Pre-Tendong Lho Rumfaat celebration at Gangtok

Tendong Lho Rum Faat is considered to be one of the most ancient and significant festivals of Sikkim, India celebrated by the Lepcha community. To honour ‘Tendong Hill- the hill of the raised horn’, for saving the Lepcha Tribe from a great disaster and to pay homage to their ancestors, the festival is celebrated with great fanfare across the state and particularly in its prime venue Tendong Hill at Namchi.

According to a Lepcha folktale, Mother Goddess Itbu-moo created the iconic rivers Rangeet and Rongnyu in Sikkim. Known for their grace and deep love, they were admired throughout Mayel Lyang. “Rongeet” means “from where the Rongs originate,” and “Rongnyu” means “a respected Rong lady.”
The two river spirits met in secret, but when their love became public, they prayed to Kongchen Kongchlo (Mt. Khangchendzonga). They decided to leave their homeland and promised to meet again at Pozok (now called Peshok, near Darjeeling). With a race down to the distant plains, they set out on separate paths.
Unfamiliar with the land, they needed guides. Rangeet chose Tutfo, the mountain bird known for its speed, while Rongnyu asked Parilbu, the snake, to guide her.
Tutfo, however, turned out to be unreliable. Although fast, he got distracted by trees full of fruit, colourful flowers, and unusual insects. He often flew off to play with other birds or peck at the fruit, ignoring Rangeet’s reminders about their race. Parilbu, though slower, kept moving without distraction. As the plains neared, Rongnyu felt sure of her victory. Yet, as she waited for Rangeet, her joy faded into worry as he took longer and longer to arrive.
When Rangeet finally reached her, he was shocked to see Rongnyu already there. “Thi-see-tha (When did you arrive)?” he exclaimed, his pride deeply hurt. In anger, he stormed back toward the Himalayas. Roaring in rage, he caused havoc as he rushed home with unstoppable force. Rongnyu, heartbroken, followed him, but her attempts to calm him failed. Together, they surged back toward the mountains, flooding Mayel Lyang along the way.
People, thinking Itbu-moo, the Mother Creator, had sent the deluge as punishment, fled to higher ground. Animals, birds, and insects sought refuge, but only Tendong Hlo, a mountain near Damthang in South Sikkim, rose above the floodwaters. Miraculously, the mountain grew taller, protecting the creatures clinging to its slopes. Desperate, the Lepchas prayed to Itbu-moo, asking for forgiveness and mercy.
At last, Kahomfo, the partridge, descended on Tendong Hlo and offered mongbree (millet) to Kongchen Kongchlo. On behalf of all living beings, Kahomfo flung the grains toward the sky, pleading for relief. Moved by the bird’s prayers, Itbu-moo eased the floodwaters, and the destruction caused by Rangeet and Rongnyu came to an end.
The creatures safely descended from Tendong Hlo and returned to their lives. They honored the mountain that saved them, offering prayers and gifts each year during the festival of Tundong Lho Ruum Faat.
Rongnyu finally calmed Rangeet with her soft voice. He apologized for his anger and promised never to leave her side again. Touched by their devotion, Itbu-moo blessed their union, declaring that people would remember their love for generations. Together, they flowed peacefully to the plains of Bengal, never to part again. Rongnyu later became known as Thi-see-tha, or Teesta.
Inspired by the story of Rangeet and Rongnyu, the Lepchas visit the confluence of the two rivers to offer prayers to the spirits. To this day, Lepcha brides and grooms come to these rivers, wishing for a life as harmonious as that of the two river spirits.