Sikkim Festivals: Indians and tourists from other countries both enjoy taking vacations in Sikkim. Sikkim is well-known for its natural splendour, culture, history, and cuisine, but it is also well-known for its exuberant celebrations. Around this time, the locals have a positive attitude and vibe. You can learn a lot about the magnificent Sikkim festivals as well as the customs, traditions, and events that will add colour and memory to your journey.
Sikkim is regarded as one of the best places to travel because of its stunning landscapes, glaciers, and flowers. Sikkim has a long history and a rich culture. If one can travel to Sikkim at the right moment, one can experience these events.
While you are arranging your trip, you might include the dates of these festivals in your schedule. While on vacation, this is the ideal time to learn about their culture.
Sikkim Festivals: List of Sikkim famous festivals that you must attend
1. Losoong Festival
Losoong is the first on the list of well-known Festivals in Sikkim. a significant Sikkimese celebration because it marks the beginning of the new year. The event is carried out with great fervour and joy. It consists of customary folk dances, ceremonies, and rituals. a reason to chow down on delectable Sikkimese food.
celebrated by both residents and intrepid travellers interested in learning about the state’s culture and the regional traditional rites and folk dances. Dates for the Losoong Festival change every year. Usually occurring in December, the day occurs on the 18th day of the 10th lunar month. It is based on the lunar calendar used in Tibet. Additionally, it is harvest time for the villagers. Added justification for increasing the party size.
The festival is extended for an additional four days by plans for cultural events at monasteries like Rumtek and Tsuklakhang Palace. It is one of Sikkim’s most well-known celebrations. The highlight of this festival is the flavour of the regional cuisines. The Chaam dances at the monasteries are not to be missed.
2. Annual Sikkim Paragliding Festival
One of the best paragliding experiences a person may ever have. You must travel to Sikkim for this during the Gangtok-based annual Sikkim Paragliding Festival. When the weather is favourable in October and November, you can enjoy adventurous activities and have a good time. The area is known for its beautiful valley vistas.
Next Annual Sikkim Paragliding Festival time: Oct 31 to Nov 3, 2022
Highlight: Paragliding
3. Hee Bermiok Festival
Sikkim hosts the Hee Bermiok Festival in the summer. Here, visitors have the ability to closely examine the culture and way of life of the area. This customary celebration showcases the native Sikkim culture and the varieties of rice grown there. Visitors are fed rice wine and regional specialities.
Highlights: Getting to witness the Sikkimese culture up close, the feast
4. Mangan Music Festival
An annual three-day music festival is held in Mangan. You may enjoy the music of bands from all around the area, including other northeast Indian states, here. This Sikkim festival will provide a lifelong memory because of the ideal fusion of hills, music, and chilly weather.
Typically, it is observed throughout the month of December. There is even a display and sale of regional handicrafts. The festival’s atmosphere brightens the day.
Mangan Music Festival time: 12th – 14th December
Highlights: The vibe of the festival, The music of the hills
5. International Flower and Garden Festival
One of Sikkim’s most well-known festivals is the International Flower & Garden Festival. It starts in Gangtok’s White Hall in the month of May. The occasion features some of the top floral and landscape artists as well as a substantial collection of garden retail goods from various parts of India.
The International Flower and Garden Festival time: In the month of May
Highlights: The beautiful landscape with colourful flowers, The collection of herbal products
6. Sikkim Summer Festival
The Sikkim Summer Festival is a one-month event. It features amusing cultural performances, Teesta whitewater rafting, regional cuisine festivals, Sikkimese folk dances, screenings of travel-related films, exhibitions of regional handicrafts, and lovely floral displays.
Highlights: The water sports and cultural shows, the films on Sikkim tourism
7. Bhumchu
The word “bhumchu” refers to a holy water reliquary. The rituals and rites of the occasion make it real. The community lavishly celebrates this event. The holy pot of water is unlocked by the monks at Tashiding Monastery on the first day of the festival. This is used to foresee the future and produce projections for the following year.
The pot is refilled with water from the neighbouring, sacred river at the closing ceremony on the second day. After that, it is sealed and stored till the next year. It’s the ideal time for travellers to learn in-depth about Buddhism and its traditions and ceremonies. One of Sikkim 2022’s most fervent festivities is this one.
Next Bhumchu festival Sikkim time: March 2023
Highlights: The holy rituals, the first day of the festival
8. Saga Dawa
One of Sikkim’s most well-known festivities is Saga Dawa. For individuals who practise Mahayana Buddhism, the day dedicated to celebrating the birth of Lord Buddha is wonderful. By attending this event, you can learn more about Buddhism’s fundamental tenets. Sikkim brings this celebration to you.
The Mahayana Buddhist monks in the monasteries light shimmering butter lamps during the festival days. By doing this, they honour and love Lord Buddha, who is thought to have illuminated their pathways in life. It is regarded as one of Sikkim’s top festivals for families in 2022.
