Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

BY SHITAL PRADHAN Pang Lhabsol is the most unique celebration observed in Sikkim, it is held on the 15th day of the seventh month according to the lunar calendar that usually falls at the end of August or the month of September. The Pang Lhabsol festival or Neassy is celebrated throughout Sikkim. This festival is very unique and worships the snowy peaks of the guardian deity of Sikkim, Mt Khangchendonga. It is observed every year for the protection and to grace the land with good harvest, timely rainfall and to prevent all types of natural calamities. The word Pang Lhabsol means honouring the deities. This festival commemorates the signing of the oath and blood treaty between the Lepcha priest Thekong Tek and Kaye Bhumsa, the ruler of the Kham region of Tibet. This treaty was held at Kabi Longstok, 17 km away from Gangtok in the presence of Mount Khangchendonga. The very spot is marked by a stone amidst the shadows of the dense forest. The Statue of Unity erected near the ...

GANGTOK, August 11: The statue of Guru Rinpoche, maintained by Dodrupchen Rinpoche at Chorten Lhagang was today carried in the Guru Chyendren procession with the chanting of Vajra Guru mantra to mark Guru Rinpoche’s Trungkar Tsechu. Led by the monks blowing ritual instruments and followed by devotees and students, the solemn procession followed the route from Deorali, Metro Point, Zero Point, Dukhi Pan Dokan, Sonam Tshering March, Nam Nang, Deorali and back to Chorten Gonpa. Revered as the patron saint of Sikkim, the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava is observed every year with prayers organized for all sentient beings. The rally was organized by the Sikkim Buddhist Duechen Organization along with other associations. Talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS, Passong ...

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 ex...

FROM Outstanding India   Introduction A sacred pot, Bumchu contains holy water which is blessed by Ngadak Sempa Chenpo after he said the Mane Mantra five billion times. The amount of water in the Bumchu is said to predict the fate of Sikkim for the whole year. If it is seen that the Bumchu is full to the brim it signifies that the year will be a year of revolutions and turmoil. On the other hand if the level of the water is low then the year will be affected by ailments and diseases. However if the Bumchu is half full, then the year will be a prosperous one. It is seen over ages that the holy water has not dried up or has got spoiled in more than 300 years. It still smells fresh.   Description Bumchu Festival attracts thousands of devotees from Nepal, Bhutan, Darjeeling and other neighboring places. It is celebrated at the Tashiding Monastery. During the Bumchu Festival, lamas of the monastery open the Bumchu for the public display which is otherwise locked. ...