the monotony of routine field work, men and women attempt merrymaking through song and dance.
  • It is a ritualistic dance performed by the youth and old alike in traditional costumes, since time immemorial.

 

Folk Songs of Sikkim

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Folk Songs of Sikkim

People and Culture of Sikkim

  • The People of Sikkim consist of three ethnic groups, that is, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali.
  • Communities of different hues intermingle freely in Sikkim to constitute a homogenous blend.
  • Hindu Temples coexist with Buddhist Monasteries, Churches, Mosque and Gurudwara.
  • The predominant Communities are Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese.
  • These myriad Cultures has produced a quintessential Sikkimese Culture that encompasses all ways and walk of life, but has also managed to preserve their own identity.
  • These can also be seen in the various places of Worship, Festivals and Cultural dances that are celebrated through the year.
  • Folk songs and folk dances occupy a prominent place in the culture of Sikkim.
  • Men and womenfolk fully participate in dances to mark such important occasion like birth, weddings rituals or any other festivals
  • For those belonging to the peasant & labour class the melodious folk songs and dances arc indeed life giving ambrosia whose lifting tones & rhythmic pattern wipes away their fatigue hunger & worries.

Music cum Dance of Bhutias of Sikkim

  • Bhutias have a rich folk culture. Men and women sing folk songs and perform folk dances.
  • ‘Denjong Chha-Lu’ is one of the popular national songs of an older Sikkim, Beyul Demojong – a hidden land endowed not only with natural beauty but also with spiritual contentment.
  • Bhutias are devotedly Buddhist and the Denjong Chha-Lu highlights the significance of the secret land of plenty i.e. Sikkim.
  • Through this song-cum-dance marked with foot-tapping and graceful hand movements, the Bhutias also express their reverence of great teachers and sacred places by whose grace Sikkim has become a beatific land.
  • The dancers don traditional attire (see above) to perform. Musical accompaniment is provided by instruments like the dranyen (a six stringed instrument producing melodious notes), gyumang (many stringed instrument, usually 74-stringed), piwang (two stringed instrument), flute, cymbals and drums. Bhutias are intrinsically nature-lovers.
  • Their country songs, called zhunglu, mostly contain descriptions of the landscape and its animals.
  • The song, ‘Zigmo Zeepa Jhoen’ means to greet animals and witness their merrymaking.
  • With rhythmic foottapping matched by the music of the dranyen, gyumang, piwang, flute, cymbals and drums, the dancers first greet the sun, and then form a circle to greet the snow lion of the mighty mountain, the vulture, the king of the birds, the ten-horned stag of the flat land, the striped tiger of the jungle, the golden fish of the sacred lake, the singing birds of the pleasant grove and the sturdy horses of the tamed stables.
  • As they tap out their rhythms, the dancers greet young lads of this ‘arcane’ land to showcase their skills at arrow-shooting, and to ask the young lasses as well to exhibit their talent at singing.
  • Through the medium of song, the Bhutias convey their conviction in the belief of peace and merrymaking.

Music cum Dance of Bhujels of Sikkim

  • Bhujels are fond of folk songs and dance, which are mostly seasonal, though some are used at any time.
  • Some of their popular dances are the Ghatu, Chutka, Jahmre (Folk Duet) and Nachan (Padurya).
  • Chutka’s various enactments begin from Maghe Sankranti (mid-January) and continue through till Asar Purne (midJuly).
  • Usually performed at night, it involves a group of boys going to the houses of unmarried girls in the evening, sitting outside their houses and singing the ‘Chutka’ which is laced with love and promises.
  • After the boys sing three or four rhymes, the girls come out from inside the house, and the entire neighbourhood begins to dance to the beat of the drums (Takyu) played by the boys.
  • Interestingly, the girls do not sing. Before leaving the next morning, the boys pay for the feast organized by the dancing girls’ parents.

