Sikkim is a land bestowed with an ethereal natural beauty and an equally rich & vibrant culture. While this beautiful North Eastern state of India organizes a number of fairs & festivals throughout the year to promote the region’s vibrant ethnic and traditional legacy, it is the unique fiesta of Namchi Mahotsav that marks its position on top of the cultural festivals list and succeeds in luring countless number of tourists, adventure aficionados, nature enthusiasts and holiday seekers from different parts of the globe. Besides, the festival is a great draw for Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims too who look forward to opportunities wherein they could combine their cultural tour with some spiritual excursions.
A point of advice, for those planning their trip to Sikkim during this festival, must get their hotel booking done well in advance as it’s the peak tourist season and hotels and other accommodations facilities during this timeframe tend to get completely occupied.
History of the Festival
Started in 2004 by the district administration under the guidance of South Sikkim Tourism Development Society (SSTDS), Namchi Mahotsav aims at promoting tourism, bringing rich culture and food of various indigenous tribal communities of the state at a global platform. Also, this festival provides for the much-needed opportunity to the local youth showcase their talent and thereby, carve ways for a sustainable income for their future growth.
Duration of the Festival
Held every year in the month of October, Namchi Mahotsav is a three day long fiesta that is organized at the Namchi Central Park in South Sikkim. People of various ethnicities come together at the celebration grounds to be part of this unique carnival that hosts an array of activities including folk dance performances, flower exhibitions, handicrafts & handloom stalls and food shows.
Highlights & Important Rituals of the Festival
Cultural performances, food shows focussed on promoting organic produce such as tea and vegetables, rural handicraft exhibits, flower displays and rural sports competitions mark some of the important highlights of the three days long Namchi Mahotsav. Nature and adventure enthusiasts too have a stupendous time at the festival that provides them unlimited opportunities to indulge in an array of activities including paragliding, rock-climbing, trekking and bird-watching. Besides, since Namchi is a famous pilgrimage destination for both Buddhists and Hindus, this festival here also provides for an idyllistic stage to all religious minded combine their cultural trip with some spiritualistic tours; ‘Samdruptse Hill’, ‘Solophok Char Dham’, Ngadak Monastery’ and ‘Shirdi Sai Mandir’ are few of the must-visit religious sites in this picturesque town that are sure to leave every visitor with a devout experience unmatched.