Darjeeling which is popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’ is a place where races belonging from different countries like: Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet are residing over many years. All the people of this place celebrate different festivals like: Dashain to Christmas and Lhosar to Id-al-Fitr with the same gaiety and enthusiasm thus making it a grand success. The diversified culture of this place has given an opportunity to celebrate several festivals which allows the outsiders to know about the rituals, culture, and traditions of the people living in this place. There are various festivals which are celebrated according to the religions but participated by all thus marking of togetherness, joyous, and happiness. Some of the festivals of this type are described below: JUST A CLICK AWAY…
http://www.darjeelingtourismpackages.com/darjeeling-festivals.html
Bhumchu Festival: This festival is celebrated in the month of January or February at the monastery of Tashiding by Buddhists. Bhumchu is derived from the word ‘Bhum’ meaning Pot and ‘Chu’ meaning water thus meaning pot filled with water. During the time of this festival a pot containing holy water is opened by the Lamas, it is believed that the level of the water in the pot foretells the future of the upcoming year. If water is to the brim it signifies prosperity and if it is spilled it signifies disaster. A part of the holy water is distributed to all the devotees and at the end of this festival the pot is again filled with river water and sealed, only to be opened in the next Bhumchu.
Bhai Tika: Bhai Tika is celebrated on the 5th day of Diwali which falls on the month of September to November. This last day of Diwali is fully dedicated to brothers. On this day sisters put on tika in the forehead of their brothers, garland them with flowers, and exchange gifts and in return brothers promise to protect their sisters throughout their life.
Ram Nawami: This day is celebrated on the birth of Lord Rama of Ayodhya, he was the Seventh Incarnation of the Dashavtara of Lord Vishnu and remembered through this festival for his righteous and prosperous reign. The chariot processions known as Shobha Yatras are taken out of Rama, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman in several places. This festival is conducted on the 9th day of the last Hindu month Chaitra and marks the end of 9th day Chaitra celebrations with ‘Bhajan’ and ‘Kirtan’ and distributing of ‘Prasad’ after ‘Aarti’. In some places, the festival is conducted for 9 days which is known as Navratras. Ayodhya of Uttar Pradesh, Sitamarhi of Bihar is some of the places where this festival is conducted in a huge mass.
Sansari Puja: In the early morning of April month this festival is conducted by ethnic Nepali community to begin the New Year in a joyful way. It is conducted in the bank of a river. It is believed that the goddess in this day presides over the world and keeps the diseases and disasters away.
Saga Dawa: Saga Dawa Duchen (four month) the festival of Baisakha is conducted the 15th day of the Tibetan Lunar month. It celebrates the enlightenment and Parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni. This day also marks the enlightenment of Parinirvana in Kushinagar. The replacement of the flagpole in the middle of Mt. Kailash in the far west of Tibet which is believed to be the centre of this world by Buddhist, Hindu, Jainism, and Bon is the main event of this festival.
Id-Ul-Fitr: Id-Ul Fitr also known as the Sugar Feast is observed by the Muslim community throughout the world marking the end of Ramadan fasting. It falls on the 1st of Shawwal of the Muslim calendar. It is conducted by visiting friends or relatives home, using perfume, wearing new cloths etc.
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