News & Announcement
Three-day 'Balihang Tongnam', celebration concludes at Yuksam
Gyalshing, November 1 (IPR): The three-day celebration of ‘Balihang Tongnam’, a major cultural festival of the Limboo community, concluded at Yuksam in Gyalshing district today.
Celebrated annually by the Limboo community, the festival was organised by the Balihang Tongnam Celebration Committee, 2026 with the objective of preserving and promoting the community’s rich cultural identity, traditions and heritage. The event also aimed to promote cultural tourism by showcasing the distinctive customs and traditions of the Limboo community along with those of other diverse communities of the State.
Minister for Building & Housing and Labour Department, Government of Sikkim, Mr Bhim Hang Limboo graced the concluding day as the chief guest.
Advisor to the Chief Minister (Press), Mr Birendra Tamling, was present as the guest of honour. Other dignitaries included Chairman of SABCCO, Mr JB Tamling, Former Minister Mr Mohan Gurung, former Chairman SPSC, Mr SB Mangyung, OSD Limboo Culture, Mr SP Mangyung, OSD to the Lok Sabha MP, Mr Nosang Muringla, OSD, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Mr Mingma Lepcha, OSD to Yuksam-Tashiding MLA, Mr Basant Tamang, and SDM Gangtok, Mr CS Limboo. Executives and members of various Limboo organisations, representatives of various other communities, Zilla and Gram Panchayat members, and local dignitaries were also present.
Upon arrival, the chief guest, accompanied by the dignitaries, offered prayers at the Mangheem situated near the venue and sought blessings from Peli-Phangsham and Tumyehang, the revered priests and spiritual leaders of the Limboo community.
The concluding day witnessed a series of cultural performances representing different communities of Sikkim, including Bhutia, Lepcha, Nepali, Rai and Limboo, reflecting the state's diverse cultural traditions.
In his address, the chief guest spoke briefly about the significance of Balihang Tongnam and extended warm greetings to the gathering, particularly the Limboo community, on the occasion of the festival. He also congratulated the celebration committee for organising the event on a grand scale. Highlighting various developmental initiatives of the State Government, he stated that under the pragmatic leadership of the Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, equal support, assistance and opportunities have been extended to all communities in Sikkim to preserve, promote and develop their respective cultures and traditions. He added that showcasing diverse cultural programmes and traditions would contribute towards promoting cultural tourism in the State. He said that every possible support and assistance had been extended to the community to preserve and strengthen its cultural identity. He further emphasised that the State Government, under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, has been extending support to all communities through various welfare schemes and initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting their cultural identities and traditions. Minister further emphasised the importance of communal harmony and unity in diversity, stating that these values remained integral to Sikkim.
Earlier, In his welcome address, Zilla Adhyaksha, Gyalshing, and patron of the celebration committee, Mr Ds Limboo, highlighted the significance of the festival in promoting cultural tourism in the region. He stated that the unique cultures and traditions of the Limboo community, along with those of other communities, serve as important attractions for cultural tourism. He added that showcasing diverse cultural programmes and traditions would contribute towards promoting tourism in the State.
The chief guest and other dignitaries also visited traditional exhibition stalls showcasing Limboo ethnic attire, cultural artefacts, traditional products and other aspects of the community’s heritage.
The three-day festival featured a range of traditional cultural performances, including Dhan Naach, Tam-Aokay, Hakparay Khyali, Poo-Haa-Samlo and Tumyehang Samlo. Traditional performances featuring Laringak-Namligay and several other cultural presentations added to the festive atmosphere.
On the occasion, the celebration committee felicitated several social contributors, achievers, representatives of various organisations and individuals for their contributions to society. Achievers from the Yuksam-Tashiding constituency and other fields were also recognised for their accomplishments.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Zilla Adhyaksha Gyalshing, Mr Ds Limboo and was jointly compered by Mr Temen Limboo and Ms Ikla Limboo. Panchayat Inspector Mr BS Subba proposed the vote of thanks.
