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

Guru Tshen Gye Dance by the Eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche The eight aspects under which Guru Rinpoche manifested himself on various occasions appear in a procession with the principal aspect of Guru Rinpoche shaded by a parasol. Certain other aspects are accompanied by their retinues and small celestial beings.In order of appearance, they are : Dorji Drolo - Liberated Diamond - Thunderbolt Tshokye Dorji - Diamond-Thunderbolt Born from a Lake Loden Chogse - He who Wishes to Acquire Supreme Knowledge Padmasambhava - Born of the Lotus Flower Guru Rinpoche - Most Precious Master Shakya Sengye - Lion of the Shakya Family Pema Gyelpo - Lotus-King Nima Yoezer - Sun-Beam Sengye Drathok - He with the Voice of a Lion Guru Rinpoche seats under a silk canopy wearing a golden mask surrounded by attendent fairies in white masks. Photos by: Prabin Gurung, Rinchenpong,West Sikkim Information: happyholidays.com

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, June 10:   The exquisite documentary film “Lama Dances of Sikkim” on Sikkimese Buddhism has bagged the Special Jury Award in the non-feature category today, the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting announced in New Delhi.  The film, directed by renowned documentary maker Manas Bhowmik and researched and scripted by former editor of the erstwhile Weekend Review¸, Sujit Chakraborty, has been given the Special Jury award for all documentaries made in the country in 2006. Yishey D, currently working with SIKKIM EXPRESS, was the assistant researcher in the award-winning documentary film.  The producer, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, now headed by Anuradha Mookerjee, who herself commissioned the film, and the director, Bhowmik, will receive Rs 50,000 each as a cash reward. The film was shot entirely in Sikkim on a paltry budget of less than Rs four lakh and covers three dances: the Pang Lhabsol, the original Sikkimese dance festival to honor Mount Khangchen...