Sikkimese Masked Dance Festival

Kagyed dance is the traditional dance that takes place during the dance festival in Sikkim, in December. It is practiced or performed as a prayer offering to the eight Kagyed Gods and Goddesses.

Kagyed Cham, Source : Google

Celebrated by the Buddhists during December, Kagyed is the colourful masked dance of Sikkim, which is performed for several days as a prayer offering in the name of eight Tantrik Gods and Goddesses commonly called Kagyed. The lamas perform these dances in Old Rumtek Monastery and Phodong Monastery to offer prayers to the deities to save human beings from the tormenting of evil spirits and to bless them. The celebrations start two days before the day of prayers and hundreds of monks flock to the area, dressed in traditional attires with ceremonial swords and masks. The dancers then with many musical instruments like drum and horns. They coordinate with each other in groups and perform movements of various animals. The dance markes the end of the year and beginning of the next. It is performed to ensure that the new year will remain free of any evil forces. The dance is performed on the 28th and 29th day of the 10th month of the Tibetan Calendar. Kagyed originally means the worshiping of the eight Tantric Gods of Tantric Buddhism. Kagyed Chham comes from Bhutia origin. ‘Ka’ means ‘oral transmission’, ‘Gyed’ means eight and ‘Chham’ means ritualistic dance. There are other aspects of the rituals, as well. These include the burning of effigies made up of wood, and paper. These effigies symbolize evil forces.

Kagyed Cham is only one of the many ritualistic dances that take place during the festival. There are other dances, such as Cymbal Dance, Tshamche Dance, Shyak Dance, Dhur Dance, Black Hat Dance, etc. It is a spectacle to look out for. Tourists along with devotees gather from all over India and across the globe to witness this colourful dance festival.