Bhumchu

Bhumchu (Bhum=pot; Chu=water) is a Buddhist festival celebrated to predict the future. In this water stored in a vase is opened during the festival by the lamas who inspect the water level. If it is filled to the brim, the following year will be filled with bloodshed. If it is empty, famine will follow, and if it is half-filled, a prosperous year will follow. Once inspected, the lamas fill the vase with fresh water from the river and seal it for the opening in the following year. Part of the water is distributed among the devotees.

The festival falls in February/March. It takes place at the Tashiding Monastery in Sikkim. [ [http://sikkim.nic.in/sws/tashiding_mon.htm Tashiding Monastery ] ]

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