Commemorating Shakyamuni’s divine descent in Sikkim

Monks of Enchey Monastery and Guru Lhagang, Deorali light butter lamps, commemorating Buddha Shakyamuni’s descent from heaven, after teaching Abhidhamma to his mother.

Seven days after Maugalyama, Buddha’s disciple-representative on earth requested Lord Buddha to come back to earth, Buddha descended on a flight of golden stairs at a place called Sankashya, accompanied by Brahma on the right who descended on a crystal staircase and Indra on the left on a flight of silver stairs holding a jewelled umbrella.

Referred to as Lhabab Duechen or the auspicious day when Buddha descended to earth, this day is considered one if the four important days that commemorate four events in the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. As per the Buddhist calendar, the day falls on second day (waning moon) of the ninth month.

(Pics by Prabin Khaling ).