FAIRS & FESTIVALS- Several festivals are
celebrated in Gangtok and its adjoining areas.
- The Buddhist festival of Bumchu is
held in the Tashiding Gompa during January.
- The festival of Chaam is held in
Enchey Gompa during January-February and is marked by dancing.
- Kagyat Dance is a mask dance held
every month at Gangtok, Pemayangtse and Phodong.
- Losar marks the Tibetan New Year and
is celebrated during February-March at Pemayangtse and Rumtek.
- Tse Chu is a Buddhist dance held in
May at Rumtek.
- Saga Dawa, held in Gangtok during
May, and Drukpa Teshi, celebrated statewide during July, mark Buddha's
first teaching.
- Phang Lhabsol is a mask dance
celebrated statewide during August.
- Dasain, celebrated statewide during
September-October, is marked by gift swapping and animal sacrifice.
