A Short Note on Festivals of Sikkim

Sikkim, a very small state, is one of the northeastern states of India. The Tibetian region borders Sikkim in the North and Northeast, Bhutan in the Southeast, West Bengal in the South, and Nepal in the West. This state is surrounded by mountains on three sides, which form a basin. The third-highest peak in the world, Kanchenjunga, is found here. Sikkim’s capital is Gangtok, and this capital city is located in the southern part of the state. The people of Sikkim celebrate every festival with full pomp and enthusiasm.

Maghe Sankranti

This festival is celebrated on the first day of the tenth month according to the Bikram Sambat calendar. This festival symbolises the onset of warm weather. It is a secular festival, and people of all faiths celebrate it together. This festival is known as Makar Sankranti in different parts of India. It is celebrated usually towards the middle of January, i.e., around the 14th of the month, and it is celebrated for three days. 

This festival includes a bathing festival called Makkar, when people take a dip at the confluence of the rivers Teesta and Rangit.

On this day, huge melas are organised in many places, mainly along the river banks and confluence of rivers. The biggest and most awaited mela is the Jorethang Maghe Mela, held in Jorethang in south Sikkim. It has become a significant event, attracting hordes of locals and tourists. The mela is said to have evolved from the agricultural fair held in Jorethang for the first time in 1955. Hundreds of stalls selling and exhibiting various products are put up for the many people who visit the fair.

Losar 

It is one of the well-known festivals of Sikkim that marks the end of the harvesting period. On this day, people celebrate the Tibetan New year by gathering their family, friends, and relatives. It is usually commemorated in February. The Gutor Chaam is a dance performed at the Rumtek monastery that depicts the conflict between good and evil and the destruction of evil through rituals. This dance is performed two days before Losar. 

Sonam Lochar

This is one of the significant festivals of Sikkim for the Tamang community. This festival is celebrated between January and February, during the spring (Magha Shukla Paksha). Like every community, the Tamangs commemorate their celebration with the greatest joy and enthusiasm. The festival lasts for five to fifteen days, depending on the place. Damphu, a percussion instrument similar to a large tambourine, is played during this festival, and the people dance to the rhythmic beats. 

Chaite Dashain

It is one of the most important religious festivals for the Nepali community who resides in the state of Sikkim. It is also known as ‘Small Dashain’. In other parts of India, this festival is celebrated as Ram Navami, and it commemorates the birth of Lord Rama. On this day, families visit holy Rama temples and get together to enjoy this festival and delicious meals.

Saga Dawa

It is one of the predominant festivals in Sikkim. This festival is known as the Triple Blessed Festival and is celebrated between June and July. It is a holy month for the Buddhist people of Sikkim. Prayers are held throughout the month in different monasteries. This festival, celebrated by the Mahayana community, signifies the three phases of Gautam Buddha – his birth, his enlightenment, and his attainment of Moksha. According to the Buddhist Lunar calendar, Saga Dawa is celebrated on the fourth month. It is celebrated as Buddha Poornima across various parts of India. 

Drukpa Tshechi 

According to the Tibetan calendar, this festival is celebrated on the Teshi (4th) day of the Drukpa (6th) month. According to the English calendar, this festival is usually commemorated between July and August every year. 

The legend behind the festival is that it is observed to celebrate Lord Buddha and his first preaching of the Four Noble Truths. 

• The first noble truth speaks about suffering. 
• The second noble truth acclaims the reality of the origin of suffering and its causes. 
• The third noble truth confirms the termination of suffering or the realisation of ‘Nirvana.’
• The fourth noble truth speaks about the truth of the Eight Fold Path, which eventually leads to Nirvana.

Bumchu 

Bhumchu is a Buddhist festival held on the 14th and 15th day of the first month, between February and March. In Sikkim, the Tashiding Monastery is recognised as a sacred place.

In this festival, a ritual is done in which the future is predicted using a pot (called Bum by the people of Sikkim) filled with holy and sacred water (chu). The amount of water level predicts the amount of prosperity and happiness in the upcoming year. 

Tendong Lho Rum Faat 

This festival is very special to the Lepcha community. Tendong Lho Rum Faat is one of the oldest festivals of Sikkim and is celebrated in August. According to folklore, Mount Tendong, which is located to the south of Sikkim, saved the people of the Lepcha community during the great flood that inundated the country of Mayel Lyang, which is now called Sikkim. So, this festival is a thanksgiving to that mountain. Various literary and cultural programmes are held during the three-day celebration. On the last day of this festival, there is an exhibition of Lepcha traditional food, costumes, and ornaments.

Conclusion

The festivals of Sikkim are performed with full pomp and gaiety as per their Buddhist calendar. According to the Buddhist Lunar calendar, Saga Dawa is celebrated in the fourth month. It is celebrated as Buddha Poornima across various parts of India. Tendong Lho Rum Faat is one of the oldest festivals of Sikkim, wherein people offer thanksgiving to Mount Tendong. The Losar festival is commemorated by gatherings of family, friends, and relatives. The Gutor Chaam, a dance performed at the Rumtek monastery, depicts a conflict between good and evil.