PHANG LHABSOL

Celebrated In : Sikkim In the month of : August Religion : Buddhism

Popularised by the third Chogyal of Sikkim, Chakdor Namgyal, the snowy range of Kanchendzonga is worshipped for its unifying powers. This festival marks the signing of the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias by Kye Bhumsa and Thekong tek when the local deities were invoked to witness the occasion. In fact 'Phang' means witness. On this day the guardian deity is portrayed by masked Lama dancers as a fiery red-faced deity with a crown of five skulls, riding a snow-lion. It is held on the 15th day of the 7th month around end of August.