71st Jorethang Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026 inaugurated with traditional grandeur

NAMCHI, (IPR): The 71st Maghey Sankranti Mela 2026 was formally inaugurated at Jorethang on Wednesday with traditional fervour and festive splendour, marking the vibrant commencement of one of the region’s oldest and most cherished celebrations.

Governor Om Prakash Mathur graced the occasion as the chief guest and officially declared the Mela open, in the august presence of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who attended as the guest of honour.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, cabinet ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, political secretary and press secretary to the Chief Minister, advisors, chairpersons, members of NJNP, heads of departments, deputy collectors, superintendents of police, additional district collectors, additional political secretary, officers on special duty, heads of offices, other dignitaries, and a large gathering of people from across the State. 

Anandita Rai of Little Angels Academy, Jorethang, was also present as a special guest. An orange belt holder in Karate-Do, she has earned distinction by securing nine gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal at the national level.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Om Prakash Mathur stated that the Maghey Sankranti Mela celebrated at Jorethang is not merely a festival, but a living symbol of timeless culture, tradition, and social unity. He remarked that the Mela represents the eternal bond between nature’s seasonal transitions, the Sun’s northward journey, and human life.

Recalling his experiences from previous years, the Governor described his participation in the evening aarti at the sacred confluence of the Rangeet and Ramman rivers as a divine and unforgettable experience. He further noted that the celebrations reflect a beautiful confluence of collective enthusiasm and spiritual devotion.

Speaking on the spirit of Sikkim, the Governor observed that the Maghey Sankranti Mela stands as a fine example of harmony, brotherhood, and unity in diversity, bringing together people of different castes, languages, religions, and cultures on a common platform to share their traditions, art, music, and cuisine.

The Governor congratulated Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for his continuous efforts in promoting and preserving the State’s rich historical and cultural heritage. On the occasion of the 71st Maghey Sankranti Mela, he extended his warm greetings to all communities of Sikkim who have been celebrating this festival with joy and devotion for centuries.

Concluding his address, the Governor lauded the Maghey Sankranti Mela Committee for maintaining a fine balance between tradition and modernity while fulfilling its responsibility of preserving, promoting, and developing the State’s cultural heritage. 

He expressed his appreciation to the organising committee and all contributors for the successful conduct of the Mela and conveyed his blessings, wishing that Maghey Sankranti bring happiness, peace, health, prosperity, and renewed energy to all.

The day also witnessed the release of the book ‘Smarika: Maghey Sankranti Mela 2025’, which documents the events and activities of the previous year’s celebration and serves as a valuable archival record of the festival.

During the programme, certificates of merit and awards were presented by the Chief Minister to the position holders of the painting competition organised by the Motor Vehicles Division, Jorethang, under the Transport department. The competition, held under the theme ‘Sadak Suraksha, Jeevan Raksha’, aimed to promote road safety awareness and responsible road behaviour through creative expression.

Certificates of merit were also awarded to position holders in various disciplines including cooking, cloud computing, beauty, and healthcare under the India Skills Competition 2025. The winners, selected at the State level, will represent Sikkim at the regional-level competition.

In the sporting events held as part of the celebrations, the first quarter-final match of the 11th All India Chief Minister’s Gold Cup Football Tournament was played between Red Panda FC (Sikkim) and Church Boys Nepal. Red Panda FC emerged victorious with a 2–0 scoreline, and Kwane Junior of the winning team was adjudged Man of the Match.

Similarly, the final match of the State-Level Inter-Constituency Football Tournament was contested between 08 Salghari-Zoom and 10 Poklok-Kamrang constituencies. Team 10 Poklok-Kamrang clinched the tournament title. The Man of the Tournament award was conferred upon Dilli Ram Sanyasi of Salghari-Zoom, while Raj Kumar Sanyasi of the same constituency was awarded the Highest Scorer title. The Best Goalkeeper award went to Mr Wilson Lepcha of Poklok-Kamrang, and the Fair Play Constituency title was awarded to 22 Namcheybung.