Kagyed Dance

--> Kagyed Dance, locally known as Kagyed Chaam, is an annual celebratory dance festival that is observed by the Buddhists of Sikkim.   It falls on the 28th and 29th day of the tenth month according to Tibetan calendar, which according to English calendar falls in the month of December.  The festival is held in high regards by the locals as well as travellers from across the globe, who believe in the teachings of Buddha and consider witnessing the Chaam as an eternal blessing.   In the honour of Kagyed-eight tantrik Gods and Goddesses, the monks performs dances and sing songs at the monasteries, specifically at Old Rumtek Monastery, Phodong Monastery and Tshuklakhang Palace Monastery, and offer prayers to the deity for the well being of all sentient beings and to ward off evil.    The celebrations commence two days prior to the onset of the Losoong. Monks elaborately dressed in traditional attires with ceremonial swords and masks swaying to the rhythm of echoing drums and trumpeting horns in graceful co-ordination depicting tales from Buddhist mythology, notably the chronicles of Guru Padmasambhava and his powers,  remains as a major attraction of the festival.  The festival concludes with the burning of effigies made of flour, wood and paper.   Religiously, Chaam is considered to be a symbol of victory and it is believed that one who witnesses the Chaam is blessed with good health and prosperity.  The history of Chaam dances dates back to the times of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim, who is said to have performed this dance to a vanquish a demon from this holy land.  Elaborate get up of monks, clothed in ornate costumes, vibrant painted masks and laced with ceremonial swords and weapons, swaying to the rhythm of echoing drums and trumpeting horns, highlights as a major fascination for the tourists.