Context
Recently, the Bumchu Festival was celebrated in the Tashiding Monastery, located in the state of Sikkim.
Relevance:
GS I: Festivals, Facts for Prelims
About Bumchu Festival:
- The Bumchu Festival is an important annual ritual held at the Tashiding Monastery in Sikkim, India.
- It commemorates a supernatural event that occurred in the 18th century under Chogyal Chakdor Namgyal.
- Bumchu means “pot of sacred water” in Tibetan, and during the festival, the vase containing the holy water is opened and shared among worshippers.
- The water is believed to possess healing qualities and to bring good luck and wealth to those who drink it.
- The festival takes place on the 14th and 15th of the first lunar month, which typically falls in February or March.
- The Bumchu Festival is a popular event, drawing pilgrims from all over India and neighboring countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Source: The Hindu
