14 Famous Sikkim Festivals You Must Attend
We all know that Sikkim has amazing glaciers, variety of flowers and beautiful landscapes, making it a top tourist destination. Did you know that the state is also famous for celebrations? Yes! Sikkim celebrations are an amalgamation of various elements, including the flow of history, many colors and make these events unforgettable. Additionally, the entire celebrations, rituals and activities that take place during these events create a must-see experience while on vacation.
For more information check out the Sikkim celebrations mentioned in this article to help you plan your next trip. Learn more!
Popular Festivals of Sikkim
We all know that Sikkim is an amazing tourist destination and Sikkim celebrations are the best of all. Learn more about the various festivals listed in this article that will allow you to experience the rich tradition and culture of the state.
1. Loser Festival in Sikkim – Tibetan New Year :
Losar festival in Sikkim is one of the most popular festivals in Sikkim. Losar means New Year in English and is a Tibetan word. The festival is a celebration of the hard work and perseverance of the farmers as it comes at the end of the harvest. A combination of crop festival land and local community land. Celebrate with enthusiasm. Losar is of special importance to the Tibetan Buddhists living in this state. Losar festival. Another reason for this festival is that the natives offer a mixture of barley flour and butter baked on their altars at home.
Main attractions: Feast procession along with folk dance and music and cooking of various special meals.
When: February.
Where: Rumtek Monastery and Fodong Monastery.
Festival Duration: Five to 15 days.
2. Losong Festival of Sikkim - Sikkim New Year :
Losing is one of the most important festivals in Sikkim that marks the beginning of the Sikkimese New Year. That is why the festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. It is doubly celebrated as it falls during the harvest season of the communities living there. There is an opportunity to experience many Sikkimese cuisines and traditional ceremonies, rituals and folk dances. People from all over the world visit this region because they are interested in the history and culture of the region. It is believed that the date of Losung Festival is determined according to the Tibetan lunar calendar and changes every year.
Important attraction: Cham dances are performed in monasteries.
When: December.
Where: Fodong and Rumtek Monasteries.
Festival Duration: 4 days.
3. Drukpa Teshi Festival Sikkim :
Drukpa Teshi is another wonderful festival of Sikkim which is celebrated by Buddhists across the state. The festival is celebrated on Thursday, the 4th day of the 6th Tibetan month in August. According to legend, the Buddha gave his first discourse on the sacred truths in the form of the Four Noble Truths to five followers at Sarnath. So, this festival is full of joy. Buddha is believed to be turning the 'Dharma Chakra' for the first time. Every year, a yak race is also held during the celebration.
Important attraction: Yak race.
When: July and August.
Where: Muguthang.
Duration of Festival: One day.
Popular Festivals of Sikkim
4. Saga Dava - Sikkim's Biggest Festival :
One of the most famous festivals in Sikkim is the Saga Dava festival, which celebrates the birthday of Lord Buddha. It is also important for those who adhere to Mahayana Buddhism. This festival will help you understand the basics of Buddhism. On these festival days, Buddhist monks light butter lamps in monasteries. This is believed to be a way for monks to show gratitude in the name of Buddha.
Important attractions: They produce glistening butter lamps which look very attractive.
When: June.
Where: Various types of monasteries.
Duration of Festival: One day
5. Maghe Sankranti - Cultural Festival of Sikkim :
Maghe Sankranti marks the beginning of the warm season in Sikkim and is one of the most famous Sikkimese cultural celebrations. Today it is a traditional practice to take a holy bath at the confluence of the holy rivers Teesta and Rangeet. Jorethang Maghe Mela is one of the biggest fairs that is part of the carnival. A variety of local rituals, traditions and customs are associated with this celebration for spiritual and religious reasons.
Main attraction : Food stand, where you can experience the customs and traditions of the local tradition.
When: January.
Where: Statewide.
Duration of Festival : One day.
6. Sonam Losar - Famous Festival of Sikkim :
Sonam Losar is one of the most popular festivals in Sikkim and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Tamang community. The festival marks the beginning of the Tibetan New Year, and the festivities surrounding the event are celebrated with enthusiasm and fervor by the local community. Masked men rid themselves of negative energy or evil spirits by dancing to the beat of Damfu. Women and men wear traditional clothes and colorful clothes. Exotic tamang dishes are delicious during this period.
Main attraction: masked llamas performing the Damphu dance and Tamang folk songs also known as Tamang Selo.
When: January - February.
Where: Monasteries and homes.
Duration of festival: 5 to fifteen days.
Popular Festivals of Sikkim
7. Chaite Dashain - Ram Navami Festival in Sikkim :
Chaite Dashain is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Sikkim. Lord Rama is worshiped with devotion during this ceremony. Tourists and locals enjoy gatherings and feasts during this celebration. It is possible to plan a trip in March and April for a chance to experience this celebration. Chaite Dashain is one of the most important festivals in Sikkim.
