GANGTOK, Sept 13 - Sikkim today celebrated the indigenous festival of Pang Lhabsol. Chief Minister PS Tamang attended the celebrations at Ravangla. Assembly Speaker LB Das, Deputy Speaker Sangay Lepcha, Tamang�s wife Krishna Kumari Rai, and a host of other leaders were present on the occasion.
At the beginning of the celebrations, the Chief Minister offered prayers at the Karma Tekchenling monastery and sought blessings from Sangter Tulku Rinpoche. Later, the traditional Pangtoed Chaam was performed on the Karma Tekchenling monastery premises, which was witnessed by the Chief Minister, other dignitaries and visitors.
Tamang also addressed a large gathering near the Cho Dzo Lake where he extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Pang Lhabsol and Indrajatra, another festival celebrated by the Newar community of Sikkim.
The Chief Minister highlighted the significance of the Pang Lhabsol festival which pays obeisance to Mount Kanchenjunga and mother nature, and prays for the protection and success of Sikkim in all spheres.
The Chief Minister said that such festivals should be vigorously promoted at the global arena as they showcase the rich Sikkimese tradition and culture which, in turn, has the potential to attract tourists at large. He also underscored that tourism is one such sector which can bring about investment and profit along with increased entrepreneurship and local employment, thereby boosting the economy of Sikkim.
In the Pang Lhabsol festival, Mount Kanchenjunga regarded as a sacred peak in the Himalayan State is worshipped as the guardian deity of Sikkim by Lepcha and Bhutia tribes.
