Lhabab Dhuechen

Lhabab Dhuechen in Sikkim is a festival that symbolizes the descent of Lord Buddha. The Lhabab Dhuechen at Sikkim celebrates Lord Buddha's descent from heaven ('Lha' in Sikkimese means heaven and 'Bab' implies descent).

In Sikkim, Lhabab Dhuechen is related to a Buddhist myth. Legends in Sikkim opine that the mother of Lord Buddha, Queen Maha Maya, did not survive after the birth of Lord Buddha. Therefore, after attaining Enlightenment at the age of 41, Lord Buddha went to heaven to peach his mother. It is said that Lord Buddha stayed in heaven for three months, along with thousands who followed him to heaven: in the heaven, Buddha gave sermons to his mother along with the other celestial beings.

During his abode in heaven, Lord Buddha had left one of his disciples on earth, who after the completion of three months, went to heaven to call Lord Buddha. As the disciples of Lord Buddha, who were stationed on earth, could not bear the long separation of Lord Buddha, Maudgalyayana went to heaven to call the Lord on earth. The Lords of the heaven were unwilling to leave Lord Buddha, but due to Maudgalyayana's request Lord Buddha ascended back to this earth.

In Sikkim, Lhabab Dhuechen celebrates the descent of Lord Buddha to earth. Moreover, during this festival, Sikkim comes alive with a lot of festivities and events. Thus, it can be said that the Lhabab Dhuechen of Sikkim is among the most important festivals of the Buddhists.