Tendong Lho Rum Faat 2026: Cultural and educational events scheduled from Aug 3 to Aug 8
The Tendong Lho Rum Faat 2026 Celebration Committee announced a week-long plan of cultural, educational and traditional programmes starting Aug 3, with the main
The Tendong Lho Rum Faat 2026 Celebration Committee has released a detailed schedule for this year’s festivities, beginning August 3 and leading up to the main celebration on August 8. The committee invited people across Sikkim to take part, saying the festival belongs to the whole State and is not limited to one community.
The announcement came after the committee’s fourth coordination meeting. The meeting was attended by Minister G.T. Dhungel, Minister Samdup Lepcha, and other officials, including representatives from the Sikkim Lepcha Association. Dhungel said the Chief Minister will attend the main programme at Manan Kendra on August 8 and thanked the committee for entrusting him with the responsibility of chairing the celebrations.
Knowledge series, open market and cultural programmes
According to the schedule, the celebrations will start on August 3 with a Knowledge Series at Chintan Bhawan. From August 4 to 6, an open market called Yongthum will be held at Ridge Park. The event is expected to highlight Lepcha culture through exhibitions, concerts, live cultural dance performances, and live band performances.
On August 6, a workshop will be organised for Lepcha language teachers at different levels, including primary, graduate and postgraduate teachers. On the same day, traditional prayers and rituals will take place at Mount Tendong in Namchi, under the supervision of the Namchi District Committee.
Focus on Lepcha musical instruments at Yongthum
The committee said a cultural programme is scheduled for August 7 before the main Tendong Lho Rum Faat celebration on August 8 at Manan Kendra. For Yongthum, the theme this year will be the preservation of endangered indigenous Lepcha musical instruments, with a focus on the Tungbuk and Puntong Palit (traditional flute). The organisers noted that only a limited number of skilled players remain for these instruments.
Ridge Park will host 30 stalls during Yongthum, with five Lepcha entrepreneurs from each of Sikkim’s six districts. The committee also plans a record-attempt style gathering on August 7 at 3 pm, when traditional Tungbuk and Puntong Palit players from across the State will come together for a joint performance. Organisers said the event supports artisans by giving them a platform to showcase traditional craftsmanship and create economic opportunities alongside cultural preservation.
