Festivals of Sikkim
The state celebrates many festivals because of admix of various religion and cultures. These Festivals are classified as
Buddhist Festivals:The famous Buddhist festivals that you can witness on your Sikkim tourism are Saga Dawa (the Triple Blessed Festival and is considered as the holiest of the holy Buddhist Festivals), Lhabab Dhuechen (symbolizing the Descent of Buddha from the heaven), Drukpa Tsheshi (o mark the event when Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma ), Phang Lhabsol (popularised by the third Chogyal of Sikkim, Chakdor Namgyal and celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th month around the end of August), Losoong (marks the culmination of harvest season), Losar (the advent of New Year), Bumchu (celebrated at the monastery at Tashiding in the month of January or February), Guru Rimpoche’s Trungkar Tshechu, Kagyed Dance (performed on the 28th and 29th day of the 10th month of the Tibetan Calendar, around December) and KalChakra Puja.
Hindu Festivals: The popular festivals of Hindus are Dasain/ Dusshera/ Durga Puja (usually celebrated in October symbolizing the victory of good over evil), Tihar or Tyohar/ Diwali (celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama, his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana, to their kingdom after 14 years of exile), Saraswati Puja (celebrated in January to honor the Goddess of Knowledge Saraswati), Janamashtami (celebrated in August or September to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna), Vishwakarma Puja (observed on 17th September every year to honour Vishwa Karma – the God of Machines), Maghe Sankranti (Makar Sankranti celebrated in January), Holi (marks the advent of spring season) and Ramnavami /Chaite Dasain (to commemorate birth of Lord Ram).
Other Festivals: Namsoong (an Indigenous festival of Lepchas to welcome the new year which begins from the first day of first month), Sakewa ( festival of the Rai community for Kubera, the God of wealth), Bhanu Jayanti, Tendong Lho-Rum-Faat (a Lepcha thanks giving festival to Tendong Hill), Teyongsi Srijunga Sawan Tognam, Christmas, Tamu Lochar and Nyempa Guzom.
Dance and Music of Sikkim
The communities have their own traditional folk dance forms. The Nepalese, the Lepchas and the Sikkimese have unique folk dances, each different and each amusingly groovy.
Folk Dances of Nepali:
Maruni Dance Maruni: One of the oldest and most popular dances of the Nepalese associated with the festival of Tihar(Tyohar) or Diwali and various ceremonies and occasions.
Tamang Selo: Performed on occasions like marriage ceremony, childbirth and village fairs with the rhythmic sound of the “Damphoo”, a musical instrument.
Dhaan Naach: A projection of rich Nepali cultural heritage.
Dau Ra JaneZo-Mal-Lok: It is performed during the happy ceremonies by the young girls in their traditional and vibrant outfits.
Sebru Naach: It is a narration of the lifestyle of the Sherpas who are very fond of performing arts like dance and songs.
