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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.
This Three-Fold-Auspicious-Day falls on the full
moon day of the 4th month of Buddhist lunar calendar around the
end of May and early June. The highlight of the day's observation
in Gangtok is a procession carrying the Holy Books of the teachings
of the Buddha from the Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery in the Palace around
the town.
Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini in Nepal to King
Sudhodhna and Queen Maha Maya of the Sakya Clan around 560 BC. He
was named Sidhartha and his parents took all the pains to make his
life comfortable and keep him ensconced from the miseries of the
world. At the age of twenty nine, realization dawned upon Prince
Siddhartha that all the worldly pleasures were transient and unreal
and that the ultimate truth lay elsewhere. He renounced the world
and after wandering for many years in search of the truth reached
Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh (India), where he meditated under the Bodhi
trees and attained Enlightenment at the age of thirty five. Buddha,
the Enlightened One, left for his heavenly abode at the age of eighty
one at Kusinara on attaining Nirvana or deliverance into bliss.
Lhabab Dhuechen: This festival symbolises
the Descent of Buddha from the heaven of the thirty three gods after
visiting his mother. Dhuechen means festivals, Lha means heaven
and Bab means descent.
Legends goes that Queen Maha Maya, the mother
of Lord Buddha, did not live long after his birth and took rebirth
in Trayastrimsa or the heaven of the thirty Gods. After attaining
Enlightenment, Lord Buddha through spiritual powers came to know
about the whereabouts of his mother and at the age of forty one
ascended to the heavens along with thousands of his followers. Lord
Buddha stayed in heaven for three months during which he delivered
sermons to his mother and other celestial beings. Lord Buddha had
left behind on earth one of his disciples, Maudgalyayana, as his
representative. This disciple and other devotees of the Lord could
not bear the long separation and longed to hear his preaching, Maugalyayana,
who possessed miraculous powers, was exhorted to go up to the heaven
to request the Lord to return back to the earth. The gods were not
willing to let Lord Buddha return back to earth but Maugalyana suggested
that as the earthly beings did not have the powers to visit heaven,
the celestial being could come to the earth to attend his preaching.
Lord Buddha finally relented and descended to the earth at a place
called Sankasya along a triple ladder that was prepared especially
for the occasion by Viswakarma, the God of Machines.
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. 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).
This festival is held on the 4th day(Tsheshi)
of the 6th month(Drukpa) of the Tibetan Calendar around July or
August every year.. In Gangtok, Drupka Tsheshi is marked by prayers
at the Deer Park and at a secluded place called Muguthang in extreme
North Sikkim. The festival is celebrated by holding a Yak race.
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.
In fact Phang means witness. On this day, the
guardian deity is portrayed by masked Lama dances as a fiery red-faced
deity with a crown of five skulls, riding a snow lion. To lighten
the mood of the spectators, jesters called 'Atchars' play antics
during the Chaams. The third Chogyal of Sikkim, Chakdor Namgyal
is credited for choreographing the Pang-Toed dance performed by
monks on this day.
This festival is held on the 15th day of the 7th
month around the end of August.
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. 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.
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. 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...more
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.
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. 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.
On the first day barley seeds are sown in the soil and their growth
a few inches foretells a good harvest. The next important day, a
week later is Fulpati meaning the "day of flowers". Maha
Astami and Kala Ratri follow Fulpati. The next day is 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 coloured rice and the barley sprouts which
were sown on the first day of Dasain are picked and place over the
ears.
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.
It falls on the last two days of the dark half
of Kartik (October-November). For some it is a three-day festival.
In Sikkim the festival honours certain animals
on successive days. The first day known as "Kak(crow) Tihar"
is dedicated to crows and they are offered rice and some if caught
are even garlanded. On the second day, which is known as "Kukkur(dog)
Tihar", dogs are garlanded. On the third day the cows are honored
with garlands and their horns are painted in bright colors. It is
the turn of the bullocks on the fourth day. The fifth day is also
known as Bhai Tika in which brothers visit the homes of their sisters
and they apply tikas vermilion to each other foreheads. It is also
an occasion for exchanging gifts. During Tihar, traditional carols
called Bailo or Deusi are sung.
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.
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. 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.
The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated during
the month of August or September depending on the Indian calendar.
The celebration of this festival is followed according to the Indian
calendar and hence the month in the English calendar varies every
year. This day also falls on the day of Shravan Poornima when the
monsoon season is at its high in most of the part of India.
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.
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.
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.
