Buddhism is associated with everything serene, peaceful, and a shroud of cold calm. Most of us can associate the tranquil enlightened face of the curly-haired King who renounced all the worldly treasures to live the life of an ascetic, yes the Enlighted One-Lord Buddha. But there is a fascinating colorful culture associated with Buddhism and Sikkim celebrates this with a lot of fervor. If you wish to celebrate the warm months in the laps of the mountains, then pack your bags to see the vibrant Saga Dawa festival held in the month of May. Frontiers Beyond wants you to capture those celebration vibes which is revered by the Mahayana Buddhism wing of the main religion with the fondest of memories.

Saga Dawa is celebrated in the 4th month of the Tibetan Calendar which marks the birth of Lord Buddha and aims to commemorate his enlightenment and salvation. Various street processions and colorful display of ceremonies to mark his birth month is a visual treat in this beautiful land cradled in the snow-capped mountains of Sikkim. It is interesting to note that the festival is referred by this name by Sikkim and Tibet but other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia or Sri Lanka refer to it as Vesak Day.

The main seat of action is Gangtok, the capital city of the state of Sikkim. Gangtok can be reached from Bagdogra which is the nearest airport to the city, or the nearest railway station Siliguri or NJP station. A car or taxi can be hired from there which will take around 5 to 6 hours in reaching Gangtok through picturesque bends and lush green landscapes and gorgeous river valleys.

The beautiful golden-hued monasteries light the butter lamps, and the holy monks read from the scriptures called the Kajur texts. Don’t get lost in the crowd as people get very carried away to seek the blessings of the Lord and see the processions and benevolently distribute alms and help the downtrodden people of the society. Mainly people do it for reaping better benefits in life during this holy festival month. Hence it is also called Poor man’s day.

One of the most hypnotizing moments to behold is when from the Tsuk-La-Lang Monastery, the monks chant hymns and carry the portrait of Lord Buddha descend on the streets in a long procession. People just feel carried away during this time and one feels one with the energies of the divine and it seems as if time decides to take a brief pause capturing everything around you. It is an absolutely spell-binding moment. During his dying moments, Lord reminded his followers not to mourn his death or adorn his lifeless body with flowers strewn, but to follow his teachings, uphold his principles and lead a life of compassion. He reminded all that finally everything becomes one with dust and hence every living being will meet their end but the soul is eternal and his ascent to heaven should be celebrated.

Through Cham dance where people dress up in vibrant colors and paint the town red with their love for the Lord, you can experience the life stories of Budhha and some of the most eventful moments of his life. The white air reverberates with the dance and beats and it is an otherworldly experience. Some amazing artworks surface which show Tibetan/Sikkimese masks and shows their rich culture to the world which is worth an exhibit.

During the festival, the local Buddhist people turn vegetarian and it might be a bit difficult for you to find nonvegetarian options but still, the food is warm with love and you will surely relish one or two bites of Tim Pao, vegetable momos, or the soupy Thukpas.

Your morning hours will be filled with melodies of chants and hymns during the festival of Saga Dawa but during the evening, we can tell you the places you can hang around starting from the orchid garden to Gangtok vibrant mall. You are likely to see bright skies and enjoy the beauty of the Khangchendzhonga range which resembles the sleeping Budhha. And after the festival, if you think you can squeeze in a day or two here and there we can guarantee you that you will not be disappointed to explore northern Sikkim lakes and valleys or Southern Sikkim Monasteries and tea gardens. This is the time to plan the perfect trip to the mountains and celebrate some life and culture with sips from the freshly brewed tea of the Sikkimese tea gardens with Frontiers Beyond.