10 Famous Festivals of Sikkim That are Totally Worth Experiencing
The paradise in Northeast India, Sikkim is small but beautiful - a place of natural wonders, cultural vibrancy, and a hearty lifestyle. The serenading landscapes, heartwarming hospitality, and vibrant festivals have been a significant part of Sikkim Tourism.
The festivals of Sikkim are a unique concoction of history and culture. Aka, the last Himalayan Shangri La, Sikkim brims with pleasant vibes and festive spirits all through the year. And this indeed allures tourists from around the globe.
With a plethora of festivals, there are quite a few that are totally worth exploring while you plan an escapade to paradise.
10 Festivals of Sikkim That You Shouldn't Miss In 2021
Right from celebrating cultural festivals in full flair, folks of Sikkim stay enthusiastic whilst celebrating music, art, nature, adventure, and all that is necessary to put across the kaleidoscope of diversity that is an example in the world. Here’s a list of 10 Colorful festivals of Sikkim, I hope these excite you too. Take a dekko:
1. Losoong Festival
Losoong is the new year festival of Sikkim. Losoong Festival is the harbinger of the new year and new beginnings. It is a 4-day festival that is celebrated from the 18th day of the 10th lunar month that usually falls during the month of December. Various monasteries in Sikkim such as Rumtek and Tsuklakhang Palace organize cultural events that are a spectacle of traditional rituals and folk dances. At the time when locals and visitors take part in various ceremonies and gorge on the delectable cuisines of Sikkim, the festival takes on to another level of enjoyment and merrymaking. Losoong is definitely worth experiencing.
Highlights of Losoong Festival - The Cham dances at the monasteries
2. Losar Festival
Losar is the Famous Festival of Sikkim. Losar Festival holds special significance to the Tibetan Buddhists and local communities of the northeastern state. Losar is celebrated to mark the new harvesting season and new year. During this festival of Sikkim, Cham mask dance is performed by the lamas in monasteries, and buckets of Tsampa (a mixture made with roasted barley flour and butter) are offered at the altars of the home so as to bring prosperity by bounty harvest in the following year. People from all over the world visit Sikkim in the month of February to witness the cultural vibrance during this festival when every corner of the street is adorned with beautiful decorations.
Highlights of Losar Festival - Rituals and Yak dance performances on the streets
3. Bhumchu Festival
Observed on the 14th and 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan lunar calendar that falls in the month of February or March, Bhumchu Festival is celebrated with utmost faith and great enthusiasm at Tashiding Monastery in Sikkim.
Tashiding Monastery is one of the significant places to visit in Sikkim as it is the monastery where the Vase Opening Ceremony takes place which is the major highlight of the Bhumchu festival. This ceremony holds immense significance as the lamas predict the future of the impending year by looking at the water level in the sacred pot. It's a two-day festival that is attended by a large number of tourists who wish to delve into the cultural ethnicity of the state.
Highlights of Bhumchu Festival - The sacred pot ceremony