Fair and Festivals of Sikkim

Sikkim's is quite famous for its well-known mask dances as they provide a spectacular scene, perhaps nowhere to be experienced in the entire world. Performed by lamas in the gompa courtyard to celebrate religious festivals, these dances demonstrate perfect foot work and grace. Costumed lamas with gaily painted masks, ceremonial swords and sparkling jewels, leap and swing to the rhythm of resounding drums, trumpeting of horns and chanting of monks.

Belief:

Kanchanjunga is about 40 km from Gangtok and is the most unifying force in the myth and identity of the state. Khang-chen-dzod-nga stands for the five treasures represented by five summits of this gigantic mountain. The natural environment in which the Sikkimese live have made them to revere, fear and worship this mountain. They believe that their prosperity even their lives depend on the good humor of the deity, for he has the power to destroy human habitations with devastating floods and avalanches, wash away their bridges and ruin their crops by sending terrible hail storms down the valleys.

Festivals:

• The two day festival of dance performed during the worship of snowy range of Kanchanjunga (Khang-chen-dzod-nga) is a dance peculiar to Sikkim alone. It is celebrated in September. The third Chogyal of Sikkim, Chador Namgyal introduced this dance. Esoteric masks, flashing silks, opulent brocades and embroidered boots are the costumes of the dancers. The dancers are all male. In this warrior Dance the warlike pomp and panoply, the war deity resplendent the flaming robes, the fantastic Snow lion, comprise the essence of the dance. This mask dance is termed as Singhi Dance i.e. Lion Dance by Nepalese. They visualize the ferocious god of Kanchenjunga riding over a lion and hence call this dance as Singhi Dance.
• On Lossoong, the Sikkimese New Year Day, Black Hat Dance demonstrating the triumph of good over evil is demonstrated. This masked dance is also performed by male dancers mostly the Lamas. The dance revives the old story which narrates that about twelve centuries ago King Land-Darma was slain for suppressing Buddhism in Tibet. The king was slain by a Lama wearing a fantastic black robe lined with white and riding a white horse blackened with soot.
• Saga Dawa is a very suspicious day for the Mahayana Buddhists. On this day people go to monasteries to offer butter lamps and worship. A huge procession of monks goes around Gangtok with Holy Scriptures.
• Phang Lhabsol is a festival unique to Sikkim. It is celebrated to offer thanks to Mount Khanchendzonga, the guardian deity of Sikkim and to Yabdu, the supreme commander.
• Kagyat Dance is performed every 28th and 29th day of the Tibetan Calendar. The solemn nature of the dance is interspersed with comic relief provided by the jesters.
• Dasain The biggest and most important festival of the Hindu Nepali population is celebrated in September-October. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Dipavali, the festival of lights is celebrated 10 years after Dasain.

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