The festival of Holi symbolizes the victory of
good over evil. It also marks the advent of spring and people celebrate
it joyously with a splash of color. It is the most boisterous of
all Hindu festivals, observed all over India, especially the North.
It heralds the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People
throw colored water with pichkaari (a traditional device to spray
coloured water), gubbare (balloons filled with coloured water) and
gulal (colour powder) at each other and make merry. Singing and
dancing add to the gaiety of the occasion.
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.
Namsoong: An Indigenous festival of Lepchas.
It is celebrated as a mark of welcoming the new year which begins
from the first day of first month (Kurnyit Lavo) of the year which
continues for seven days. It is celebrated all over Sikkim, Darjeeling
district, Ilam of Nepal and some parts of Bhutan...
Sakewa: A Lepcha festival, the day is observed
with offerings of a variety of sweets and food grains to the deity
of food and wealth, Kubera.
Bhanu Jayanti: The Nepalese poet, Adhikavi
Bhanu Bhakta, enjoys a demi-God status in these areas and his birth
anniversary is marked with processions, poetry recitations, and
seminars. Bhanu Bhakta was the first Nepalese to translate the Hindu
holy book, Ramayana, into a Nepali version.
Tendong Lho-Rum-Faat: This Lepcha festival
is observed by the Lepchas to pay obeisance to the Tendong Hill
which saved their tribe from annihilation in the great flood.
MANGHE SANKRANTI: It is an important festival
of Nepalese celebrated during the month of Magh, around January.
NAMBUN: it is the Lepcha New Year Day,
which falls around last week of December.
Teyongsi Srijunga Sawan Tognam:
Christmas:
Tamu Lochar:
Nyempa Guzom:
The Hindus celebrate Dasain, Tihar, Saraswati
Puja, Maha Shivratri, Holi, Ramnami and Raksha Bandhan, amongst
many others.
Dasain is a fortnight long festival which falls
in the month of October. Also known as Durga Puja, this festival
symbolizes the victory of the Hindu Goddess Durga over the forces
of evil. On the first day barley seeds are sown in the soil and
their growth a few inches foretells a good harvest. The next important
day, a week later is Fulpati, which means "day of flowers".
Maha Astami and Kala Ratri follow Fulpati. The next day is 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 coloured rice and the barley sprouts which
were sown on the first day of Dasain are picked and placed over
the ears.
Tihar is known as the "Festival of Lights"
and symbolizes the return of Lord Ram to his hometown from exile
after victory over Ravana and covers a period of five days. The
festival honours certain animals on successive days. The first day
known as "Kak Tihar" is dedicated to crows and they are
offered rice and some if caught are even garlanded. On the second
day, which is known as "Kukkur Tihar", dogs are garlanded.
On the third day the cows are honoured with garlands and their horns
are painted in bright colours. It is the turn of the bullocks on
the fourth day.
Deepewali, which falls on the third day is considered
to be the most important day when goddess Lakshmi comes visiting
every home which is lit brightly with candles and lights. The fifth
day is also known as Bhai Tika in which brothers visits the homes
of their sisters and they apply tikas vermilion to each others foreheads.
It is also an occasion for exchanging gifts. During Tihar, traditional
carols called Bailo or Deusi are sung.
Saraswati Puja falls in the month of January and
honours 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.
Maha Shivratri is observed in the month of February.
This festival commemorates the marriage of the Hindu God Shiva to
Parvati. In temples dedicated to Shiva, prayers are held throughout
the day. Devotees of the god also fast on this day. The Shiva Lingam
is worshipped by washing it with milk, curd and honey. Offerings
of bael leaves are also made to the Lingam.
Holi falls in the month of March and marks the
advent of the spring season. People visit homes of friends and relatives
and smear each other with colour. This festival essentially celebrates
the killing of the demoness Holika by Lord Krishna.
Chaite Dasain or Ramnami is observed to commemorate
the birth of the Hindu God Rama. This festival is celebrated by
holding fares (melas) at various places. For businessman, Ramnami
marks the end of the financial year during which the books of accounts
are closed.
Raksha Bandhan is a festival where sisters tie
threads to the wrists of their brothers and wish for their long
and prosperous life.
The Buddhists celebrate Saga Dawa, Drukpa Teshi,
Phang Lhabsol, Losoong, Lossar, Bumchu, amongst many others.
Saga Dawa 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. These
three important events are celebrated in the festival of Saga Dawa.
This festival is held on the full moon of the 4th month of the Buddhist
calendar around the end of May and early June.
Drukpa Teshi celebrates Buddha's first preaching
of the four Noble Truths to his first five disciples. The first
is the Noble Truth of suffering. 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). This festival is held on the
4th day of the 6th month of the Buddhist calendar around August.
