Fairs & Festivals in Sikkim

The people celebrate the anniversaries relating to birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of the Buddha, besides the Buddhist New Year and the harvest festivals. Several festivals are celebrated in Gangtok and its adjoining areas. The Buddhist festival of Bumchu is held in the Tashiding Gompa during January. Indian Travel agent provides hotel bookings, hotel booking in India.The festival of Chaam is held in Enchey Gompa during January,February and is marked by dancing. Kagyat Dance is a mask dance held every month at Gangtok, Pemayangtse and Phodong. Losar marks the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated during February,March at Pemayangtse and Rumtek. Tse Chu is a Buddhist dance held in May at Rumtek. Saga Dawa (held in Gangtok during May) and Drukpa Teshi (celebrated statewide during July) mark Buddha's first teaching. Phang Lhabsol is a mask dance celebrated statewide during August. Dasain, the biggest Hindu festival is celebrated during October, is marked by gift exchanges and animal sacrifices.

 BUDDHIST FESTIVALS:  

Saga Dawa: This is the Triple Blessed Festival and is considered as the holiest of the holy Buddhist Festivals. On this day in different years of his life, Lord Buddha took birth, achieved Enlightenment and passed away attaining Nirvana, three important events celebrated in the festival of Saga Dawa.Indian Travel agent provides hotel bookings, hotel booking in India.

 Drukpa Tsheshi: This festival is observed by the Buddhists to mark the event when Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma (His first sermon to five disciples at Sarnath). This festival celebrates Buddha's first preaching of the four Noble Truths to his first five disciples in a deer park at Sarnath. The first is the Noble Truth of suffering. Visit India with Indian Travel agent. The Second Noble Truth is the truth of the origin of suffering Karma and Delusion and their causes. The third Noble Truth is the cessation of the suffering or the attainment of Nirvana. The fourth Noble Truth is the truth of the Eight Fold Path leading to Nirvana. The day falls on the fourth day (Teshi) of the sixth Tibetan month (Drukpa).

 Phang Lhabsol: This festival is unique to Sikkim. It was popularised by the third Chogyal of Sikkim, Chakdor Namgyal. In this festival the snowy range of Khangchendzonga is worshipped for its unifying powers. This festival also marks the signing of the treaty of blood brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias by Khye Bumsa and Tetong Tek when the local deities were invoked to witness the occasion. Visit India with Indian Travel agent.

 Losoong: Losoong marks the end of the harvest season and also 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 Chaam dancing's at the monasteries at Palace (Tsu-La-Khang), Phodong and Rumtek.Experience India with Indian Travel Agent. The dances symbolize the exorcizing of the evil spirits of the year and the welcoming of the good spirit of the new year. It is best observed in rural Sikkim.  Archery competitions and festivities mark the event. Men become gods during the dances and don attires with mystical symbols.

 Losar: The Tibetan New Year is shared also by the Sikkimese and marked with lot of gaiety and festivity. It falls normally in the month of February.The Tibetan youth take to the streets on the day performing the Yak dance and throwing sampa as a way of greeting and welcoming the new year with shouts of "Tashi Delek". The Tibetan community exerts itself in the more than week long festivity with their brocades, jewelry, songs, dances and picnics.Experience India with Indian Travel Agent.

 Bumchu: Bum means "pot or vase" and chu means "water". This festival is celebrated at the monastery at Tashiding in the month of January or February. During the festival, the pot containing the Holy water is opened by the lamas of the monastery.Tour India with Indian Travel Agent. The level of water in the pot foretells the future for the forthcoming year. If the water is to the brim, it foretells a year in which peace and prosperity will prevail. If the water is over the brim and is spilling signifies a year with natural disaster and flood , it prophesies bloodshed and disturbances. If the water lever is low or almost dry it signifies famine. A part of the holy water is distributed amongst the gathering of devotes and the pot is replenished with river water and sealed at the end of the festival to be opened only in the next Bumchu.

 Guru Rimpoche's Trungkar Tshechu: On this day, Sikkimese Buddhist pay homage to the master who first blessed Sikkim as holy land, Guru Rimpoche. The master is believed to have firmly establish Buddhism in Sikkim and introduce his form of Tantric Buddhism to the Himalayas after vanquishing , demons obstructing the growth of dharma in Tibet. The day commemorates his victory over these demons and the devout believe that virtues accrued by recitation of mantras on this day are two-fold. Tour India with Indian Travel Agent.

