This festival is celebrated at Tashiding Monastery on the 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar. Bumchu or the opening of the vessel containing the holy water is one of the holiest festivals in Sikkim. The level of water in this vessel is believed to be a sign of the fortunes of the coming year.
Each year, the vessel is opened to verify the level of water in it, it follows that if the water level is higher or lower then it signifies ill fortune such as droughts, diseases and natural calamities. A special recitation is conducted and the seal of the vase is checked before it is taken out of the case.
After the vessel is opened, the monks take seven cups of water from it and after mixing it with water from Rathong Chu distribute it among the devotees. To fill the vessel again, seven cups of water are taken from Rathong Chu and put into the vase and sealed until next year.
Devotees from all over Sikkim as well as neighboring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, etc. come to take part in this festival.
Major attractions of Bhumchu Festival
The opening of the sacred vase known as Bhumchu by the monks or Lamas on the first day of two-day festival.
The level of water in the sacred vase determines the future of the region which is believed to be calm and prosperous when the water is half-filled in the vase.
How to reach Bhumchu Festival?
People can travel to the nearest airports and railway stations from the capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok. The nearest airport is about 124 kms away in Bagdogra in West Bengal. The nearest railway station is in New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri which is about 148 kms. People can easily take road transport from there and drive to Gangtok or other regions of Sikkim.
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