Music cum Dance of Chettris of Sikkim

  • Chettris have a tradition of folk songs, lores and music, and use of stringed musical instruments.
  • One of the oldest and most popular group dances in which the Chettri community rejoices is the Maruni Naach.
  • The dance form traces its origin to Tihar, a period that marks the return of the Hindu god, Rama, from exile.
  • During the festival, which runs for 15 days, richly dressed Maruni dancers go on a house-to-house visit, performing in their courtyards.
  • Curiously, the dancers are usually accompanied by a clown, called dhatuwaray, whose job it is to protect the Maruni from rowdy elements and to keep alive the general performance with his gestures and humour.
  • In the good old days, the role of Maruni, surprisingly a female character, was enacted by a male. With the change in customs and traditions, the dance has evolved and female dancers are now performing that central role.
  • The dancers tune their steps to the different beats of the madal – also adorned with marigold flowers. With flute and cymbals, the intricate patterns of their dance blend into the pulsating rhythm of festivity and celebration.
  • Before the dance performance, the dancers assemble at the house of the teacher and offer prayers to the madal.
  • The teacher plays the madal in a slow, grand tempo, and then starts the decoration of the maruni.
  • Maruni is not only confined to singing and dancing; it also is comprised of dance dramas, conforming to different aspects – emotions and feelings; gestures; songs and clothes – as laid down in the Natya Shastra, an ancient Indian treatise on the performing arts, encompassing theatre, dance and music

Music cum Dance of Damai of Sikkim

  • The Damai people are very good folk musicians.
  • Both men and women take part in dance and music.
  • Some men are professionals in that they are known for using nine types of musical instruments, called naumati baja.
  • This is a traditional profession inherited from their ancestors which is why they still serve as folk musicians for all the Nepali communities of Sikkim, especially during marriages.
  • Naumati baja is an ensemble of nine traditional musical instruments, which lends an auspicious aura to ritual functions and auspicious occasions such as weddings.
  • The naumati baja repertoire consists of context-specific traditional tunes such as seasonal rice-planting tunes (asare), music for the Hindu month of Phalgun (phagu), the seasonal tune of the October Dasain festival (malasri); songs performed for the bride’s departure at weddings (beuli magne); music accompanying ceremonial rites (astute); popular folk dances, modern folk songs, etc.
  • Typical features of current naumati music are small intervals, stepwise melodic movements and short repetitive phrases, among others.

Music cum Dance of Kamis of Sikkim

  • Kamis are joyous people who spend their pastime in music and dance.
  • They are also expert performers of the traditional folk dance, Maruni Nritya.
  • They have folk songs related to marriage, juari is held after the harvest, and they perform Maruni Naach and Madale Naach at the time of Tihar and Dasain, their biggest festivals.
  • The theme and origin of this dance form may be similar to the Maruni Naach performed by the Chettri community and Mangar Maruni staged by the Mangar community, but this performing art, performed by Kamis depicts Maruni as a male character garbed in female costumes and ornaments.
  • Even the dhatuwaray or phursungay, who acts as the court jester wearing funny masks and clumsy clothes in order to make people–especially children–laugh, is traditionally typical.
  • The dance begins with sakhi or sasi songs, sung to pay obeisance to all the gods and goddesses of the earth, sky, the underworld and all the four directions of the earth.
  • As the Maruni dances to the tune of the naumati baja, the jester keeps alive the dance with his gestures and humour.
  • Although this dance is associated with the festival of Tihar, because of its popularity, it is performed even on occasions like marriages.

Fairs and Festivals of Sikkim

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Fairs and Festivals of Sikkim

People and Culture of Sikkim

  • The People of Sikkim consist of three ethnic groups, that is, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali.
  • Communities of different hues intermingle freely in Sikkim to constitute a homogenous blend.
  • Hindu Temples coexist with Buddhist Monasteries, Churches, Mosque and Gurudwara.
  • The predominant Communities are Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese.
  • These myriad Cultures has produced a quintessential Sikkimese Culture that encompasses all ways and walk of life, but has also managed to preserve their own identity.
  • These can also be seen in the various places of Worship, Festivals and Cultural dances that are celebrated through the year.

List of major Fairs and Festivals

Loosong/Namsoong

  • Lossong celebrated all over Sikkim marks the end of the harvest season at the end of the tenth month of the Tibetan Year.
  • Taking cue from a good harvest and praying for even better prospects for the next crop, the festival is marked by religious masked dances in Enchey Monastery.
  • The dances symbolize the exorcizing of the evil spirits and the welcoming of the good spirits for the new year.
  • Lossong has now become an important festival where visitors from all over the world can get to see the local sporting events like archery, climbing of greased pole.
  • Local cuisine, handicrafts, floriculture and cultural programmes are some of the added attractions during the festival.
  • The festival is organized by Tribal Youth Association of Gangtok.

