On the8th of August, the Lepachas worship Mount Tendong which they believe saved their race from destruction by a great flood. While the Lepcha 'Bongthings' or priests worship Mt. Tendong in South Sikkim, the Lepchas in Gangtok take part in day long cultural and literary programmes in their traditional costumes
Description of the Tendong Lho Rum Faat:
It is believed firmly among the Lepchas that the Kanchenjunga Range has risen from the horns of a deity so that during the great flood, the Lepchas were saved. This was a mysterious event and since "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious"(Albert Einstein), the Lepchas worship the Mysterious Lord, as Khanchenzdunga. In the Lepcha Mythology, Kanchenjunga is spelt as Kong- Lo- Chu.
They worship the peak as a God and on the third Moon Month every year; they celebrate a festival in reverence to the Lord Kanchenjunga. They make a model of the Mountain in facade of their homes and worship it. It is exclusively made of nine stones and the people dance and sing with mask to get the blessings of the Lord.
It is believed that the well wishes of the Lord are indispensable for keeping them wealthy and healthy. There was no permission to get to the top of the Mountain because it is believed that the Supreme resides in the topmost peak, and if anyone surpasses he will be displeased. So, the expeditions were much to the dislike of the Sikkimmese, who perceive it as a worthless attempt to intervene the place of God. A fiesta, grand and unique, is held every year to indicate the ascension of the Lord for the safeguard of the Lepchas. This carnival is known as the Tendong Lho Rum Faat.
Time for the celebration of the Tendong Lho Rum Faat:
The festival called Tendong Lho Rum Faat is held on the 3rd Lunar Month each year at Sikkim.
