While informing the press that no stone would be left unturned to make the silver jubilee event a rand success, Mr. Bhutia said a series of programmes like national level volley ball tournament, culture programmes on folk genre are being organized during the three-day event.

Most importantly, the programme will feature the annual Pangtoed Chaam, the only religious dance performed by common men called Pangtoedpas. They wear colourful ‘kho’ and ‘ghotse’ made of brocade and helmets festooned with silk flags, brocade boots and carry swords on the right hand and shields on their left. Before the dance, Pangtoedpas proceed into the shrine for a consecration ceremony as well as to attend khelen, (a prayer performed by a head monk to remind the deities of their responsibility to protect the land form all anti-religious forces).

At least 60 cultural troupes from across the State have already confirmed their participation with the cultural wing of the celebration committee.

“Pang Lhabsol is not limited to a particular community; it is the festival of the people of Sikkim. It is a festival to pray to our guardian deity for continuous peace in the State,” the minister said.

Interestingly, Rabongla over the years has grown up as a volleyball hub alongside the Pang Lhabsol celebrations, for which the volley ball lovers eagerly await. Several international and national level volleyball players have played in the synthetic turf of the volley ball court at Rabong. A cash prize of Rs 1 lakh will be awarded to the winners this year. The best players short listed from Sikkim will also represent the state in the tournament.

There’s something more this time. For anyone willing to showcase their talent, there will be a street performance in the highest town. The much-awaited museum preserving various cultural and traditional artifacts will also be inaugurated by the chief minister. The celebration committee will also organize photo exhibition in coordination with the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.

As far as accommodation for tourists is concerned, Mr. Bhutia informed that there is no problem as Rabong offers 51 small and big hotels along with home stays.

Pang Lhabsol festival commemorates the consecration of Mt. Khangchendzonga as the guardian deity of Sikkim. The reverence to the deities is observed every year on the 15th day of the 7th Buddhist month with invocations and ritual offerings via Lhabsol and Chu Rum Faat. Even the warriors (dabla) or the retinue of the mountain gods are brought out and evil is vanquished in the form of Pangtoed Chaam. In the very performance of this ritual lies the essence of seeking universal protection from natural calamities, war, famine or diseases. Monks and Boongthings go to the foothills of Mt. Khangchendzonga, near sacred lakes and caves and monasteries to perform the Lhabsol as instructed by Guru Rinpoche, the patron saint of Sikkim.

The day also celebrates and reiterates the oath of blood brotherhood sworn in the 13th century at Kavi Lungchok between the Lepcha and Bhutia chiefs keeping Mt. Khangchendzonga as their witness. An oath so indelible hitherto, which has in fact, over the years reinvented itself as the festival of Sikkimese Unity. This is one festival that is completely Sikkimese in its genesis and practice and underlines the very ethos of Sikkim.

Yishey D