Lampokhari Paryatan Mahotsav, Aritar

  • Located at a height of 5100 ft, Aritar is surrounded by lush green forest, lakes and paddy fields.
  • The entire Khanchendzonga range can be viewed from this place. Aritar offers adventure sports, nature trails.
  • Lampokhari is one of the serene lakes where one can enjoy boating.
  • Added attractions are Aritar Monastery, Mankhim Dara, Phusray Lake, Pango Lakha and Rachela

Baisakhi Festival, Makha Tumin –Lingee

  • Organised to herald the spring season and the Nepali New Year.
  • Cultural programme, traditional customs, local cusinies and other local activities can be experienced

Sakewa

  • Sakewa is celebrated with great fervor by all the Kirat Khambu Rai community.
  • Also known as Bhumi/ Chandi Puja or land worshipping ceremony it is celebrated all over the State.
  • It is celebrated at that time of the year when cranes migrate to the Northern Hemisphere this indicates sowing season of cucumber, pumpkin and other kharif crops.
  • The festival begins with Shakti Puja at Mangkhim (temple) performed by a Chief Priest (Mangpa) for good harvest followed by the Shova Yatra.
  • Various traditional dishes like Wachipa, Bongchipa, Arakha Hengmawa, Baksa and Okrukma are served.

Saga Dawa

  • Full moon day of the 4th month in the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, around end of May and early June.
  • Saga Dawa is a very important festival for the Buddhists.
  • This day is considered to be the holiest of the holy Buddhist Festival.
  • On this day Lord Buddha took birth, achieved Enlightenment and passed away attaining Nirvana.

Bhanu Jayanti

  • A cultural festival organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Nepali poet, Bhanu Bhakta Acharya.
  • Competitions for school children are organised in various field such as poetry, drama etc.
  • Other programmes include cultural parade and culture programmes.

Drukpa Tshechi

  • This festival celebrates Lord Buddha’s first preaching of the Four Noble Truths to his first five disciples at Saranath.
  • The festival is held on the 4th day of the 6th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.
  • Prayers are conducted in the major monasteries all over the State.

Namprikdang Namsoong , Dzongu, North Sikkim

  • Namsoong is celebrated to welcome the good spirits for the New Year.
  • Namsoong has now become an important festival where visitors from all over the world can get to see the local sporting events like archery, pole climbing etc Local cuisine, handicrafts, floriculture and cultural programmes are some of the added attractions during the festival.

Cherry Tea Festival Temi South Sikkim

  • Tea plantation at Temi, South Sikkim was commenced in the year 1969.
  • The plantation ranges between the elevation range from 1460 to 1890 msl.
  • Temi being agro- climatically suitable for cultivation of China variety of tea plants initially procured from Darjeeling Tea Gardens.
  • The tea factory with orthodox type of manufacture was established in 1977.
  • The garden is consistently producing superior quality tea acceptable to wide markets both international and domestic segments.
  • The festival is organised with objectives as under:
  1. To promote Sikkim (Temi) Tea globally.
  2. To promote new destinations in and around South District.
  3. To promote home stays and village tourism in order to enhance and generate income of the local community.

Lhabab Duechen

  • This festival epitomizes in a significant manner the descent of Buddha from the heaven of the thirtythree Gods after visiting his mother.
  • It is universally believed that Lord Buddha through his spiritual powers came to know about the whereabouts of his mother who did not live for a long time after his birth.
  • After gaining the necessary information about his mother he ascended to Heaven where he delivered sermons to his mother and other celestial beings.
  • During this period the disciples of the lord could not bear his long separation and longed to hear his preaching.
  • Buddha finally relented and descended on earth along a triple ladder that was prepared especially for the occasion by Viswakarma

Barahimizong

  • The festival of Barahimizong is celebrated by the Mangar community living in Sikkim.
  • The celebration reflects the faith in almighty as the bestower and protector of mankind.
  • Through this festival, the gratitude to God is expressed by offering fresh harvest and seek good fortune for the coming days.

 

Dasain ( Durga Puja)

  • Also known as Durga Puja, this fortnight long Hindu festival usually falls in the month of October.
  • The festival symbolizes the victory of the Hindu Goddess Durga over evil.
  • Barley seeds are sown in the soil on the first day of this festival and their growth foretells good harvest.
  • A week later is “Phulpati “meaning the day of flowers, followed by Maha Astami and Kala Ratri and Navami.
  • The 10th day of the festival is known as Vijay Dashmi and also marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.
  • During this day people smear their foreheads with colored rice and the barley sprouts, which was sown on the first day of Dasain, are picked and placed over the ears.

