- NET Web Desk
The Sikkim Chief Minister – Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) and Governor – Ganga Prasad extended their best wishes to the masses; especially the Lepcha & Bhutia communities on the auspicious occasion of ‘Pang Lhabsol’.
Celebrated with much zeal and enthusiasm, ‘Pang Lhabsol’ is a unique festival of Sikkim celebrated annually to commemorate the consecration of Mount Khangchendzonga as the guardian deity of Sikkim.
The Dzonga deity was ordained by a Buddhist Guru to protect the people; thereby blessing the land with abundant rainfall, good harvest and guarding the devotees from natural disasters, diseases and catastrophes. In their turn, people were to make humble entreaties to the deity.
Meanwhile, this day commemorates the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepcha and the Bhutia communities at Kabi Lungchok.
The festival falls on the fifteenth day of the seventh month according to the Tibetan Calendar. It usually occurs in the month of August or September. During the festival, Dzonga (the representation of Mount Kangchendzonga), Gonpo (Mahakaal) and Dragpo Deshi (the guardian of the four directions) are venerated and worshipped.
Taking to social media platforms, the Sikkim CM wrote “I extend my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of Sikkim on the auspicious occasion of Pang Lhabsol. Pang Lhabsol symbolizes unity and brotherhood amongst the Sikkimese people, and historically, the day commemorates the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepcha and the Bhutia communities at Kabi Lungchok. It is a unique festival of Sikkim celebrated annually to commemorate the consecration of Mount Khangchendzonga as the guardian deity of Sikkim. On this special day, I offer my prayers to our guardian deity to bless Sikkim with everlasting peace and guide us on the path to progress and prosperity.”
“Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim Shri Ganga Prasad extends warm greetings to the people of Sikkim on the auspicious occasion of ‘Pang Lhabsol’. ‘Pang Lhabsol’ is a unique festival of Sikkim celebrated annually to commemorate the consecration of Mount Khangchendzonga as the guardian deity of Sikkim. It was on this day in the 13th century AD, that a solemn pact of unity and brotherhood between the Lepcha and the Bhutia tribes was made at the historic Kabi Lungtsok. The pact between the Lepcha chieftain Thekong Thek and Bhutia chieftain Khye Bumsa with majestic and revered Mt. Khangchendzonga as the principal witness, has laid the foundation for Sikkim as the land of brotherhood, unity, peace and tranquility. We worship our guardian deity Mt. Khangchendzonga and offer gratitude for guarding all Sikkimese from natural disasters, diseases and catastrophes, and also seek continued patronage and blessings for future. In his message, the Hon’ble Governor stated that Pang Lhabsol is an important festival symbolizing Sikkimese ethos and is unique in the sense that it is celebrated as the festival of unity with much reverence by Lepchas, Bhutias, Nepalese, Vyaparis and people belonging to different ethnic groups and faiths in Sikkim. He compliments the efforts of the Pang Lhabsol Celebration Committee for keeping the sanctity the festival intact all these years and celebrating our unity and brotherhood with special veneration to mother nature. On this auspicious occasion, let us all put forward our collective efforts towards strengthening and fostering brotherhood and harmony among all section of Sikkimese population. Let us renew our pledge to preserve our distinct Sikkimese identity till eternity,” stated the Hon’ble Governor.”
