Pang Lhabsol Festival 2022

Pang Lhabsol is a famous festival in Sikkim that endows color and elegance in the already colorful state. The rich and varied tints play a significant role in the cultural fiesta. This carnival is well connected with the culture and tradition of this land. Sikkim celebrates Pang Lhabsol festival every year symbolizing blood brotherhood between the Lepchas and the Bhutias at Kabi Lungchok under the watchful eye of the mighty Mount Khangchendzonga.

Pang Lhabsol is one of the most popular regional and cultural festivals of Sikkim. It attracts countless tourists and visitors from across the nation and different parts of the world. The vibrant festival spreads a matchless aura of positivity and colours all around, bringing all the people of the state at a platform where they can just immerse their souls in celebrations and festivities.

The celebrations for Pang Lhabsol are held on the 15th day of the 7th month of Tibetan Lunar Calendar every year, which according to English Calendar, falls somewhere between the August-September timeframe. Pang Lhabsol Sikkim is a mystical festival celebrated across Sikkim at different locations, especially monasteries. It is an extravagant carnival that takes place on the grounds of the Tsuklakhang Monastery in Gangtok. Both tourists and locals including Bhutias, Lepchas and Nepalis take part in the festivities with great enthusiasm showcasing the vibes of communal harmony in the state. The festival brings positivity and happiness everywhere and brings all people together to immerse in celebrations and festivities. Carnivals, lama warrior dances, and cultural performances are organized, and traditional Sikkimese food is prepared.

Monks and lamas perform elaborate rituals, dances, and prayers. This keeps the locals and tourists hooked. A special dance, ‘Pang-Toed Chaam’ charms the people and directly aims at invoking Mount Kanchenjunga.

Lamas wears fiery red-faced masks and crowns made of five skulls and ride on a snow lion. This represents the guardian angel and is a sight to behold. The enchanting dance and acrobatic moves on the sounds of drums and cymbals are something you will never forget once you see. Later, the Mahakala, the protector of Dharma enters, which is probably one of the much-awaited parts of the celebration and brings a twist to the whole performance.

The festival is symbolic and is famous for its warrior dance, which is unique in its own sense. The dance is largely based on the teachings of the third Chogyal and is called ‘chaams,’ while the dancers are called Pangtoed. The masked performers are said to be elegant and gracious, with their movements, as swift as the flow of water. Sikkim witnesses a rise in its tourism, with people from all over the world, coming to watch the local dance performances and to cheer them up. The entire festival is marked by the celebratory mood, lighted up by the vibrant atmosphere, filled by drums, music and dances. The mornings are filled with religious processions whereas the evenings are marked by lighthearted games of volleyball and the aroma of local dishes.

One of the major objectives of the festival is to induce the values of peace and harmony among the generations yet to come. A stone was placed, in order to symbolise the treaty signed in North Sikkim and honour the bond of brotherhood. The whole atmosphere of the place during the festival is quite electrical and full of energy.