‘Festivals are a feature of all major religions!’
And if you want to get a glimpse of the religions of Sikkim, come to Jorethang!
Located at an altitude of 300m, Jorethang, a major town in South Sikkim, sprawls on the foothills below which River Rangeet flows. This serene town is situated on the way to Pelling and is known for its Akar Suspension Bridge. Jorethang is a place for those who seek an escape from hustles and bustles of the city life.
By Air: The nearest airports are Bagdogra Airport near to Siliguri and Pakyong Airport near to Gangtok.
By Rail: New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) is the closest railhead, which is around 125 km from Gangtok. And then you can opt for a shared cab to reach Jorethang.
Make your trip comfortable by staying in the luxury hotels in Gangtok, Sikkim when you are planning a vacation to Jorethang.
By Road: There are many shared jeeps to Pelling via Jorethang. So you can easily reach Jorethang.
Of course, January is the ideal time to Jorethang due to Maghe Mela Celebration.
One of the most charming cultural festivals of Sikkim, Maghey Sankranti Mela is celebrated with extreme grandeur at the picturesque Jorethang every year. Uncountable tourists from different corners gather at this festival to be part of its endless array of events.
Who looking forward to an insight into unmatched cultural treasures of North East India, this festival is a must-attend!
Maghey Mela has been held at Jorethang from the year 1955 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, which marks the beginning of the holy month of Magh in the Hindu calendar. It is said that-
•A number of devotees flocking here to take a sacred dip in Teesta and Rangeet River.
•The people of neighboring towns like Kalimpong, Siliguri, and Darjeeling in 1955 decided to organize a small fair where they could easily sell off their local handicraft products at reasonable prices.
•What merely started off as a small scale festival approximately 50 years back has today grown into an enormous tourist-centered attraction.
Dotted with colorful events &programmes, Maghey Mela is a unique mix of age-old cultures and modern-day entertainment.
The festival commences on January 14th every year and provides for a 3-day cultural program comprising of traditional folk-fare, authentic Sikkimese cuisine and a number of stalls of state’s beautiful handloom products.
Maghey Mela includes various extraordinary cultural programmes, food shows and sports competitions like-
•Archery
•Para-gliding
•Trekking
•Hot air ballooning
•And River Rafting
The most iconic feature of this meal is showcasing handicrafts and artwork of the local Sikkimese artisans that aims at bringing the brilliant craft of these skilled workers.
Though now-a-days the Maghey Mela is mainly focused on promoting tourism in the state, it still retains its old-world charm with thousands of devotees gathering at the confluence just to take a holy dip and perform religious rituals.
Although there are few hotels available in Jorethang, it is recommended to choose the hotels in Gangtok, Sikkim for a comfortable stay. These hotels not only offer you a comfortable stay but also provide you with a wide range of amenities.
If you are a music lover, you are sure to be enthralled by some great performances in Maghey Mela by renowned musicians who are often invited by the festival committee to entertain the audience.