In Kalimpong festivals celebrated by varied cultures and through their special rituals. Most of the Hindu and Tibetan festivals follow the lunar calendar and so the date of the festival does not fall on the exact date the next year. Some of the festivals celebrated in Kalimpong are as follows:-
During the month of Kartik in the Bikram Sambat calendar (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Dasain festival is also known as the Durgapuja.
In several parts of Kalimpong, Dashain is the only time of the year when people receive a set of new clothing. Likewise, in poorer families, the animal sacrifice is eagerly anticipated since it might be the only animal protein the family would eat all year.
In Kalimpong alone more than 50 pandals are set up, all clamouring for the admiration and praise of the populace. The city is adorned with lights. People from all over the country visit the city at this time, and every night is one mad carnival where thousands of people go 'pandal-hopping' with their friends and family.
In recent times, Dashain has become commercialized, with industries sponsoring events around the festival to sell goods.
Already 80 per cent of the hotel rooms in town are booked. “Many of the visitors are parents of students in different residential schools in Kalimpong.
Students participate in the “fest” in large numbers. The marching band display by school contingents is one of the highlights of the programme. All education institutions remain closed for three days. The last day is to allow students to rest after weeks of toil.
A special committee, comprising people from various walks of life, oversees the preparation of the celebrations. The fest met under the leadership of renound personality of this place.
All the events, including football matches, are held at the Mela Ground over two days. However, only a lucky few hundreds manage to get in the ground, the remaining lot flood every nook and cranny of the town. Such is the rush that vehicles are not allowed to enter the town.
Christmas is the most important festival Christians families in Kalimpong. Christian families in Kalimpong decorate banana or mango trees instead of traditional pine tree. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers. As a part of their celebration they give Christmas gifts to their family members and token of money to poor people as charity. People decorate their houses and churches with poinsettia flowers for the midnight mass. In South India, the Christians put small clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses at Christmas, just as the Hindus do during their festival called Diwali. The Christians play carol (singing party) with their family and friends. They visit to their relatives and friends homes and play till late night.
People of Kalimpong start their festival with large procession throughout the town and ends in Shakti dham in Mela ground. People from different communities reach here to celebrate this festival. They organize different cultural programs according to their caste and community.
Dashain / Durgapuja
During the month of Kartik in the Bikram Sambat calendar (late September and early October), the Nepalese people indulge in the biggest festival of the year, Dashain. Dashain is the longest and the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar, celebrated by Nepalese of all caste and creed throughout the country. The fifteen days of celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. Dasain festival is also known as the Durgapuja.In several parts of Kalimpong, Dashain is the only time of the year when people receive a set of new clothing. Likewise, in poorer families, the animal sacrifice is eagerly anticipated since it might be the only animal protein the family would eat all year.
In Kalimpong alone more than 50 pandals are set up, all clamouring for the admiration and praise of the populace. The city is adorned with lights. People from all over the country visit the city at this time, and every night is one mad carnival where thousands of people go 'pandal-hopping' with their friends and family.
In recent times, Dashain has become commercialized, with industries sponsoring events around the festival to sell goods.
Tihar/ Deepawali
Tihar, the festival of lights is one of the most dazzling of all Hindu festivals. In this festival we worship Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth. It heralds the month of Kartik (October/November) starting with Kukur Puja-Narak Chaturdashi.Independence Day
Independence Day celebrations is the hill town’s biggest “festival”. Kalimpong is unique in that it celebrates the occasion on two days: August 15 and 16. The “festivity” is held on such a large scale that even people from neighbouring towns gather here to witness the spectacle.Already 80 per cent of the hotel rooms in town are booked. “Many of the visitors are parents of students in different residential schools in Kalimpong.
Students participate in the “fest” in large numbers. The marching band display by school contingents is one of the highlights of the programme. All education institutions remain closed for three days. The last day is to allow students to rest after weeks of toil.
A special committee, comprising people from various walks of life, oversees the preparation of the celebrations. The fest met under the leadership of renound personality of this place.
All the events, including football matches, are held at the Mela Ground over two days. However, only a lucky few hundreds manage to get in the ground, the remaining lot flood every nook and cranny of the town. Such is the rush that vehicles are not allowed to enter the town.
Maghe Sankranti
Maghe Sankranti is the beginning of the holy month of Magh, usually the mid of January. It brings an end to the ill-omened month of Poush (mid-december) when all religious ceremonies are forbidden. Even if it is considered the coldest day of the year, it marks the coming of warmer weather and better days of health and fortune.Fagun Purnima (Holi)
The ancient Hindu festival of Holi falls on late February or on early March. Allegedly named after the mythical demoness Holika, it is a day when the feast of colours is celebrated. The festival is of a week. However, it's only the last day that is observed by all with colours.Christmas
The festival of Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and conveys his message of love, tolerance and brotherhood. It's a celebration of humanity and mankind.Christmas is the most important festival Christians families in Kalimpong. Christian families in Kalimpong decorate banana or mango trees instead of traditional pine tree. They also light small oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations and fill their churches with red flowers. As a part of their celebration they give Christmas gifts to their family members and token of money to poor people as charity. People decorate their houses and churches with poinsettia flowers for the midnight mass. In South India, the Christians put small clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses at Christmas, just as the Hindus do during their festival called Diwali. The Christians play carol (singing party) with their family and friends. They visit to their relatives and friends homes and play till late night.
Chaite Dashain
Chaite Dashain regarded as the second Dashain which falls around March-April month for every year. Chaite Dashain epitomizes the victory of divine forces over evil. Goddess Bhagawati is worshipped during this festival with animal sacrifices offered to her.People of Kalimpong start their festival with large procession throughout the town and ends in Shakti dham in Mela ground. People from different communities reach here to celebrate this festival. They organize different cultural programs according to their caste and community.
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