 Kagyed Dance: It is performed on the 28th and 29th day of the 10th month of the Tibetan Calendar, around December. This dance is performed symbolizing the destruction of the evil forces and hoping for peace and prosperity to flourish in every Sikkimese home.Tour Incredible India with Indian Travel agent. The dancers of this is extremely

 Kalchakra Puja: A mention of the two bodies of Buddhism, Hinayana and Mahayana has been made at the beginning of this chapter. To attain Nirvana or Enlightenment and freedom from suffering one of the paths offered is Tantrayana which emphasizes the Tantric or mystic aspect of Buddhism involving complex and esoteric rituals.Tour Incredible India with Indian Travel agent.

 HINDU FESTIVALS:  

Dasain / Dusshera/ Durga Puja: One of the most important festivals for the Nepalese Hindus, this fortnight long festival usually falls in the month of October. While Hindus around the world celebrate Durga Puja, the Nepalese observe the days as Dasain or Bijaya Dashmi.All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent. This festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It is widely believed that on this day the evil Mahisura was slain by Goddess Durga who is the embodiment of Goodness and Shakti, in a fierce duel fight.

 Tihar or Tyohar/ Diwali: This festival of lights also know as the Deepavali means "a row of lights". This festival is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama, his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana, to their kingdom after 14 years of exile. To celebrate their return, the people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit up their houses and streets with lamps and the tradition is followed till date. People also conduct Lakshmi Puja to please the Goddess of Wealth.All tour and Travel needs for India by Indian travel agent.

 Saraswati Puja: This festival falls in the month of January and honors the Hindu Goddess of knowledge "Saraswati". School children place their study books in front of the statue and seek blessings for doing well in their studies.Explore Incredible India with Special Holidays.

 Janmastami: Also known as Krishnastami or Gokulastami is a festival dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna and commemorates his birth. This festival occurs on the eight day (Astami) of a lunar fortnight hence the name (Krishna+astami). Krishnastami which comes sometime in August is celebrated over two days. The first day is Krishnastami or Gokulastami. Incredible India Tours with Indian Travel agent.The second day is called Kalastami or more popularly Janmastami. This festival associated with Lord Krishna's birthday and is a combination of religion and celebration together. Mathura, the ancient north Indian town, is Krishna's birthplace, and it is one of the most sacred places in the entire country. People celebrate this festival with fun, frolic, and merrymaking. The raasleelas, bhajan, kirtan, and various local functions are the special attractions of the place.

 Vishwa Karma Puja: This festival takes place on 17th September every year and honour Vishwa Karma - the God of Machines, statues of this deity are put up in temporary sheds called pandals and worshipped especially by those who are involved in handling machines like drivers and mechanics. Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

 Maghe Sankranti : One of the important festivals of Hindus, Maghe Sankranti known as Makar sankranti in other parts of India is celebrated on the first day of the month of Magh (of the Vikram Sambhat calendar) and is observed for three days. This day is believed by the Nepalese as the day that marks the division of the Winter and Summer solstice. It marks the beginning of the lengthening of days. Bathing in rivers, especially in the confluence of rivers, is prescribed for this day followed by feasting. Huge fairs are organized along the river banks and confluence of rivers.Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings. The prayers begin with dawn and the fairs draw people from surrounding areas in thousands. It is an occasion for villagers to gather, meet each other and make purchases. The most colourful introduction to the Sikkimese milieu as people from all communities patronize these fairs. Although just about every district has its fair, the bigger ones are seen at Jorethang (south Sikkim) and Saramsa (East Sikkim).

 Holi: This Hindu festival of colors takes on a new meaning in the colder climes of Sikkim. All night revelry, songs and dances brings the business community (which is largely Hindu) to the streets and also observed is the (Matki) competition in the heart of the town. A good example of the communal harmony prevalent in Sikkim as even the ethnic Bhutias and Lepchas can be seen scrambling with their Hindu friends to take a crack at the pot hung high in the air.Special Holidays with very attractive and discounted packages and hotel bookings.

 Ramnavami (Chaite Dasain): This festival is dedicated to the memory of Lord Rama. It occurs on the ninth day (navami). The festival commemorates the birth of Rama who is remembered for his prosperous and righteous reign.

 Other Festivals:
Namsoong , Sakewa, Bhanu Jayanti, Tendong Lho-Rum-Faat, Teyongsi Srijunga Sawan Tognam, Christmas , Tamu Lochar, Nyempa GuzomIndian travel agent gives special discounted hotel from budget hotels to Deluxe hotels in India.