Streets of Gangtok come alive with devotion during 'Saga Dawa' festival celebrations

Hundreds of devotees thronged the streets in Gangtok for a sacred procession to celebrate the "Saga Dawa" festival. 

Amidst the chanting of the religious prayers by Buddhist monks and the beating of drums, people observed the traditional festival of Saga Dawa. 

The event is the most important occasion for Tibetan Buddhists as it commemorates the three important events in Lord Buddha's life, his birth, his achieving Enlightenment and his passing away after attaining Nirvana or deliverance and it is also called Triple Blessed Day. The events occurred on this day in different years of his life. 

People offered prayers and burned incense at Tsuk-La-Khang monastery and other various other monasteries. 

It is believed that good deeds done in the month of this festival deserve 300 fold in return. To mark the occasion, People donate money to religious orders, and monasteries and offer alms to the needy.