Here are some top 12 best events in Sikkim to explore the city –

1. Losoong Festival

Lasoong Festival is one of the most famous festivals in the mesmerizing northeastern part of India. It is celebrated as the start of Sikkimese New Year and is also the season for harvesting. It is celebrated by several folk songs, folk dances, ceremonies and rituals which attracts a lot of tourists as well as local people and several cultural programmes are held at the famous monasteries like Tsuklakhang Palace and Rumtek in between 8-12 in the month of December.

2. Sonam Lhochhar Festival

Sonal Lhochhar Festival is one of the most prominent festivals of northeast India which is celebrated as the beginning of Tibetian New Year for Tamang community. To celebrate this festival with full of zeal and fanfare, men and women wear colourful and traditional clothes and perform the rituals. People wear masks and dance to the rhythm of drums. The exotic and delicious Tamang cuisine is served to the people which is a real treat to Sikkimese people as well as visitors. It is celebrated in Sikkim as well as in Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet in the month of February.

3. Losar

Losar is also a famous festival of Sikkim celebrated for the hard work and patience of the farmers. Most of the Sikkimese festivals are celebrated on the basis of land, local communities and harvesting and Losar are one of them celebrating New Year and the Harvesting Season. In this festival, people pray for a good harvest and unique rituals like the making of a mixture of butter and roasted barley flour is performed. It is celebrated in the month of February.

4. Bhumchu

Bhumchu is celebrated among northeastern people of India with several ceremonies and rituals. Bhumchu means a sacred pot of water. In this festival on the first day is the opening ceremony where monks of Tashiding Monastery open the pot and predict the future of the upcoming year. The next day, during the closure ceremony, the monks refill the pot with water which is brought from the sacred river and the pot is closed till the next year. This festival showcases the rituals and customs of Buddhism and is a perfect occasion for tourists to witness the traditions.

5. Ram Navami

Also known as Small Dashain, Ram Navami is celebrated as the occasion of the birth of Lord Rama. It is one of the important festivals in Sikkim as well as all over the country and is considered as the perfect time for family get together and having delicious festive meals with friends and family. People plan a vacation during this time in the month of March and April to enjoy and celebrate this prominent festival.

6. Saga Dawa

Saga Dawa is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Buddha. People who want to know the customs and traditions and want to understand the philosophies of Buddhism attend this festival to witness everything about this festival from close. During this festival, the monks light butter lamps in monasteries and show their obeisance to Lord Buddha. It is one of the most prominent festivals to visit with your friends and family to witness the tradition of Buddhism culture.

7. Tendong Lho Rum Faat

It is the most significant and ancient festival of Sikkimese people celebrated by Lepcha tribe people as it is considered that ancestors of Lepcha tribe were saved by Tendong Hill during the flood which lasted for 40 days. A grand festival is organised in the entire state of Sikkim and rituals and ceremonies are performed. The main attention of this festival is the trek from Ravangla to Tendong hill which is a unique experience and visited by a lot of local as well as tourists to induce some adrenaline rush.

8. Indrajatra Festival

This festival is celebrated by Nepalese community for the God of rain called Indra. It is celebrated to pay respects to Lord Indra and seek his blessings in the form of rain and showers for their crops and the environment. People wear masks and perform a classical dance. Huge chariot processions are held with pomp and show to please the deity.

9. Pang Lhabsol

Pang Lhabsol is celebrated to pay respects to the guardian deity of Sikkim known as Mt. Kanchenjunga. It is believed that Mt. Kanchenjunga protects this beautiful state and thus this vibrant occasion is celebrated with dance performances, carnivals, warrior dances performed by llamas and with mouth-watering delicious Sikkimese cuisine. It is one of the most preferred festivals to visit during your trip to Sikkim to witness the culture and tradition of the northeastern people.

10. Tihar

Tihar is one of the famous festivals of Sikkim celebrated that of Diwali under the name of Tihar. This amazing festival is celebrated for 5 days and each day has something special on its own. On the first day, the crows are worshipped. After that on the second day known as Kukkar Tibar, dogs are worshipped and likewise, other three days other significant animals in Hindu mythology are worshipped.

11. Annual Sikkim Paragliding Festival

This festival is the best occasion for tourists as well as local people to explore the paragliding experience in Sikkim. It helps in Gangtok in October and November. People enjoy this unforgettable time and have an adrenaline rush experience during the fun activities of this festival. People must visit this event to have immense pleasure in this extraordinary experience.

12. Mangan Music Festival

Mangan Music Festival is an event held for 3 days to cherish the musical culture of Sikkim. It is held in Mangan where several bands from all over the region and other several northeastern states of India visit and perform in this place. The combination of music, hills and chilly weather makes is a perfect destination to experience an unforgettable event with your friends and family. An exhibition and sale of local handicrafts also take place in this event for people who love art and culture to get a memory of this beautiful place in the form of handicrafts.

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