Tendong Lho Rum Faat is among the oldest and most
significant festivals celebrated by the Lepcha community in Sikkim. According
to Lepcha folklore, Mount Tendong played a pivotal role in saving the Lepcha
people during a catastrophic deluge that submerged the entire Myil Liand, the
Lepcha name for Sikkim. The festival is an expression of gratitude and
reverence towards Mount Tendong, which is viewed as a protective force in
Lepcha tradition. Celebrated with rituals, traditional music, and dance,
Tendong Lho Rum Faat is a vibrant event where the Lepchas come together to
honor their heritage and seek blessings for continued safety and prosperity.
Tendong Lho Rum Faat Information
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Aspect
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Information
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Name
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Tendong
Lho Rum Faat
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Type
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Cultural
and Religious festival
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Celebrated
by
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Lepcha
Community in Sikkim, India
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Date
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Although
it is celebrated in August, the date can also be fixed
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Significance
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Worship
of Mount Tendong for protection and blessings
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Traditions
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Rituals and Prayers for protection and prosperity
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Singing traditional songs and dancing
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Activities
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Traditional music and dance performances
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Storytelling and sharing of Lepcha folklore
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Location
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It
is celebrated in Tendong Hill and Chettar of Sikkim |
Tendong Lho Rum Faat History
Tendong Lho Rum Faat is a unique and traditional festival that has its roots in ancient Lepcha
mythology and is held to commemorate a significant event from their history.
According to Lepcha legend, a catastrophic flood once threatened to submerge
the world, but Mount Tendong miraculously rose to save the people from the
deluge. In gratitude and remembrance of this divine intervention, the Tendong
Lho Rum Faat festival was established.
Tendong Lho Rum Faat, typically observed in August, features
a variety of traditional rituals and ceremonies. It is marked by prayers,
storytelling, songs, and dances that celebrate the Lepcha heritage and honor
the spiritual significance of Mount Tendong. This cultural festival serves as
an important occasion for the Lepcha community to connect with their roots,
preserve their folklore, and celebrate their unique identity.
Significance of Tendong Lho Rum Faat
Tendong Lho Rum Faat is a festival celebrated by the Lepcha
community, primarily in the Indian state of sikkim. It holds significant
cultural and religious importance for the Lepcha people. Here’s a breakdown of
its Significance:
- Cultural Importance: Tendong Lho Rum Faat is deeply rooted
in Lapcha culture and heritage. It serves as a means of preserving and
promoting Lepcha traditions, customs, and values.
- Religious Significance: The festival is associated with
spirituality and religious beliefs of the Lepcha community. It involves paying
homage to Mount Tendong, which holds sacred significance in Lapcha mythology.
Mount Tendong is believed to have saved the Lepcha people from a catastrophic
flood, making it a revered site.
- Harvest Festival: Tendong Lho Rum Faat is often celebrated
as a harvest festival, marking the culmination of the agricultural season. It
is a time for farmers to rejoice in the fruits of their labor and offer
gratitude for a bountiful harvest.
- Community Bonding: Like many festivals, Tendong Lho Rum Faat
fosters a sense of unity and camaraderie among the Lepcha community. It brings
people together, strengthens social ties, and promotes solidarity.
- Environmental Conservation: In recent times, there has been
a growing emphasis on the environmental significance of Mount Tendong and its
surrounding areas are considered ecologically sensitive and the festival serves
as a reminder of the importance of preserving natural resources and maintaining
ecological balance.
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Why do we celebrated Tendong Lho Rum Faat
Tendong Lho Rum Faat is a festival celebrated primarily by
the Lepcha community, an indigenous group of people living in the Indian states
of Sikkim, West Bengal and parts of Nepal and Bhutan. The festival is
celebrated to honor the mountain Tendong, which holds great significance in
Lepcha culture.
Tendong is believed to be a sacred mountain that saved the Lepcha
people from a catastrophic flood. According to Lepcha mythology, when the world
was flooded, the mountain Tendong rose up, providing a safe refuge for the
Lepcha people and saving them from the deluge. This event is celebrated
annually as Tendong Lho Rum Faat, which roughly translates to “prayer from
Tendong Hill”.
During the festival, rituals and prayers are performed to
express gratitude to the mountain for its protection and blessing. People also
offer prayers for peace, prosperity and the well-being of their communities.
Additionally, cultural programs, Traditional dance,music and feasting are part
of the festivities, fostering a sense of community and strengthening cultural
bonds among the Lepcha people.
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In conclusion, Tendong Lho Rum Faat holds immense
significance for the Lepcha community as it not only celebrates their cultural
identity but also strengthens the bonds within the community. Through these festivals the Lepchas express the reverence of
nature and their ancestors, highlighting the importance for preserving their
traditions for future generations. Additionally, Tendong Lho Rum Faat serves as
a platform for cultural exchanges and promotes tourism in the region, thereby
contributing to the socio economic development of sikkim.