Tendong Lho Rum Faat
8 August every year
The Lepchas, Sikkim's earliest known inhabitants, tell that the Teesta and Rangeet once flooded the land and that Tendong Hill rose to keep a group of people above the water. The festival thanks the hill and asks for protection from natural disasters.
Prayers are led by Lepcha priests, known as bongthing and mun. Communities gather in traditional dress for rituals, offerings, songs, dances and cultural programmes. Some groups climb Tendong Hill above Namchi for prayers near the top; others celebrate in Namchi, Gangtok, Kalimpong and Darjeeling.
It is a community festival rather than a tourist show, and a good chance to see Lepcha dress, music and food.
How to do it well
- Ask a local contact or your hotel where public programmes are held that year.
- Expect monsoon rain and slippery trails if you climb Tendong Hill.
- Dress respectfully and ask before photographing elders and priests.
- Try Lepcha foods if stalls are set up; ask what each dish is.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
When is Tendong Lho Rum Faat
It is held every year on 8 August, a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar, and is a public holiday in Sikkim. Some community programmes may start the day before or continue the day after. Check current status before you travel if you plan to attend a specific event or climb Tendong Hill.
Where can I see Tendong Lho Rum Faat
Prayers are held on Tendong Hill above Namchi and Damthang, and Lepcha associations hold programmes in Namchi, Gangtok, Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Ask your hotel or a local Lepcha association where public events are planned. In Namchi, events are often in or near the town centre.
Can tourists join the Tendong prayers
Visitors are usually welcome to watch public prayers and cultural programmes if they are respectful. Do not interrupt rituals, keep clear of priests and offerings, and ask before taking photos. The climb on Tendong Hill in August is wet and slippery, so go only if you are prepared.
Who are the Lepchas
The Lepchas, who call themselves Rongkup or Mutanchi Rongkup, are the earliest known people of Sikkim and the hills around Darjeeling and Kalimpong. They have their own language and script, and traditions rooted in nature worship alongside Buddhism and Christianity. Dzongu in North Sikkim is a protected Lepcha reserve.