Bhumchu - 'The Pot Of Water' Festival

Bhumchu - "Pot of Water" festival

Bhumchu is a festival which is celebrated with tremendous fanfare in the entire state of Sikkim. The festival is believed to decide the fate of this beautiful North Eastern state of India in the upcoming new year and sees a footfall of thousands of tourists and devotees not only from the neighbouring towns but, also from across the bordering countries like Nepal and Bhutan. It is one of the most important and holiest festivals for all the Buddhists in Sikkim and around.

Credits - indianholiday.com


Celebrations in Sikkim

The festival is celebrated for two days starting on the 14th day of the first month of Tibetan lunar calendar, which often falls in the months of February and March. 

On the first day, the monks at the Tashiding Monastery open the sacred vase and predict the events for the coming year. 

On the second day, amidst prayers and chants, the pot is re-filled from the water of sacred river nearby and again sealed until to be opened the next year.

The main highlight of the Bhumchu festival is marked by the sacred pot of water which is opened only once a year for the public display; the lamas open this pot first thing in the morning and determine the future of the state in the new year by observing the level of water in the same; a water level up to the brim gives an indication towards natural disasters and calamities, if the water level is low, it’s a sign of famines and droughts and lastly, if the water is just half filled, it signifies a peaceful and prosperous year ahead. The water from this pot is considered very pious and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the one consuming even a drop of it. Only a small amount of this holy water is distributed among the devotees and that is the reason, there are long queues in-front of the monastery with people lined up starting early mid-night. 

Rishit Basundhara


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