All festivals are vibrant and beautiful with traditional dances, music, rituals, foods, etc. This combination makes the festivals more exciting and colourful. All these festivals have their charm, and beauty and are celebrated with great interest and joy by most people.
In this article, we have listed the Top 5 Popular Festivals of Sikkim:
1. Saga Dawa
The Mahayana Buddhists celebrate this festival. Hindus also celebrate this festival as Buddh Poornima. As per history, It has the 3 phases related to the Gautam Buddha. The phases are Birth, Enlightenment, and attaining nirvana.
It is celebrated on the full moon of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. On this day, people visit the various monasteries to take the blessings of the Lord Buddha.
Saga Dawa: May 23, 2024 (Full Moon Day in the fourth month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar).
2. Pang Lhabsol
This festival is celebrated for the highest peak Mt. Kanchenjunga of India; as a protector deity, the Sikkimese people celebrate the Pang Lhabsol festival, which rejoices the existence of the Himalayas with centuries-old customs.
The ritual of this festival is many centuries old. The native Lamas come forward to perform at shows. Wearing five skulls suggests Mount Kanchenjunga, warriors dancing around him, and monks chanting the sacred Sutras.
Since the 13th century, this festival was into play, and it was introduced by Chagdor Namgyal, the third spiritual king of Sikkim. In the long run, God Makhala makes an appearance blessing everyone with prosperity and peace.
Pang Lhabsol: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 (15th day of the 7th month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar).
3. Losar
Losar is the Tibetan New Year that is celebrated in February. It is celebrated by inviting friends and family for festival gatherings.
On this day, various communities performed at Rumtek monastery depicting the struggle between good and evil and the ritualized destruction of evil. Find more information: Losar Festival India: Date, History, Celebrations & Attractions
Losar: Saturday, February 10, 2024 (First Day of the Tibetan New Year, determined by the Tibetan Lunar Calendar).
4. International Flower Festival
The International Flower Festival is celebrated in the northeastern state of Sikkim. The exhibition of flowers is the major center of attraction.
To let people completely see and revel in the abundance of blossoms in Sikkim, there is an International Flower Festival each year. It’s held in the summer when flowers bloom naturally. Everyone in Sikkim celebrates this festival with great joy and enthusiasm.
International Flower Festival: Dates TBA (Usually held in December, exact dates not confirmed yet for 2024).
5. Tamu Lochar
Tamu Lochar is the traditional festival of the Gurung Community. It signifies the beginning of the Gurung New Year.
It is celebrated on the 15th day of Pusa, according to the Vikram Sambat, and from the English calendar, it is celebrated on 30 December. The festival is celebrated with the family, friends, and society.
Tamu Lochar: December 30, 2024 (First Day of the New Year according to the Tamang Calendar).
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Also read: Guide to the Best October Spots in Sikkim
Conclusion
The above 5 are the top and most popular festivals of Sikkim. These all are celebrated with great joy and fun. All these festivals celebrate similar aspects and are celebrated with enthusiasm and pleasure by most people living in Sikkim.
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