Keeping things light

Atchars, the traditional jesters who form an integral part of religious dances at monasteries, liven up the somber motions of the Gutor Chaam at Sang Monastery in East Sikkim on Saturday. The pranks remain slapstick pantomime, but the costumes have modernized, like the slick masks the duo are wearing here. There were many laughs and giggles in the crowd on Saturday.

Gutor Chaam at Sang Gumpa

GANGTOK, 09 Feb: Gutor Puja at Karma Dubgyu Chokhorling in Sang, East Sikkim, concluded with the Gutor Chaam [Mahakala Ritual Lama Dance] on Saturday. The puja had started on 01 February and the cham today was performed by around 70 monks from Rumtek, Ralong and Sang.
A senior monk, DS Lama informed that the Gutor Chaam is performed annually mainly for world peace and for the well-being of all sentient beings. He further mentioned that the chaam is also to performed to prevent natural calamities and destruction in the area and for peace and prosperity.