The observance at Tendong

NAMCHI, 08 Aug: Tendong Lho Rum Faat marks the worship of Mount Tendong in South Sikkim, the hill, which as per Lepcha beliefs, saved the tribe from a devastating deluge by offering them refuge and then growing in height while everything around them was swept away. While Gangtok hosts the state-level observance of the festival, the hill itself is the venue for the traditional worship and hosts members of the Lepcha community and their priests who gather here for the timeless rituals. It may be added here that these rituals had shriveled in observance and patronage in the past, but the declaration of the festival as a state holiday in Sikkim and a resurgence of interest among the community has now made this festival a high point of the Lepcha calendar of events now.
This year, Bongthings gathered at the Tendong summit to lead a 3-day prayer session which concluded today. Hundreds more trekked the 6 kms to the summit to attend the prayers which have been underway since 05 August.
The Tourism and Forest Minister Bhim Dhungel accompanied by all the Lepcha MLAs was also at the summit yesterday to offer prayers.