Losoong and the Kagyed Chaam
December (end of the 10th Tibetan month)
Losoong, also called Namsoong by the Lepcha, marks the end of the farming year, when barns are full and families gather. The Kagyed Chaam is held on the 28th and 29th days of the tenth Tibetan month at the Tsuklakhang in Gangtok and at other monasteries such as Phodong in North Sikkim. On the final day an effigy representing evil is burnt.
December is cold and clear in Gangtok, with the best mountain views of the year. That makes this a fine time to combine the festival with a Tsomgo trip, though snow may close Nathu La and the Zuluk road on some days. Archery contests and family feasts with local food and chhang, a millet beer, are part of the celebrations.
How to do it well
- Dates follow the Tibetan calendar, so confirm them with Sikkim Tourism each year
- Dress warmly, as outdoor dances can last several hours in the cold
- Book Gangtok rooms early because the festival runs into the Christmas season
- Keep a flexible day for Tsomgo in case snow closes the road
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
What is the Kagyed Chaam?
The Kagyed Chaam is a masked dance performed by monks just before Losoong. Dancers represent protective deities, and the dance symbolises the destruction of evil and misfortune from the passing year. It ends with the burning of effigies. In Gangtok it is held at the Tsuklakhang, the royal chapel near the old palace.
When does Losoong fall?
Losoong usually falls in December, at the end of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar, after the harvest. The Kagyed Chaam takes place on the 28th and 29th days of that month. Exact dates change every year, so check the Sikkim government holiday list or ask your hotel.
Is December a good month to visit Gangtok?
Yes, for clear skies and mountain views. Days are cool, around 5–15°C, and nights are cold. Snow sometimes closes the road to Nathu La and above Tsomgo for a day or two, and Zuluk can be snowbound. Check current status before you travel and pack warm layers.
Can visitors join Losoong celebrations?
The monastery dances are open to respectful visitors. Family feasts and village celebrations are private, but homestay guests are sometimes invited to share food. If you are invited, accept a little of everything offered, and follow your hosts' lead on when to eat and how to sit.