saga dawa

Saga Dawa Festival

Saga Dawa is one of the major Buddhist festivals in Sikkim and is celebrated in the Tibetan lunar month. The full moon day that falls in the middle of the lunar month is known as Saga Dawa and it is considered as an auspicious day by the Buddhists. Saga Dawa is called the ‘Month of Merits’ and is celebrated between May and June. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightment and death of the Buddha. On the occasion of Saga Dawa in Sikkim, people gather at the monasteries and offer water, incense sticks and dhog. Also, many participate in the circumambulation of the Gompas, where they chant mantras, carry the religious text and turn the prayer wheels.