Chaam masked dances of Pang Lhabsol
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Masked monastic dances performed for Pang Lhabsol, a festival unique to Sikkim that honours Mount Khangchendzonga as the State’s guardian deity.
RitualWhere: SikkimOccasion: Pang Lhabsol, on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar (usually August–September); masked dances are also held at monastery festivals
| Performed by | Lamas (monks) of Sikkim’s monasteries |
|---|---|
| Costume | Rich silk robes and large painted masks; the warrior dance (Pangtoed) is performed in armour with swords and shields |
| Music and instruments | Monastic orchestra of drums, cymbals, long horns (dungchen) and oboes |
How it is performed
- Monks prepare through prayer and ritual before the festival.
- Dancers come out into the monastery courtyard in masks representing protector deities.
- They move slowly and with great control, turning, stepping and raising their arms to the beat of the drums.
- In the warrior dance, armed dancers leap and whirl, showing the protecting deities defending the land.
- The dances end with rituals of blessing for the land and its people.
Significance
Pang Lhabsol remembers a traditional blood-brotherhood pact between the Lepcha and Bhutia peoples, with Khangchendzonga as witness. It celebrates the unity of Sikkim’s communities.