If you are planning a visit to Sikkim in December for snow, there's more to experience than just the icy landscapes. December also marks the start of the Losar festival in Sikkim. This festival celebrates the harvest and the beginning of the new year.
Sikkim is deeply influenced by Buddhist culture, with monasteries scattered across the region. Among them, two popular monasteries host grand Losar celebrations every year. While the festival in Rumtek and Phodong monasteries continues for four days, the spirit of Losar spreads throughout Sikkim.
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The main appeal of Losar is the famous masked dance performed within the Buddhist monasteries, also known as the Cham dance. In this ritualised dance, Buddhist monks wear colourful attire and masks depicting Buddhist gods and mythological stories. People from all over India and abroad come to Sikkim to have a glimpse of this great performance.
Losar is celebrated primarily by the Bhutias and Lepchas. The festival falls on a different date every year according to the Tibetan lunar calendar. The whole state comes alive with joy, music, dance, and feasting. Tourists visiting during Losar must not miss tasting the local cuisine, as special delicacies are prepared in every household for the festival. Some of the delicacies that one should not miss include Phagshapa, Thukpa, Sel Roti, Chang, and Gundruk soup.
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The dates for Losar this year are between 20 and 25 December. To witness the festivities, you could travel to Rumtek Monastery in Gangtok. Another great place to see the Losar celebrations is Phodong Monastery, situated 28 kilometres away from Gangtok.
