Festivals of Sikkim
Sikkim, a small state located in northeast India is surrounded by Nepal, China, and Bhutan. It is the least populous state of India and is still culturally diverse. Saga Dawa is the most widely celebrated festival in Sikkim. It is a significant day for the Mahayana Buddhists as it celebrates the three most important phases of Gautama Buddha – his birth, his enlightenment, and his attaining nirvana. This triple celebration is observed on the full moon of the fourth month of the lunar calendar of the Buddhists. The day is celebrated with people paying a visit to the Buddhist monasteries and offering lamps of butter to show their devotion and offer their prayers.
Another major festival is the Phang Lhabsol, the celebration of nature. The festival and all its celebrations are surrounding the third highest peak in the world, the Kanchenjunga. In addition to celebrating the peak, this festival also honors the treaty signed by Bhutias and Lepchas where all the local deities were welcomed to witness this occasion. Some other Sikkimese festivals include Losoong, Losar, or the Tibetan New Year, international flower festivals, etc. This state is a small yet naturally and culturally rich region.
Dates of festivals that follow the lunar calendar can shift by a day depending on the moon and on official notifications. Please confirm with your state government or employer before planning.