GANGTOK, August 08: Tendong Lho Rum Faat, the indigenous festival of the Lepchas was today celebrated with pomp and splendour at the Sikkim Government College auditorium with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as the chief guest here today.
The two-day festival, which commenced from August 7, also saw Bongthings offer prayers in honour of Mount Tendong and also for world peace and prosperity.
Talking about the importance of the festival, Norzang Lepcha, the president of the Tendong Lho Rum Faat Celebration Committee said that the Lepchas worship Mt Tendong as their God. “On the occasion, the Lepchas make a model of the Mountain in the facade of their homes and worship. The mountain is exclusively made of nine stones and the people dance and sing donning mask seeking blessings of the Lord,” he explained.
CT Lepcha, the President of Renjong Mutanchi Rong Tarjum (RMRT) in his address said that a unique age-old ritual like the Rum Faat maintained by the Lepcha forefathers is a matter of great pride. He further said that the present government has been kind to give all the political and social rights to the Lepcha community.
RB Subba, the Chairman of the celebration committee said that the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has given equal importance to all the communities of Sikkim and has been able to maintain communal peace and harmony in the State. He also appealed the Lepchas not to get carried away by any attempts of creating communal disharmony through several issues.
In the meantime, the Tarjum felicitated the Chief Minister for his effort in exempting Central Income Tax for the Sikkim Subject holders.
During the programme, Tashi Tshering Lepcha was conferred with the Tendong Award for his outstanding contribution towards the upliftment of Lepcha culture, literature and tradition. Choda Lepcha received the citation and the award on behalf of his father.
Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association also felicitated Jeffrey Wangjong Lepcha with Mayal Marnew Award for his pro-active role towards the development of Lepcha Youth Association.
Tshering Ongmu Lepcha, a student of Padma Odzer Choeling School was honored with an award for securing highest marks in Lepcha language in class ten board examinations recently.
Lepcha cultural shows were also staged during the programme.
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