Sikkim celebrates Pang Lhabsol festival honoring guardian deities

Sikkim came alive with devotion and traditional fervor as the Pang Lhabsol festival reached its grand finale at the historic Tsuklakhang Palace. TN Kaji, Managing Trustee of Gangtok Tsuklakhang Palace, highlighted the uniqueness of this festival, saying that Pang Lhabsol is celebrated only in Sikkim and is not observed in any other Buddhist region across the Himalayan belt.

The festival holds deep spiritual significance. It traces back to the arrival of Guru Rinpoche in Sikkim, who, according to tradition, bound various spiritual forces and entrusted them as guardian deities to protect the welfare and prosperity of the state. The festival is performed to honor these deities, including Dzonga, Yabgi, and other spiritual forces.

“This festival has been performed at Chokla Khang since the time of Chogel Chaton Namgyal,” TN Kaji explained. “Today is the final day of the puja, which is called Pankhe Cham. All the dances are performed by laymen; lamas do not take part in these performances.”

A major highlight of the festival is the Panglapso, a traditional warrior dance. Historical accounts reveal that Chardon Namgyal, one of the Chogals, choreographed the dance after experiencing a vivid dream. The dance is performed to pay homage to the guardian deities, express gratitude for blessings received from nature, and seek their protection and guidance for the future.

Though Pang Lhabsol is celebrated today at Chokla Khang, it is historically linked to the Treaty of Unity signed at Khabi Long Chok, which brought together the Bhutia leaders. TN Kaji noted that the present-day celebrations have evolved but continue to preserve the essence and spiritual purpose of the original festival.