Festivals of Sikkim
Festival calendar of Sikkim
In Buddhist tradition, the festivals and holidays in Sikkim are mainly based on the lunar cycle. The “Bumchu” festival, which predicts good fortune in the coming year, is particularly interesting to visit. Important events in the life of Buddha are celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth month, the day is considered to be three times blessed and ceremonies are held everywhere. Every year on August 8, the indigenous people of Sikkim celebrate the “Tendong Lho rum faat” festival and thank Mount Tendong for saving their people during the great flood. At the end of August/beginning of September, the Buddhists honour their sacred mountain, Mt Kanchenjunga.
FESTIVAL | DATE* | |
Western calendar (Gregorian) | Tibetan calendar*
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Buddhist Auspicious Day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15th day of the 11th month | |
LACHEN CHAM Mask dances are performed at Lachen monastery. | 18th and 19th day of the 11th month | |
Buddhist Auspicious Day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30th day of the 11th month | |
LOSOONG / SONAM LOSAR Mask dances (Cham) are held at monasteries in Gangtok (Tshuklakhang), Phodong and Rumtek. The dances symbolize victory of good over the evil spirits. Archery competitions also take place amidst feasting and merry making. | Main day: | 1st day of the 12th month |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8th day of the 12th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15th day of the 12th month | |
GUTOR CHAM RUMTEK & PEMAYANGTSE “Gutor” is “house cleaning day” according to Tibetan and Sikkim custom: The negativity is expelled and good influences are invited to welcome the New Year. Dances symbolize the expulsion of the evil spirit and invite the good spirits into the New Year. Essentially, the victory of good over evil is being symbolized. Spectacular mask-dances (Chaams) are held in monasteries of Rumtek and Pemayangtse.. At Pemayangtse the festival is referred to as “Drag-Dmar Chaam”. Pilgrims visit to witness mask-dances performed during the fist two days. On the last day, a giant embroidered Buddha-scroll (Thankga) is displayed. Fireworks to drive away eveil spirits conclude the function. | contact us for the date of the current year Rumtek Cham: | 28th – 29th day of the 12th month |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30th day of the 12th month | |
LOSAR / TIBETAN NEW YEAR The Tibetan New Years Day is celebrated at home. | 1st day of the 1st month | |
Buddhist auspicious days – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 1st to 15th day of the 1st month | |
BUMCHU Ceremonies & blessings at the Tashiding monastery in West-Sikkim. The ceremony begins in the full moonnight. “Bumchu” is holy water that is kept throughout the year in a vessel. The level and condition of the water predicts about happiness in the coming year. It is opened by the lamas of the monastery every year during the Bumchu ceremony and interpreted. Part of water is being distributed amongst the assembled faithful. After the ceremony, the vessel is filled up with water and sealed up until the following year. | 15th day of the 1st month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30 th day of the 1st month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8 th day of the 2nd month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15th day of the 2nd month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30 th day of the 2 nd month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8 th day of the 3 rd month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15 th day of the 3 rd month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30 th day of the 3 rd month | |
Buddhist auspicious days – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed by the monchs in monasteries It is considered especially powerful during this time to perform wholesome deeds such as generosity (Dana), virtue (Sila) and meditation (Bhavana) | 8 th – 15 th day of the 5th month | |
SAGA DAWA DUECHEN – TRIPLE AUSPICIOUS DAY | 15th day of the 5th month | |
DRUKPA TSHESHI / TSHECHU | 09.07.2024 | 4th day of the 6th month |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8th day of the 6th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15th day of the 6th month | |
GURU RIMPOCHE THRUNGHAR TSHECHU CHAAM Ceremonies take place in all the monasteries of Sikkim. In Gangtok a procession with display of a statue of Guru Padmasambhava and holy scriptures takes place, from the royal monastery Tshuklakhang throughout Gangtok. In the evening dramas and concerts on the life of Guru Padmasambhava are performed. | 16.07.2024 | 10th day of the 6th month |
TENDONG LHO RUM FAAT | Yearly on August 8th | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30th day of the 6th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8th day of the 7th month | |
PANG LHABSOL – OFFERING TO ALL PROTECTORS | 18.09.2024 | 15th day of the 7th month |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30th day of the 7th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8th day of the 8th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15th day of the 8th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30th day of the 8th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8th day of the 9th month | |
DASAIN / DASHIN / DURGA PUJA | 14.10.- 18.10.2024 | Hindu calendar: 10th day of the month of Ashwin |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15th day of the 9th month | |
LHABAB DUECHEN – BUDDHA’S RETURN FROM DEVA-LAND | 22.11.2024 | 22nd day of the 9th month |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30th day of the 9th month | |
DIWALI / LAXMI PUJA / TIHAR – HINDU FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Hindus decorate their homes with oil-lamps in order to welcome Laxmi, the goddess of wealth into their homes. Display of the goddess Laxmi in Hindu temples; children have fun with fire crackers; at night display of lots of fireworks. | 01.11- 03.11.2024 | Hindu calendar: 3 weeks after Dasain in the month of Kartik |
Paragliding Festival– just nearby Bamboo Retreat Hotel in Ranka | Best time is Sep to December. | Couldn’t get any response for Paragliding festival .
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Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8th day of the 10th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15th day of the 10th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 30th day of the 10th month | |
KAGYED CHAMS / BLACK HAT DANCE AT RUMTEK MONASTERY | 29.12.2024 | 28th& 29th day of the 10th month. Main day is on the 29th day. |
NYNGMA GUTOR CHAAM / NYEMPA GUZOM This festival is celebrated within the Monasteries of Sikkim. Common people visit and offer gifts of fruits, sweets and even donations and pray for the goodwill of their family and beloved ones. | 6th – 7th day of the 11th month | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 8th day of the 11th month | |
Loosong Namsoong Festival | 31.12- 04.01.2024 | |
Buddhist auspicious day – ceremonies (Pujas) are performed in monasteries | 15th day of the 11th month | |
*All information without guarantee / Tibetan Calendar number of months per Gregorian calendar year vary between 12 – 13. |