Rankey Mela 2026 Concludes in Namchi After Six Days of Culture and Rural Sports

Rankey Mela 2026 concluded in Namchi on today after six days of cultural celebrations focused on Sikkim’s traditions and community life. The festival began on July 12 and featured cultural performances, traditional arts and rural sporting events, drawing large crowds from across the region.

The closing ceremony was attended by Minister for Buildings & Housing and Labour Departments Bhim Hang Limboo as the chief guest. Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Rajkumari Thapa was present as the guest of honour. Also participating were senior officials including the District Collector and the Senior Superintendent of Police, along with representatives from line departments and members of the Rankey Mela Celebration Committee.

Chief guest highlights growth and youth opportunities

In his address, Bhim Hang Limboo said Rankey Mela has grown into one of the state’s most prominent cultural festivals. He attributed the festival’s increasing popularity to support from the State Government led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. Recalling how the mela used to be smaller during his college days, he pointed to continued efforts since 2019 to preserve cultural heritage while also creating opportunities for young people, entrepreneurs and local communities.

The chief guest also mentioned that several infrastructure projects are under way across Namchi. He linked these initiatives with improvements in healthcare facilities and said they reflect the focus on inclusive development and improving people’s quality of life.

A week-long mela brings economic activity to local businesses

Satish Chandra Rai, the Area MLA-cum-Patron of the mela committee, said the historic Rankey Mela has been developed into a week-long celebration with guidance from the Chief Minister. He said the event helped sustain local culture and also supported economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, self-help groups, artisans, traders and tourism and hospitality stakeholders in Namchi district.

As part of the closing programme, certificates of appreciation were given to representatives of tour and travel agencies and journalists from several cities, including Bihar, Kolkata, Siliguri, Guwahati, Shillong, Jharkhand and Namchi. Local stakeholders and bird-watching guides were also recognised. The final day featured traditional rural sports, including results from the Rankey Run and competitions such as tug-of-war, with winners felicitated during the ceremony.