Indrajatra

  • Indrajatra is an important religious festival celebrated with pomp and fanfare by the Newar community in Sikkim.
  • It is belived that many centuries ago, Indra (king of Heaven)’s mother needed specially scented flowers (Parijat).
  • Indra looked for them but could not find them in heaven.
  • Indra discovered Parijat flowers in the Kathmandu Valley and tried to steal them for his mother. He was caught and imprisoned by people in the Valley.
  • Indra’s mother came searching for him and people were shocked to know what they had done.
  • They released Indra and dedicated one of the most colourful festivals of Nepal to him to calm down his anger.

Pang Lhabsol

  • Pang Lhabsol, a festival unique to Sikkim is celebrated to offer gratitude to Mt Khanchendzonga, the Guardian Deity of Sikkim and to Yabdu, the Supreme Commander.
  • Rabong is now emerging as one of the important Buddhist Pilgrimage Destinations. Situated at the base of Maenam Hill, a sub-divisional headquarter and transit point for beautiful spots such as Chozo Lake, Ralong Monastery, Manilakhang Sakyamuni Cultural and Pilgrimage Centre and various tourist destinations of South Sikkim, Base Camp for trekkers to Maenam Hill and Borong Hot Spring.
  • A trek down to the sacred lake “Shar Chok Bhepu”, one of the four holiest caves in Sikkim, would be a memorable experience.

Namchi Mahotsav Namchi ,South Sikkim

  • Namchi – “Top of the Sky”, nestled among the hills at an elevation of 4,400 feet.
  • The town commands a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and snow capped mountains and stretches of the valleys below.
  • It is an excellent place for short stay and village excursions.
  • Samdruptse “The Wish Fulfilling Hill” has 135 ft high statue of Guru Padmasambhava which is the highest in the world.
  • Siddheshvara Dham (Char Dham) is another state of the art pilgrimage centre wherein replica of all four Dham has been built around an eighty seven feet high statue of Lord Shiva.
  • All 12 jyotirlingaas are also built around the temple complex.
  • With so much to offer to the visitors the Toursim Committees are actively involved in promotion and publicity of Namchi, South Sikkim.
  • Every year Namchi Mahaotsav is celebrated in the month of October.
  • There are activities like traditional sports, sale and exhibition of local arts and handicrafts, cuisine, flower show and sale etc.

Kagyed Dance

  • Kagyed dance, a customary dance festival, celebrated annually in Sikkim falls on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month according to Tibetan calendar, which according to English calendar falls in the month of December.
  • In the name of eight tantrik Gods and Goddesses commonly called Kagyed, lamas on these days perform dances and sing songs in different monasteries and offer prayers to them requesting these deities to save human beings from the tormenting evil spirits and to bless them for good health and fortune.

Red Panda Winter Festival, Gangtok

  • The winter season in Sikkim draws a spectacular image of Mt. Khangchendzonga in its ivory grandeur, providing an alluring background while corpuscular rays pierce through the scudding clouds over the skies, adorning Sikkim perfectly for the cold season.
  • Red Panda Winter Festival previously known as Sikkim Winter Carnival is organized in the cold months of December/ January annually.
  • Like most festivals, the Red Panda Winter Festival showcased the traditions and culture of the Sikkimese people.
  • The festival integrates the locals as well as the tourists with events and activities themed on a typical Himalayan winter.
  • From food stalls that serves exquisite and delicious cuisines of various ethnic tribes and communities, to cultural carnival showcasing diverse culture and traditions of Sikkimese people, flower shows, handloom and handicraft exhibitions, adventure sports, photography contests, rock –shows, karaoke and dancing and many more other interactions forms the affair of the festival.

Pelling Tourism Festival

  • Pelling is one of the most popular tourist destinations.
  • Visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the mountains including Mt. Khangchendzonga, the 3rd highest mountain in the world.
  • There are numerous tourist spots in and around Pelling.
  • A weeklong festival includes cultural extravaganza, sale of local handicrafts, handlooms and local cuisine

Loosong/Namsoong

  • Lossong celebrated all over Sikkim marks the end of the harvest season at the end of the tenth month of the Tibetan Year.
  • Taking cue from a good harvest and praying for even better prospects for the next crop, the festival is marked by religious masked dances in Enchey Monastery.
  • The dances symbolize the exorcizing of the evil spirits and the welcoming of the good spirits for the new year.
  • Lossong has now become an important festival where visitors from all over the world can get to see the local sporting events like archery, climbing of greased pole.
  • Local cuisine, handicrafts, floriculture and cultural programmes are some of the added attractions during the festival.
  • The festival is organized by Tribal Youth Association of Gangtok.

