SIKKIM- LAND OF FESTIVALS AND COLORS

Apsara Palit
Sep 8, 2018 · 4 min read

The true color of India is there in her culture, her festivals and bequests. Punjab’s Baisakhi and Lori, Gujrat’s Navaratri Grava, UP’s Lathmar Holi, Kolkata’s Durga Puja, and Kerala’s Onam. India is bejeweled with all these bravura fiestas.

Sikkim got the flavor of Bengal, Nepal, and Bhutan due to its location. So Sikkim’s carnivals are smeared with the colors of diverse cultures. Festivals in Sikkim are always celebrated with much splendor and show. The festive seasons display the best of Sikkim’s rich ethos and legacy. You will not want to miss the vivacious colors, hypnotic music, dazzling dance, an era long traditions that make each festival apart from the other.

Here is a speedy rundown on the prevalent festivals celebrated around the year in Sikkim...

LOSOONG FESTIVAL- 10th December

This festival denotes the harvesting season and New Year. As per the Tibetan Calendar, the 18th day of the 10th month is the day to start the celebration of Lossong.
As per popular belief, this festival boosts farmers to work hard for the whole year.
Apart from Chham Dance and Archery Competition, burning the idol of Demon, Folk tune, Sikkimese foods and festooned houses are the main pulls of this festival. Chham dance is performed by the Buddhist Monks and observing them dance is believed to be the most reverent experience of all.

INDRA YATRA- 23rd September

The origin of this festival dates back to the mythological eon. The story goes like this, once upon a time Devaraj Indra (King of Gods) trespassed in Kathmandu. He was enchanted by the beauty of Parijaat Flower. He stealthily tried to pluck the flower and became captivated. He is the God of rain and thunder, so as a consequence Kathmandu faced drought. After the revelation of his true identity, people started this festival to impress him.

The origin is related to the culture of Nepal, but Sikkim celebrates it with much pomp. Huge decorated chariots, various musical instruments, and mask-dance is an integral part of this festival. ‘Kumari Yatra’ is another attraction of this festival. For 8 days, the people of Sikkim celebrates this festival.

This kind of festival shows the amalgamation of mythology, culture, and society. And that’s the beauty of India.

LOSAR FESTIVAL- 5th February

Beside Sikkim, this festival is the heart of Ladakh, Arunachal, and many more mountain people. This festival is also related to Tibetan New Year and is celebrated from the 15th century. Special rituals and practices are performed for better harvest, during this festival. Chham dance steals the show of this festival as well.

All the colors of the rainbow bless the whole city during this festival. People get busy buying new outfits, embellishing the edifices and boulevards.

The innocent Yaks joins the ecstatic people of Sikkim during Losar. The dance of Yaks emphasizes the ecstasy of nature in her own pretty way.

DASSAIN FESTIVAL- 19th October

Different cultures of India enriched the way of her celebrations. Bengal’s Durga Puja became Sikkkilm’s Dassain with time. This 15 days long festival is quite similar to Navaratri. The 10th day is celebrated as ‘Bijaya Dasami’.

The festival starts with sowing a pot with Maze or Barley seeds and on the 10th day, the pot with newly grown plants are handed to the youngest member of the family.

It’s like passing the legacy of our culture to the young generation. The Key of future, the blessing of Mother Nature and the inheritance of the age-old tradition makes this festival dissimilar from all others.

Nearby Homestays in Sikkim.

TIHAR FESTIVAL- 7th November

This festival is my personal favorite. Because there are really a very few festivals to show our gratefulness towards the innocent and helpful animals around us. And Tihar is one of those. We human being, capable enough to do anything and often boast of our intellect is, directly and indirectly, depended on these animals. Can we deny that??

This festival starts with worshipping Crows, and known as ‘Kaak Tihar’. The other days are for Bulls, Cows, and Dogs. The last day is similar to “Bhai Doj”.

People celebrate this festival by lighting up lamps just like Diwali. They visit neighbors house and sing Bhailo (for girls) and Deusi Re (for boys) songs.

ENCHEY CHAM-December

People of Sikkim are simple and simple is their definition of life, happiness, and celebration. They know the secret of happiness is there in minimalism. They appreciate the rhythm of life. So they always choose dance to rejoice the beauty called life.

The Lamas of the spiritual sect known as Enchey dances in this festival. Worship is not bound to any set custom, norms, temple, candles…there is no rule to show our devotion. And this festival is an illustration of the purity of piety. So they dance out of devotion, out of love for God.

To get the true essence of a land and its beliefs, one needs to breathe close to the ground. And the lone approach to do so is choosing Homestays to live throughout these festivals. This is the only way to get the slice of their festive life. Try to feel the unseen bliss of sitting on the floor with the family to enjoy the festive feasts….

See…if you really want to experience all the festivals of Sikkim, we have to scout the land for 8-10 time. That’s the exact meaning of wanderlust, a longing that can’t be quenched so easily…it depends on what do you chose to be, an average tourist or a nomadic traveler…

The original Sikkim is there in those festooned huts, melodious tunes, jovial Yaks and silently witnessing Kangchenjunga…

Apsara Palit

Written by

A traveler by choice and blogger by passion. Content developing is allowing me to fly where ever I want. Freelance Travel blogger at bookyourhomestay.com.

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