As per the buddhist calendar the festival of Sikkim is celebrated  with a lot of pump and show. Also popular nepali rock and lepcha music  and in Sikkim western rock music and indian pop have gained a wide following. The citizens of Sikkim indulge in vibrant and lively dances and music throughout all these festivals. Performed by the lamas one of the most fascinating types of musical dance, chaam. A story that never fails to attract attention and admiration are festivals in Sikkim. All her festivals while India celebrates with colourful lights and many sounds in the form of colourful firecrackers and human enthusiasm. Decorates the place with more colourful dance and music. Maghe sankranti, saketa, chasok tangnam  and bhimsen puja are popular traditional local festivals. Among the Buddhist festivals celebrated in Sikkim are losar , saga dawa, lhabab duechen, drupka teshi and bhumchu. Most offices and educational institutions are closed for a week during the losar ( Tibeten new year) and  on the occasion of the end of the harvest season  and end of the tenth month of the Tibetan year in rural Sikkim losoong festival of sikkim is celebrated. Here there are famous festival of Sikkim are

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Famous Festivals of Sikkim

Losoong Festival

Famous festival of Sikkim beginning with the list , in this mesmerizing  indian state in the north east, losoong is one of the most important festivals. Sikkimesse new year is the start of this festival and the major reason why it is celebrated with immense joy and fervor. For the local communities this is also the season of harvesting . With the end of the harvesting season since the festival coincides , the celebration and merriment  is doubled for all the farmers who have worked hard throughout the year.

An opportunity to rejoice and celebrate their harvest providing them it is one of the most significant festivals for the farmers. Many traditional folk dances, rituals and ceremonies have festivals. To gorge upon the detectable sikkimese cuisine this is also an occasion. By the locals with utmost gusto not just, but also this occasion is celebrated by the tourists.

The dates  of the losoong festival of sikkim based on Tibetan lunar calendar are different every year. Which is usually December , it falls on the 18th day of the 10th lunar month. The festival lasts for about 4 days. This was the celebration of the best losoong festival of Sikkim.

Bhumchu

Bhumchu is a festival of Sikkim which means a sacred pot of water. In the entire state of Sikkim which is celebrated with tremendous fanfare. Also celebrated this occasion with all the pomp and show with a specific focus on the ceremonies and rituals like other Sikkim festivals. At tashiding monastery the first day of the festival sees the monks opening the sacred vase of water.  To predict the future and generate forecasts of the impending year this is used. The second day of the festival closure ceremony, from the water of sacred river nearby pot is refilled, which amidst prayer and chant, and it again sealed until to be opened the next year.

The duration of the bhumchu festival of Sikkim, on the 14th day of the first month of Tibetan lunar calendar bhumchu festival is celebrated for two days starting ,  in the months of February and March it falls. 

Losar

The Tibetan word “Losar” which translates in the English language to new year. The Losar festival of Sikkim coincides with the end of harvesting season and it provides all the farmers the much needed relief from all the work and rejoice in their hard work and patience. To a new harvesting season and new year it started to be celebrated as a warm welcome. This occasion is really special for the Tibetan Buddhists who live in this beautiful state. 

The duration of the losar  festival of Sikkim,on the 29th day of the 12th month of Tibetan lunar calendar, is celebrations for the same commence more than a week before , in the mood of festivities and merry-making gripping the entire state. It falls in the month of February and it is also a  famous festival of Sikkim.

Sonam Lhochhar   

Sonam lhochhar is also spelled as sonam lhosar and in this north eastern state in India it is celebrated by the tamang community. This marks the start of the Tibetan new year for the community and  it is celebrated with great fanfare and zeal every time. In their colourful and traditional attires men and women adorned. There are masked men dancing to the rhythmic beats of damphu ( a traditional small round drum) and it is spread elaborate of exotic tamang cuisine. In Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet the festival is also celebrated at a grand level.

The duration of the sonam lhochhar festival of sikkim  commences during madha on shukla pratipada( which is the beginning of the spring season) and it falls in the month of January-February and it is also a famous festival of sikkim.

Saga Dawa

One of the famous festivals of Sikkim is  Saga dawa festival. The occasion celebrates the Lord Buddha's birthday. Sacred for the followers of Mahayana Buddhism and the festival is most significant. For all travellers and culture aficionadas interested in getting a glimpse into vibrant Buddhist culture. Offering a visual treat of various religious ceremonies and street processions, saga dawa provides for a perfect platform.

In monasteries by the Mahayana Buddhists one of the biggest highlights is the lighting of butter lamps. To lord Buddha who is believed to have enlightened their paths in life indicating their obeisance.  

The duration of saga dawa festival in sikkim is held every year on the full moon of the 4th month of Buddhist lunar calendar, it falls in the month end of may and early june timeframe which according to English calendar. During the entire month lighting of butter lamps takes place. This was the  celebration of the saga dawa festival in Sikkim.

Lhabab Duchen

A number of festivals have been celebrated to pay homage to Lord Buddha. To observe the Buddha's descent from trayastrimsa  heaven down to earth, buddhist festival celebrated is lhabab duchen. By the monasteries a major highlight of this holy festival is marked by placing freshly painted ladders on the rocks.

The duration of  lhabab duchen festival of sikkim  is held on the 22nd day of the 9th month of Tibetan lunar calendar and as per the English calendar somewhere around November . the effects of all positive or negative actions committed on this sacred day gets multiplied 10 million times as per Buddhist mythological benefits.

Tendong Lho Rum Faat

One of the most ancient and significant festivals of Sikkim is tendong lho rum faat. By the holy tendong hill, from a great deluge lasting 40 days and 40 nights the celebrations mark the auspicious occasion when ancestors of the lepcha tribe were saved l. The prime venue happens to be at Namchi, in south Sikkim the home to this sacred hill , the festival is celebrated with great fanfare throughout the state. The prime highlight of this beautiful festival is a trek commencing from ravangla up to the tendong hill and  for trekkers  which makes it a great draw  and adventure enthusiasts  too.

The duration of tendong lho rum faat festival is celebrated three days over a span in the 3rd month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. It falls during the month july-august timeframe every year and it is also a famous festival of sikkim.

International Flower and Garden

One of the most famous festivals of Sikkim is the international flower and garden. Orchids, gladioli, roses,cacti, alpine plants, creepers, climbers, ferns, herbs etc are several beautiful species of flowers shown here. The duration of the festival takes place throughout may. Among the tourists as well as the local inhabitants is a primary source of attraction. In the flower exhibition centre the exhibition of flowers takes place which is the centre of attraction of the festival or near the white hall complex gangtok. This was the famous flower festival in Sikkim.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the famous foods in the losoong festival of Sikkim?

The famous foods in the losoong festival of sikkim are kodo ko roti, chaang, phagshapa , kinema curry, chhurpi, sael roti , gundrunk and sinki.

2. What are the major attractions of the international flower festival Sikkim?

Variety of flowers

There are 600 orchid species, 140 gladiolus, 240 distinct ferns and trees and much more to see here. This will definitely give you one of the best experiences with colourful glowing flowers all around you.  

Enhance knowledge on flowers

You can learn about the state of flowers of Sikkim which is the orchid dendrobium nobile and different species of flowers. Renowned botanical scientists organized many seminars  and lectures.

International event

USA , Holland, Australia , New Zealand etc are flower growers from all around the world. Showcase the different varieties of flowers and participate in the festival.

Adventures activities

Apart from enjoying the flower festival one can also experience lots of fun and adrenaline-driving activities. To such experiences the mountainous region is always open.

Food festival

Along with the display of a wide variety of flowers, a food festival is also organized where people can relish the local cuisine.