Phang Lhabsol is a festival that is quite unique
to Sikkim. In this festival the snowy range of Khangchendzonga is
worshipped for its unifying powers. Buddhist monks perform rituals
and prayers in the name of the Khangchendzonga deities. The monks
and devotees go all the way up to Dzongri 'Dhaplha Gang' to offer
prayers and rituals to the deities for good harvest, free the whole
country and world from disease, hunger, famine, war, etc.
This festival also marks the signing of the treaty
of brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias by Khye Bumsa and
Tetong Tek when the local deities were invoked to witness the occasion.
In fact, Phang means witness. On this day, the guardian deity is
portrayed by masked Lama dancers as a fiery red-faced deity with
a crown of five skulls riding a snow lion. This festival is held
on the 15th day of the 7th month around the end of August.
Losoong is the festival that marks the end of
the harvest season and also the end of the tenth month of the Tibetan
Year. As it falls on the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar, it
is not the real New Year but it is in fact an agriculture New Year
when rice and grains are plentiful and the weather is moderate.
Before Losoong, a ceremony called Gutor is performed by monks in
the monasteries. Kagyed (eight teachings of the Guru) dance forms
an important part of the Gutor ceremony and is held on the 28th
day of the 11th month at the monasteries.
The other religious dances or Chaams that are
performed prior to Losoong are Rolchaam (cymbal dance), Tshamche
(animal headed mask dance), Shyak (dance of horned animals), Namding
(dance of winged animals), Thakshobalap (dance of the beasts of
prey), Hdur (skeleton dance), Shanag (black hat dance), Thoma Tshoglen
(dance of wrathful deities) and Shawa chaam (stag dance). The dances
symbolize the exorcizing of the evil spirits of the year and the
welcoming of the good spirits of the new year. They also essentially
represent the victory of the good over evil. Men become gods during
the dances and don attires with mystical symbols.
Gyalpo Lossar is known as the Tibetan New Year
and is marked with lots of gaiety and festivity. It falls normally
in the month of February. Chaams or religious dances are held two
days before the Lossar. These Chaams are similar to the one held
during Losoong.
Bumchu is held in the month of January or February. During this
festival, the pot containing the Holy water, which is kept inside
Tashiding monastery, is opened by the lama. The level of the water
in the pot foretells the future for the forthcoming year. If the
water is to the brim, it prophesies bloodshed and disturbances.
If the pot is almost dry it signifies famine and if it is half full,
it foretells a year in which peace and prosperity will prevail.
Bum in fact means pot or vase and chu means water.
A part of the holy water is distributed amongst the gathering of
devotees and the pot is replenished with river water and sealed
at the end of the festival to be opened only in the next Bumchu.
Sikkim is a land of almost unceasing festivity
as reflected by its calendar that is bustling with year round festivals
and festivities. The three ethnic races- the Bhutia, the Lepchas
and the Nepalis- each have their own traditional festivals but celebrate
the festivals of other communities with great gusto as well. This
rich intermingling of cultures is not only a glorious celebration
of their traditional social harmony and bonhomie but also their
general love of celebration.
From awesome masked dances by monks wearing
masks of mythical mountain gods during Pang Lhabsol to the vividness
and colour of Dasain and the sobriety of the Saga Dawa procession
, we have it all, from the most solemn and reflective occasions
to the most boisterous and effusive ones.
JANUARY
Maghe Sankranti Mela: This takes place on 13-15 January on
the first day of Magh. A carnival atmosphere pervades the air as
crowds throng the colourful local 'melas' or fairs held at several
places like Saramsa, Singtam and Jorethang. It is a day of much
gaiety.
FEBRUARY-MARCH
Gutor Chaam at Rumtek Monastery: Performed two days prior
to Losar or the Tibetan New year, this 'Chaam' or religious dance
depicts the battle between good and evil and the ritualised destruction
of evil. The chaam is also held at Enchey and Phodong monasteries.
Losar: Losar is the Tibetan New Year. Tibetans follow the
lunar calendar. There are twelve lunar months in the lunar calendar.
Losar ( lo-year, sar-new)or the Tibetan New Year begins of the first
day of the first month.
On Losar families essentially get together
and feast and make merry.
Bhumchu at Tashiding: The Bhumchu,
which takes place on the 14th and 15th days of the 1st month of
the lunar calendar corresponding to Feb-March, is one of Sikkim's
most intriguing festivals. It centers on the water contained in
the contained in the sacred 'bhumpa' or vase used by Guru Padmasambhava.
