The Saga Dawa festival also known the Triple Blessed Festival is an auspicious month for the Sikkimese Buddhists. During this time prayers are held throughout the month in various monasteries. The main celebration falls on the full moon of this 4th month of the Tibetan calendar which is celebrated as Buddha Purnima across India.
As per belief ,Lord Buddha was born on this sacred day, a day when Buddha attained Enlightenment and achieved nirvana. The day is observed with a colourful procession in Gangtok as well as in other places of Sikkim where monks play musical instruments and devotees take part in the procession carrying holy texts, portraits and statues of Lord Buddha. The streets are crowded with local people who gather to receive blessings by touching their heads with the Holy Scriptures.
Saga Dawa festival is known to be one of the most significant and biggest festivals of Sikkim which is celebrated in a grand manner every year. With various religious ceremonies and street processions the Saga Dawa festival provides a beautiful and colourful Visual experience to onlookers .
As per historical belief , Saga Dawa or the Triple Blessed Festival is known to have a history dating back to past many centuries, but the festival’s date was officially formalized at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950. As per reports this festival is celebrated across many countries differently and with different names; it is celebrated as “Saga Dawa” by the Tibetans and Sikkimese while South East Asian countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka celebrate it as “Vesak Day”. And it is known as Buddha Purnima across India except in the North Eastern regions.
Every year the grand celebration of Saga Dawa festival is held on the full moon of the 4th month of Buddhist lunar calendar, which falls during the end of May and early June according to English calendar. During the celebration different rituals are religiously followed which includes reading “Kajur Texts” which are holy scriptures and also they light butter lamps during the entire month of celebration. During the day of final procession, large number of devotees gather on the streets of Gangtok to receive blessings and offer their gratitude to the lord.