The three-day celebration concluded on a high note with colourful cultural performances followed by a musical evening.
Celebrated annually by the Limboo community, the festival was organised by the Balihang Tongnam Celebration Committee, 2026 with the objective of preserving and promoting the community’s rich cultural identity, traditions and heritage. The event also aimed to promote cultural tourism by showcasing the distinctive customs and traditions of the Limboo community along with those of other diverse communities of the State.
Minister for Building & Housing and Labour Department, Government of Sikkim, Mr Bhim Hang Limboo graced the concluding day as the chief guest.
Advisor to the Chief Minister (Press), Mr Birendra Tamling, was present as the guest of honour. Other dignitaries included Chairman of SABCCO, Mr JB Tamling, Former Minister Mr Mohan Gurung, former Chairman SPSC, Mr SB Mangyung, OSD Limboo Culture, Mr SP Mangyung, OSD to the Lok Sabha MP, Mr Nosang Muringla, OSD, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Mr Mingma Lepcha, OSD to Yuksam-Tashiding MLA, Mr Basant Tamang, and SDM Gangtok, Mr CS Limboo. Executives and members of various Limboo organisations, representatives of various other communities, Zilla and Gram Panchayat members, and local dignitaries were also present.
Upon arrival, the chief guest, accompanied by the dignitaries, offered prayers at the Mangheem situated near the venue and sought blessings from Peli-Phangsham and Tumyehang, the revered priests and spiritual leaders of the Limboo community.
The concluding day witnessed a series of cultural performances representing different communities of Sikkim, including Bhutia, Lepcha, Nepali, Rai and Limboo, reflecting the state's diverse cultural traditions.
In his address, the chief guest spoke briefly about the significance of Balihang Tongnam and extended warm greetings to the gathering, particularly the Limboo community, on the occasion of the festival. He also congratulated the celebration committee for organising the event on a grand scale. Highlighting various developmental initiatives of the State Government, he stated that under the pragmatic leadership of the Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, equal support, assistance and opportunities have been extended to all communities in Sikkim to preserve, promote and develop their respective cultures and traditions. He added that showcasing diverse cultural programmes and traditions would contribute towards promoting cultural tourism in the State. He said that every possible support and assistance had been extended to the community to preserve and strengthen its cultural identity. He further emphasised that the State Government, under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, has been extending support to all communities through various welfare schemes and initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting their cultural identities and traditions. Minister further emphasised the importance of communal harmony and unity in diversity, stating that these values remained integral to Sikkim.
Earlier, In his welcome address, Zilla Adhyaksha, Gyalshing, and patron of the celebration committee, Mr Ds Limboo, highlighted the significance of the festival in promoting cultural tourism in the region. He stated that the unique cultures and traditions of the Limboo community, along with those of other communities, serve as important attractions for cultural tourism. He added that showcasing diverse cultural programmes and traditions would contribute towards promoting tourism in the State.
The chief guest and other dignitaries also visited traditional exhibition stalls showcasing Limboo ethnic attire, cultural artefacts, traditional products and other aspects of the community’s heritage.
The three-day festival featured a range of traditional cultural performances, including Dhan Naach, Tam-Aokay, Hakparay Khyali, Poo-Haa-Samlo and Tumyehang Samlo. Traditional performances featuring Laringak-Namligay and several other cultural presentations added to the festive atmosphere.
On the occasion, the celebration committee felicitated several social contributors, achievers, representatives of various organisations and individuals for their contributions to society. Achievers from the Yuksam-Tashiding constituency and other fields were also recognised for their accomplishments.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Zilla Adhyaksha Gyalshing, Mr Ds Limboo and was jointly compered by Mr Temen Limboo and Ms Ikla Limboo. Panchayat Inspector Mr BS Subba proposed the vote of thanks.
The three-day celebration concluded on a high note with colourful cultural performances followed by a musical evening.