Guru Rinpoche’s Thrunkar Tshechu

  • “Guru Thrunkar Tshechu is celebrated as the birth day of Guru Padmasambhava, reverentially referred as ‘Guru Rinpoche’ in Eastern Himalayan region and Sikkim in particular.
  • Guru Rinpoche is revered and worshipped as guardian saint in Sikkim who blessed this land as ‘Bayul Demojong’ (hidden valley of rice) and transmitted tantric Buddhism in the region adjoined by Bhutan and Tibet in the 8th Century AD.
  • Among the galaxy of Buddhist monks, Arahats and Rinpoches, the prominence of Guru Padmasambhava as the principal associate and disciple of Lord Buddha stands out.
  • It was his prominence that transformed this land into predominantly a Buddhist land.
  • Guru Padmasambhava is not only revered by Buddhist but is held in high regard by the Sikkimese across all faiths.

Tendong Lho Rum Faat

  • Tendong Lho Rum Faat is the oldest festival of indigenous Lepcha community of Sikkim.
  • The festival is related to with a legend of deluge.
  • The indigenous Lepchas residing in the Himalayan belt had earlier named each and every mountain, hills, rivers, valleys and ravines which was known as Nye-Mayel-Lang.
  • Some of these mountains and rivers, hills and ravines have not only carried beautiful and romantic folk lore but historical significance as well.
  • These mountains and valleys figure prominently in their local myths and folklores.
  • Tendong Lho Rum Faat is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in Sikkim on 7th and 8th August every year.
  • It is a unique ritual maintained by our fore-fathers since time immemorial which is a matter of great pride for all of us.
  • Realizing its importance and need to preserve this age old tradition and culture of the indigenous Lepchas, the Tourism Department has included this festival in the tourism calendar of events.
  • The festival is organised annually by the Tendong Lho Rum Faat celebration committee.

Dentam Rhododendron Festival

  • The three day long Dentam Rhododendron Festival is celebrated under Maneybong – Dentam Constituency in West Sikkim.
  • The festival will be staged in popular tourist destinations viz. Uttarey, Dentam, Hee Bermoik, Chyataal, Gurasaydara, Changay Village with host of activities ranging from nature to adventure based.

Ram Nawami (Chaitey Dasain)

  • This is one of the most auspicious festivals of Sikkim and is observed in the honor of Lord Rama.
  • The grand celebrations commemorate the birth of the virtuous king Rama who is universally adored for his flourishing and righteous sovereignty.
  • People from all over the state gather together to celebrate this festival with much excitement and vigor.
  • Also known as Chaitey Dasain it is also celebrated as tourist festival. Devotees hikes towards Tendong Hill, South Sikkim for offering prayers.

Sonam Lochhar

  • Lho means year or age and Sar means new or fresh.
  • The word Lhosar means New Year or beginning of new era.
  • Tamang community in Sikkim celebrates their new year on the first day of new moon or in other words the very next day after the no-moon day of month of Magh.
  • The Tibetan calendar is made up of twelve lunar months and Losar begins on the first day of the first month.

Losar

  • It is the Tibetan New year and is marked with a lot of gaiety and festivity across the State

Jorethang Maghey Mela, Jorethang, South Sikkim

  • Maghey Sankrati is celebrated all over Sikkim as one of the major festivals of the Hindu community.
  • However, it is not confined to only one religious group.
  • People of different religions come together to take part in this festival.
  • There are fairs in almost all parts of Sikkim.
  • People gather to take a holy dip in the rivers of Teesta and Rangit.
  • One of the biggest celebration of this festival is in Jorethang, South Sikkim, which lies on the banks of river Rangit.
  • The main activities during this fair are sale and exhibition of local handicrafts and handlooms, floriculture and horticulture products, cultural programme and competitions in local dance and music.
  • The festival carries on for almost a week. People from neighboring State as well as tourists from all over the country as well as abroad visits Jorethang during this festival.
  • Some of the adventure activities which are popular in this area are paragliding and angling