Sikkim chief minister PS Tamang has wished the people on the occasion of the Bumchu festival.
The Bumchu festival was started during the Namgyal dynasty of Sikkim (1642-1975).
Many Bhutanese have gathered in West Sikkim to observe the ceremony.
“I extend my warm greetings to the Sikkimese people and devotees/pilgrims coming from within and outside India on the auspicious occasion of THE sacred Bumchu ceremony which falls on the 6th and 7th of March 2023,” the chief minister said in his message.
“Unique in its very essence, the Bumchu ceremony is sacred to Sikkim. The sacred vase (Bumpa) is one of Guru Padmasambhava’s revered treasure that was consecrated in one of the holiest monasteries of Sikkim, the Tashiding Monastery.. On this auspicious occasion, I pray for the good health, prosperity and well-being of the Sikkimese people. I also laud the efforts of the organisers and the ecclesiastical department in ensuring the celebration is plastic-free,” the chief minister said.
As per the custom, a sacred vase will be ceremoniously opened on March 7. The monks will predict if the whole year from now onwards would be troublesome or easy, based on the quantity of water in the vase. If the water has decreased, then that indicates a difficult year, according to popular belief. If the water level has increased, that implies happiness, prosperity and peace for the people.
The Bumchu festival is observed at the Tashiding Monastery in West Sikkim during the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar calendar, which usually falls in February or March. The main attraction of the festival is the opening of the vase that holds sacred water. The amount of water in the vessel is thought to be an indicator of the upcoming year’s prosperity, making it the festival’s central point of interest.
Devotees from all over Sikkim as well as neighboring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, etc. come to take part in this festival.
