Bhutia and Lepcha Buddhists, with Nyingma monks of Pemayangtse · West Sikkim
Pemayangtse mask dances (Chaam)
February, 28th–29th day of the 12th Tibetan month (lunar), just before Losar
Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
On the last two days of the Tibetan year, the monks of Pemayangtse, the senior Nyingma monastery of Sikkim, dance in masks in the courtyard to drive out the old year's obstacles before Losar.
Pemayangtse Monastery, at about 2,085 m above Pelling, holds its annual mask dances on the 28th and 29th days of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar, which falls in February. The dates are given in Wikipedia's article on the monastery. The dances end the Tibetan year: their purpose, as in other Nyingma chaam, is to destroy the obstacles and negative forces gathered over the year so that Losar, the new year, starts clean.
The dancers are monks of Pemayangtse, which by tradition takes only ta-tshang, 'monks of pure lineage'. Wearing heavy brocade costumes and painted masks of protective deities, they move slowly to the sound of long horns, cymbals and drums. The climax is usually the destruction of an effigy representing evil. Families from the surrounding villages come in their best clothes, and many travellers time a Pelling trip around the dances.
February is cold in Pelling, around 2–12 °C, but the mountains are often clear, so the festival pairs well with sunrise views of Kangchenjunga. Rooms in Pelling are cheaper than in October. The monastery remains a place of worship during the dances, and the courtyard space is limited, so arrive early.
If you go
Tips for the day
- Arrive by mid-morning to find a place on the courtyard steps; the dances run for several hours each day.
- Ask before photographing monks and never step into the dance area for a closer shot.
- Tibetan calendar dates move every year, so check current status before you travel.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Pemayangtse mask dances (Chaam)
When are the Pemayangtse mask dances?
They are held on the 28th and 29th days of the 12th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, just before Losar, which usually means February. In 2026 Losar fell in mid-February, so the dances came a day or two earlier. Dates shift every year; we check the monastery's calendar before confirming a festival trip.
What is the meaning of the Pemayangtse chaam?
Chaam are sacred mask dances performed by monks. At the end of the Tibetan year they symbolise the destruction of obstacles and harmful forces, clearing the way for the new year. Masked figures represent protective deities, and the climax often involves the ritual destruction of an effigy. For the community it is both prayer and celebration.
Is there an entry fee to watch the Pemayangtse dances?
Pemayangtse normally charges visitors a small entry fee to the monastery, indicatively ₹20–50, and the courtyard dances are open to the public. Fees can change on festival days. Donations to the monastery are welcome but voluntary. Check current status before you travel.
Where should I stay for the Pemayangtse festival?
Pelling is the obvious base, 2 km from the monastery, with rooms for every budget. The Elgin Mount Pandim is a five-minute walk from the monastery gate. February is low season, so rates are lower than in October, but book ahead for the festival nights because local families and pilgrims also travel.
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Where it happens and how to get there
monastery
Pemayangt…2,085M
Pemayangtse Monastery
Sikkim's senior Nyingma monastery, home of the Zangdok Palri model
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