Important attraction: Joyful celebrations are held in temples. Delicious, festive dishes are prepared and served.
When: March or April.
Where: Statewide.
Festival Duration: Two days.
8. Rum Fath Festival in Tendang Sikkim :
One of the longest and most important festivals of Sikkim is Tendang Lho Rum Phath. The festival commemorates Mount Tendang, which was used to protect the ancestors of the local Lepcha tribe from flash floods that lasted for 40 days and 40 nights. While the basic ceremonies and rituals take place in Namchi, grand celebrations take place across the state. The highlight of the festival is taking it up the mountain from Ravangla. Experience the thrill of your trek by planning for a trip during the festival.
Important attraction: The Ravangla mountains awe with breathtaking views and are synonymous with the annual festival fervor.
When: August.
Where: Tendang Hill.
Festival Duration: It lasts for three days.
9. Dussehra - Major Festival of Sikkim :
Dussehra is one of the most important festivals of Sikkim. Hindu Nepali community in Sikkim. The festival is celebrated in October and is celebrated in the same manner as Dussehra is celebrated in other regions. From the first day to the ninth day, Goddess Durga is honored and various rituals are observed. For example, on the 10th day, the elders bless the youth and give them blessings using tika. In addition, elders offer cash or a gift for children as a token of their blessing.
Main attraction: Various forms of Goddess Durga attract people.
When: October.
Where: Statewide.
Festival Duration: It lasts for five days.
10. Diwali in Tihar - Sikkim :
Tihar is a popular Sikkimese festival, also known as Diwali in other parts of the world. A celebration to share stories of the many cultures of the state of Sikkim. The festival lasts for five days and each day during the festival has something special.
For example, crows are revered on the first day, which is thought to be a symbol of sorrow and sadness. On the second day of the celebrations known as Kukkar Tihar, the Doga is honored and given garlands and tilaks. Every day, the most important animals in Hindu mythology are honoured.
Main attraction: Festival of animals is a sight to behold. Crows are worshiped and sweets are offered.
When: October - November.
Where: Statewide.
Festival duration: Five days.
11. Bhunchu Festival in Sikkim :
Bhunchu is a sacred ceremony and the celebrations of the festival can be translated as offering which carries the same symbolism. This festival is celebrated like other Sikkimese celebrations with huge pomp and splendor with rituals and customs being the main focus. Monks from Tashiding Monastery open a jar of holy water on the first day of the ceremony. The vase is used to predict the future and to predict the year. After that, the vessel is again filled with the nearby sacred river and closed to be opened next year in closing ceremonies the day after closing. During this important event it is possible to gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism and its traditions and practices.
Main attraction: Performing auspicious rituals on the first day of the festival.
When: February - March.
Where: Tashiding Monastery.
Festival Duration: Two days.
Popular Festivals of Sikkim
12. Indra Jatra Festival Sikkim :
Indra Jatra is a Sikkimese festival celebrated in the Nepali community of Sikkim. A festival celebrated with great fervor across the state of Sikkim and named after Indra, the Hindu god of rain. Tourists and residents pray for rain showers and blessings of rain in the form of rain during the ceremony. In this festival, you will be able to observe various traditional dance performances that include masks and huge chariot processions.
Main attraction : Huge procession of chariots, classical dance performances.
When: September.
Where: Gangtok.
Festival Duration: It is held for eight days.
13. International Flower Festival :
This international flower festival of Sikkim is celebrated at White Hall, Sikkim, Gangtok starting in May. A vast array of garden items for sale from various parts of India were showcased during the festival, along with the most beautiful floral and landscape talent. The flower festival in Sikkim attracts tourists and locals alike with its attractive and endless variety of flowers. Then, there is a flower show, eat local cuisine and enjoy a food festival.
Main attraction: Display of beautiful flowers, variety of herbal products.
When: May.
Where: Gangtok.
Duration of Festival: One month.
14. Sikkim Paragliding Festival :There are many places in Sikkim that offer paragliding to both locals and tourists. However, you should visit Sikkim for this annual Sikkim Paragliding Festival held in Gangtok in November and October, which offers the ultimate paragliding experience due to its laid-back vibe and warm temperatures. Furthermore, a wide selection of exciting activities will make your trip worth the effort. There are many activities to enjoy. Sikkim Paragliding Adventure Sports Society as well as Paragliding Association of India in association with Sikkim Tourism organizes this event which includes various Indian pilots from around the world. Free rides, tandem flights, spot landings and Arco shows are just some of the major events, as well as a variety of cultural programs that are the highlights of this paragliding celebration.
Main attraction: Views from the valley paragliding.
When: October - November.
Location: East Sikkim near Gangtok.
Festival Duration: Four days
While some festivals go by different names across the country, some Sikkim festivals are unique to the state. Explore the list of Sikkim festivals listed in this article to give you a glimpse into the culture and history of Sikkim. Don't forget to let us know if you found this post helpful!
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