Saga Dawa Festival timing: In the month of June
Highlights: Chance to understand the basic philosophies of Lord Buddha, the light butter lamps created by the monks
9. Sonam Lhochhar Festival
One of Sikkim’s most well-known festivities in 2022 is the Sonam Lhochhar Festival. It can also be written by Sonam Lhosar. The celebration, which the Tamang people of Sikkim, India, celebrate, ushers in the Tibetan New Year. The celebrations are buzzing with excitement as the ceremonies are carried out with tremendous fervour.
The locals dress in their vibrant traditional attire. Men in masks do the dance to the rhythmic beats of the Damphu, a traditional tiny round drum, in an effort to expel all evil spirits and negative energy.
The very exquisite Tamang cuisine is offered during this period, and you can enjoy the Tamang folk melodies, also known as “Tamang Selo.” Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet also observe this Sikkim holiday.
Sonam Lhochhar Festival timing: Onsets on 2nd February
Highlights: The Damphu dance executed by masked lamas, Tamang Folk songs also called ‘Tamang Selo’
10. Indra Jatra Festival Sikkim
The Nepalese community in Sikkim observes the occasion. One interesting fact is that the celebration is named after the Hindu rain god Indra. God’s blessing of rain in the form of rain or showers is something that one can ask for. The entire state organises a large celebration that features chariot processions, classical dance performances, the wearing of masks, and many other activities. Try to avoid missing this Sikkim event, which is one of the nicest ones.
Why is Indra Jatra celebrated?
The celebration honours the day when Indra descended from heaven in human form to search for a herb. During Indra Jatra, oil wicks are used to illuminate the shrines and historic palace structures near Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Indrajatra Festival timing: September 9, 2022
Highlights: The classical dance performances, and the massive chariot processions.
11. Pang Lhabsol
One of the most well-known festivals in Sikkim is Pang Lhabsol. The festival honours intercommunity cooperation. The guardian deity of Sikkim, Mt. Kanchenjunga, is regarded as having been responsible for preserving the essence of this magnificent state.
The celebration is lively and includes carnivals, dancing performances, llama warrior dances, and delectable Sikkimese food. To experience the festivities in Sikkim and make them more unforgettable, tourists must go here and organise their trip carefully.
Pang Lhabsol timing: September 10, 2022
Highlights: The vibrant celebration, and dance of the lamas
12. Tihar – Diwali in Sikkim
The Sikkimese people observe Tihar like the Diwali celebration. The people of this stunning location will tell you many strange tales. Every day of this five-day festival has its own unique focus. This Sikkim celebration is distinct from the others in that it involves animal worship.
Crows are adored on the first day because they represent sadness. Dogs are worshipped on the second day of Kukkar Tihar and are given garlands and tilaks. This Sikkim festival honours some of the most significant animals in Hindu mythology on each of its five days. You must undoubtedly attend this renowned Sikkim festival.
Tihar festival in Sikkim: October 22 – 27, 2022
Highlights: The worshipping of animals, the mythical stories from the locals
13. Tendong Lho Rum Faat Festival Sikkim
A very long time has passed since the last Tendong Lho Rum Faat celebration. The celebration of the day when Tendong Hill rescued the local Lepcha tribe’s forefathers from a severe flood that lasted for 40 days and 40 nights is one of the most significant in Sikkim. The state-wide celebrations are magnificent, with the primary events and rites taking place in Namchi. Southern Sikkim is the location of this holy hill.
The finest part of the celebration is a journey from Ravangla to this hill. Sikkim has the ideal vacation destination. This festival’s trip is truly breathtaking. The Ravangla mountains’ breathtaking sights will never be forgotten. So take advantage of the chance to attend the festival.
- Key Attraction: The Ravangla mountains have stunning views, and the festival is associated with adventure.
- When: August 8, 2022
- Where: Tendong Hill.
- Duration of Festival: Three days.
14. Chaite Dashain – Ramnavami Festival in Sikkim
The Sikkim festival of Chaite Dashain is regarded as one of the most significant. This is often referred to as Small Dashain. The day prior, Ram Navami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, is observed. The best time to travel to take part in this festival is from March to April. Additionally, people get to gather together and partake in celebratory feasts at the same time. One of Sikkim’s most significant religious celebrations in 2022.
- Key Attraction: The joyous celebration is observed in all the temples. Delicious festive meals are cooked and served.
- When: March or April.
- Where: All over the state.
- Duration of Festival: Two days.
15. Losar festival Sikkim
The most popular festival in Sikkim in 2022 is Losar. The locals find it to be very popular. The Tibetan name for the New Year is Losar. It coincides with the season’s conclusion for harvesting. The farmers honour their perseverance and hard labour. Festivals in Sikkim focus mostly on local communities, harvest, and land. The Tibetan Buddhists who live in this beautiful state celebrate this event with the same fervour and devotion.
Making a mixture of roasted barley flour and butter and offering it on personal altars is an essential part of the ceremony. People fervently hope for a plentiful crop in the upcoming New Year.
Losar Festival Sikkim: 3rd March 2022
Highlights: The food offering ritual, the energetic celebrations
Where Sikkim is located?
Gangtok is the capital and largest city in Sikkim. Khangchendzonga National Park is located within the state and spans over 35% of it. Sikkim, a long-established independent political entity, was made an Indian protectorate in 1950 and a state in 1975.
