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Saraswati-Puja
This festival falls in the month of January and honors
the Hindu Goddess of knowledge "Saraswati". School
children place their study books in front of the statue
and seek blessings for doing well in their studies.
Magh-Sakranti
This festival takes place in mid January and marks the
beginning of the lengthening of days. Fairs are held on
the banks of the confluence of rivers. It is an occasion
for villagers to gather, meet each other and make
purchases.
Maha Shivratri
Observed in the month of February, this festival
commemorates the marriage of the Hindu God Shiva to
Parvati. In temples dedicated to Shiva, day and night
long prayers are held. Devotees of the God keep a fast
on this day. The Shiva Lingam is worshipped by washing
it with milk, curd and honey. Offerings of bael leaves
are also made to the Lingam.
Holi
Although a festival that is observed mainly in the Hindi
speaking areas of India, this festival is gaining
popularity in Sikkim too. People visit homes of friends
and relatives and smear each other with color. Holi
falls in the month of March and marks the advent of the
spring season. This festival essentially celebrates the
killing of the demoness Holika by Lord Krishna.
Chaite Dasain or Ramnavami
Observed to commemorate the birth of the Hindu God Rama,
this festival is celebrated by holding Melas or fares at
various places. One place where a small Mela is held
during this occasion is Tendong when villagers from
surrounding areas undertake the arduous trek up to the
peak. For Businessmen Ramnavami marks the end of the
financial year during which the books of accounts are
closed.
Raksha Bandhan
Another festival that has its origins in the Hindu
heartland of India, it is becoming quite popular with
the people of Sikkim. Sisters tie holy threads to the
wrists of their brothers and wish for their long and
prosperous life.
Janamastami
This festival commemorates the birthday of Lord Krishna.
temples are decorated with colorful lights and prayers
are held in various temples across the state. The birth
of Lord Krishna took place in the mid-night of
janamastami.
Vishwa Karma Puja
This festival takes place on 17th September every year
and honors Vishwa Karma-The God of Machines. Statues of
this diety are put up in temporary sheds called pandals
and worshipped especially by those who are involved in
handling machines like drivers and mechanics.
Rangey Mela
A little known festival, it is unique to Namchi. Held in
the month of July, an effigy of Rangey Bhoot (ghost) is
burnt at Namchi Bazaar, a day before the Mela.
Dassain
This fortnight long festival usually falls in the month
of October. Also known as Durga Puja, this festival
symbolizes the victory of the Hindu Goddess Durga over
the forces of the evil. On the first day barley seeds
are sown in the soil and their growth a few inches
foretells a good harvest. The next important day, a week
later is Fulpati meaning "the day of flowers". Maha
Astami and Kala Ratri follow Fulpati. The next day is
Navami i.e the ninth day. The 10th day of the festival
is known as Vijay Dashmi and also marks the victory of
Lord Rama over Ravana. During this day people smear
their foreheads with colored rice and the barley sprouts
which were sown on te first day of Dasain are picked and
placed over the ears.
Tihar
Tihar is the "Festival of Lights" and symbolizes the
return of Lord Rama to his hometown from exile after
victory over Ravana and covers a period of five days.
The festival honors certain animals on successive days.
The first day known as "Kak Tihar" is dedicated to crows
and they are offered rice and some if caught are
garlanded. On second day, which is known as "Kukkur
Tihar", dogs are garlanded. On the third day, the cows
are honored with garlands and their horns are painted in
bright colors. It is the turn of the bullocks on the
fourth day. Deepawali, which falls on the third day, is
considered to be the most important day when Goddess
Lakshmi comes visiting every home which is lit bright
with candles and electric lights.
The fifth day is also known as Bhai Tika in which
brothers visit the homes of their sisters and they apply
tikas vermillion to each others foreheads. It is also an
occassion of exchanging gifts. During Tihar, traditional
carols called Bhailo and Deusi are sung.
Sakewa
The Rai community in Sikkim celebrate Sakewa to invoke
the blessings of Goddess Chandi for an abundant crop and
favorable weather. Sakewa falls on baisakh purnay
(fifteenth day of the fifth month of Nepali calendar)
coinciding with the sowing season. Sakewa can therefore
also be interpreted as Bhoomi puja. The Mangpa (priest)
performs the prayer. One person beats the hongken (drum)
loudly. The mangpa then dances to the single drum beat.
The silis, as the dance is called consists of hundred
and eight characters of various animals and birds. After
the performance of the puja, the worshippers partake to
wachipa which is a dish made of chicken feathers.
The Rais also observe Sakewa in their homes. Three lungs
(stones) are installed in the prayer room to make a
furnace called Samkha. The lungs have unique names:
Suptulung, Taralung and Shakhalung. While invoking the
blessings of the goddess, a fire is lighted in the
furnace and the names of the forefathers are called out
aloud while offering food, millet, ginger and water. The
pot used for the water is called Wabuk or Salawa. |
