Namchi district · Theme
Festivals in South Sikkim
Planned around the lunar calendar
Photo: Sharada Prasad CS · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
In South Sikkim, festivals works best in Jorethang, Ralang Monastery and Tendong Hill. Losar, Losoong, Saga Dawa, Pang Lhabsol, Bumchu at Tashiding, Tendong Lho Rum Faat and the mask dances of each monastery. Most follow the Tibetan or lunar calendar, so dates move every year.
Sikkim's festivals belong to its communities: Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbu and Nepali, Buddhist and Hindu. Many happen in monastery courtyards and village grounds, open to respectful visitors.
Dates shift with the moon. We confirm the year's dates with the monastery or organisers before we build the trip. Check current status before you travel.
Places
Where to go
town
Jorethang300M
Jorethang
Warm river town on the Rangeet, gateway to West Sikkim
monastery
Ralang Mo…1,940M
Ralang Monastery
Kagyu monastery of the mask dances, 6 km below Ravangla
Tendong Hill
The Lepcha ark mountain, a half-day forest walk from Damthang
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Hours that fit the theme
Culture
A day at Jorethang's Maghe Sankranti mela
Join thousands of families on the Rangeet riverbank for Jorethang's Maghe Sankranti fair, held since 1961: a morning dip for the devout, …
Nature
An evening by the Rangeet at Jorethang
A short, easy stroll down to the river after a long drive: the wide Rangeet, the bridge to the Darjeeling side, and …
Food
Thali, momos and sel roti in Jorethang bazaar
A practical, tasty stop in the market around Jorethang's taxi stand: a rice thali or momos at a busy local eatery, sel …
Monasteries and shrines
Up the Rangeet valley to Legship's riverside temple
A short river-valley drive north from Jorethang to Legship in Gyalshing district, where the Kirateshwar Mahadev temple stands by the Rangeet. A …
Monasteries and shrines
Morning prayers at Palchen Choeling
Arrive early to hear monks chanting in Palchen Choeling's assembly hall, with drums, horns and the smell of butter lamps. Sit quietly …
Culture
Walk to old Ralang, Karma Rabtenling
Most visitors stop at the big new monastery and leave. Walk on to Karma Rabtenling, the original Ralang monastery founded in 1768 …
Culture
Pang Lhabsol cham at Ralang
On Pang Lhabsol, the day Sikkim honours Kangchenjunga as its guardian, Ralang's monks perform masked cham dances in the courtyard. Warriors, protectors …
Culture
Ralang's winter cham in the 10th month
Ralang's second great dance falls on the 29th day of the 10th Tibetan month, usually in December. Clear winter skies, fewer tourists …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
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