It is said that the 11 faced god Chenrizig and several other gods
invoked during the 'Thukze Chenpa Khorwa Laydol' empowerment came
from 33 different echelons of heaven, entered into the bhumpa and
became one with the water inside thereby converting it into ambrosia.
Every year the water in the sacred bhumpa
is measured out into 21 'tings' or cups of equal measure. The level
of water is studied to divine the fortunes of Sikkim for the next
year. Should the water fall short of the desired 21 cups, it portends
natural calamitis, famine and ill luck for Sikkim and remedial measures
are taken by the Ecclesiastical Department. Devotees from Nepal,
Bhutan and the neighbouring hills all come for a taste of the sacred
water which is said to be a panacea and to keep the miseries of
the world at bay.
MAY
Saga Dawa: This Buddhist festival which falls on the 15th
day, full moon of the 4th Tibetan month is the holiest of all Buddhist
festivals. It is the Triple Blessed Festival that celebrates the
birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Lord Buddha. You will witness
the 'pechas' or the Holy Scriptures that are carried in procession
by monks, students and devotes in most of the important monasteries.
Laymen line the roads through which the procession vends its way
and receive the blessings of the pechas.
JULY
Drukpa Tseshi: This commemorates LordBuddha's first teaching
of the Four Noble Truths to his first five disciples in the Saranath
Deer Park. This falls on the 4th day of the 6th month of the lunar
calendar. The main monasteries conduct prayers.
AUGUST
Tendong Lho Rum Faat: On 8th August, the Lepchas worship Mount
Tendong whom they believe saved their race from destruction by a
great flood. While Lepcha 'bongthings' or priests worship Mt. Tendong
in South Sikkim, in Gangtok, the Lepchas take part in daylong literary
and cultural programmes in all their traditional costumes
SEPTEMBER
Pang Lhabsol: Pang Lhabsol is
the festival dance performed in celebration of the Spirit of Khangchendzonga,
who is generally referred to as 'Dzo-nga'. He is believed to be
an emanation of the god Namsey Dungmar or Kuvera with the red spear
('dung'-spear, 'marpo'-red). The Sikkimese people venerate Dzo-nga,
the personification of Mount Khangchendzonga, as the guardian deity
of their land. A red countenanced deity, armed and mounted on a
white Mountain lion, he is invoked as the War Deity of Sikkim and
is propitiated on Pang Lhabsol wherein along with the other deities
of Sikkim, he is called upon to witness the reiteration of the faith
of the people of Sikkim.
Pang Lhabsol falls on the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar
calendar. This festival is unique to Sikkim. You will also see the
spectacular 'Pangtoed' or warrior dance that is unique to Sikkim.
The dance was choreographed by the third Chogyal or king of Sikkim.
It is said that the dance appeared to him in a vision. Earlier this
used to be celebrated at Tsuklakhang, the Royal Chapel at Gangtok
but since its discontinuation there, Ravangla in South Sikkim is
the preferred destination to witness the Pang Lhabsol celebrations.
OCTOBER
Durga Puja/Dasain: This marks the most important and most auspicious
festival of the Nepalese Hindus, held on the first day of the bright
half of the lunar month of Asoj or Kartik of the Bikram Sambat calendar
( Sept-October) to commemorate the victory of good over evil. It
coincides with Dusshera and Durga Puja celebrated in mainstream
India. Goddess Durga is propitiated with sacrifices.
Tyohar, coinciding with Diwali, is
also celebrated soon after Dasain. Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on
the third day of Tyohar. All houses are spruced up to welcome the
Goddess. Tyohar showcases traditional caroling by womenfolk called
'Bhailo' and 'Deusi' by the menfolk. On Bhai Tika, sisters put 'tika'
on their brothers and receive gifts and money in return.
DECEMBER-JANUARY
Detor Chaam at Enchey Monastery: Held on the 28th and 29th days
of the 11th month of the lunar calendar.
Kagyed Chaam at Old Rumtek, Lingdum
and Phodong monasteries on the 28th and 29th days of 10th month
where themes from Buddhist mythologies are enacted and there is
a symbolic burning of the forces of evil.
Losoong: This Bhutia festival, from
1st to 7th days of the 11th month, marks the end of the year and
is a time for epicurean pursuits and much merrymaking. This is the
time farmers are flush with their harvest and archers shoot it out
in archery competitions. Archery is a traditional sport of the Sikkimese.
Families visit each other bearing the traditional
'khapseys' and 'zhetos'.
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