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INDIA: Himalaya: Ladakh & Kashmir
INDIA: Himalaya: Sikkim
Festival Calendar
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The festivals and holidays in Sikkim depend in Buddhist tradition mostly on the lunar cycle. Particularly interesting to visit is the festival "Bumchu" where happiness is predicted for the coming year. Important events in the Buddha's life are celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth month, this day is considered as thrice blessed, and ceremonies are held everywhere. Every year on August 8, the natives of Sikkim celebrate the festival "Tendong Lho rum Faat" and thank the mountain Tendong for the salvation of the people during the great flood. End of August / beginning of September then the Buddhists honor their sacred mountain, Mt. Kanchenjunga.
| Name/Brief description | DATE* | |
|---|---|---|
| Western calendar | Tibetan calendar | |
| LOSAR / TIBETAN NEW YEARThe Tibetan New Years Day is celebrated at home. | 05.02.2019 | 1st day of the 1st month |
| Holy days with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 1st to 15th dayof the 1st month | |
| BUMCHU Ceremonies & blessings at the Tashiding monastery. The ceremony begins in the full moon night. "Bumchu" is holy water, which is kept throughout the year in a vessel. The level of the water predicts about the happiness in the coming year. It is opened by the lamas of the monastery every year during the Bumch ceremony and interpreted. A part of water is being distributed amongst the assembled faithful. After the ceremony, the vessel is filled up with water and sealed until the following year. |
Start 19.03.2019 End 20.03.2019 |
15th dayof the 1st month |
| Holy day "Namgang" with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 1st month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 2nd month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15. Tag des 2. Monats | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 2nd month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th day of the 3rd month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15th day of the 3rd month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th day of the 3rd month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th – 15th day of the 4th month | |
| SAGA DAWA DUECHEN On this day occurred in different years important events in the life of the Buddha: birth, enlightenment, unification in Nirvana. That is why this day is considered "thrice blessed". |
17.06.2019 | 15th day of the 4th month |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th day of the 4th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 5th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15th dayof the 5th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 5th month | |
| DRUKPA TSHESHI / TSHECHU After the Buddha's enlightenment, he held back several weeks for the time being. Encouraged by Indra and Brahma, he eventually taught the four noble truths in Sarnath to his first five disciples. Ceremonies are taking place in all the monasteries. In Muguthang, in the extreme north, traditional horse races take place. |
04.08.2019 | 4th dayof the 6th month |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 6th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15th dayof the 6th month | |
| GURU RIMPOCHE THRUNGHAR TSHECHU CHAAM Birthday of Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Spectacular "Black Hat" Dances in honor of the birthday of the Guru, which is in accordance with the Tibetan Buddhism the reincarnation of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. Ceremonies in all the monasteries. In Gangtok procession with Padmasambhava statue and holy scriptures from the royal monastery Tshuklakhang through Gangtok. Evening dramas and concerts on the life of Guru Padmasambhava. |
10.08.2019 | 26th dayof the 6th month |
| TENDONG LHO RUM FAAT Thanksgiving festival of the Lepchas in honor of the mountain Tendong. According to the legend, this mountain is said to have saved people when the earth was flooded. Bongthings perform shamanistic ceremonies. Ceremonies on Tendung, at Kabi Longchok and in Gangtok. |
08.08.2019 08.08.2020 08.08.2021 |
Every year on August 8th |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 6th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 7th month | |
| PANG LHABSOL This festival is unique in Sikkim and was introduced by the third king of Sikkim. The protecting god mt. Khangchedzonga is revered for his unifying forces. Singing & folk dance in Gangtok. One week before, prayers for wealth and peace by the Lamas of Pemayangtse at the royal monastery Chuklakhang, Gangtok. Mask dances and ceremonies in the monasteries Tshuklakhang, Pemayangtse, Ralang; Ceremonies in the monasteries Rabong, Phodong and in Tashiding. |
13.09.2019 | 15th dayof the 7th month |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 7th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 8th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15th dayof the 8th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 8th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 9th month | |
| DASAIN / DASHIN / DURGA PUJA Hindus give homage to the supreme goddess Durga. Family members receive a "Tika" (a mark with red powder) on the forehead. Display of the Goddess Durga in Hindu temples. |
07.10.2019 - 11.11.2019 | Hindu calendar:10th day of the month of Ashwin |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15th dayof the 9th month | |
| LHABAB DUECHEN Symbolizes the return of the Buddha from the kingdom of the 33 gods. Sikkimese celebrate the anniversary of the brotherhood between the Lepchas and the Bhutias with ceremonies at Kabi Longchok. Ceremonies in all the monasteries. No mask dances. |
19.11.2019 | 22nd dayof the 9th month |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 9th month | |
| DIWALI / LAXMI PUJA / TIHAR - 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 firecrackers; evenings there are fireworks. | 28.10.2019 - 30.10.2019 | Hindu calendar: 3 weeks after Dasain in the month of Kartik |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 10th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15th dayof the 10th month | |
| KAGYED CHAMS / BLACK HAT DANCE Being celebrated is the destruction of evil by the burning of effigies / sculptures. A new and promising year is being invited. Masked dances in the monasteries Lingdum (Ranka), old Rumtek, Enchey, Ralang, Tashiding, Pemayangtse and Phodong. Ceremonies and festivals of the Lepchas on Tendong Hill, in Nampik (Dzongu) and at the confluence of Tista & Rangit. |
25.12.2019 | 29th dayof the 10th month |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 10th month | |
| LOSOONG / SONAM LOSAR Marks the end of the harvest season and the Tibetan year. It is the New Year celebration of agriculture. Mask dances in the monasteries Tshuklakhang, Phodong and Rumtek. Archery, family gatherings and other festivities. |
27.12. - 31.12.2019 | 1st - 5th dayof the 11th month |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 11th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15th dayof the 11th month | |
| NYNGMA GUTOR CHAAM: MASKENTANZ / LAMATANZ "Gutor" is "house cleaning day" according to Tibetan and Sikkim custom: The negativity is being expelled, good influences are invited to welcome the New Year. Dances symbolize the expulsion of the evil spirit and invite the good spirits into into the New Year. Essentially, the victory of good over evil is being symbolized. Mask dances in the Nyngma monasteries Enchey, Tshuklakhang Labrang and the old monastery Rumtek |
28th - 29th day of the 11th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 11th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 8th dayof the 12th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 15th dayof the 12th month | |
| Holy day with ceremonies in Buddhist monasteries | 30th dayof the 12th month | |
| GUTOR DRAKMAR CHAAM: MASKENTANZ / LAMATANZ Spectacular Mask dances welcome the Tibetan New Year Festival. Mask dances in Rumtek and Pemayangtse.On the first day mask dances are taking place; followed on the second day by the main Lama dance guru Drakmar Cham and Pangtoed's Zonkor (song of victory); on the last day a gigantic thangka (holy picture) made from textiles is shown at the Pemayangtse Monastery (Tamar Chaam). |
25.01.2020 | 27th - 29th day of the 12th month |
| *All information without guarantee | ||
Tags: sikkim travel, himalayas, northeast india, buddhist monasteries, trekking, hiking, village tour