Maghe Sankranti Mela
Mid-January, from 1 Magh (about 14 January), for about a week
Maghe Sankranti marks the sun's entry into Makara (Capricorn) on the first day of Magh in the Nepali Bikram Sambat calendar, around 14 January. For Nepali-speaking families in Sikkim and Darjeeling it is a winter feast day: an early dip in a river, then sweet things such as chaku (molasses), til laddoos, sweet potato and yam, and sel roti. Many families also gather to eat together and visit relatives.
Jorethang, the river town on the Rangeet where the Darjeeling, Namchi and West Sikkim roads meet, has hosted a big Maghe mela for decades. The Sikkim government's press releases described the 2026 edition as the 71st, running from 14 to 22 January. Expect a fairground on the riverbank, stalls of local produce and handicrafts, performances by Limbu, Lepcha, Bhutia, Tamang, Rai and other community groups, and evening crowds.
It is a local festival rather than a tourist event, which is the point. Plan it as a half-day stop on the way from Darjeeling or Siliguri to Pelling, Okhrey or Namchi, and eat your way through the stalls. It is also a chance to see how South Sikkim's many communities celebrate side by side. Keep an eye on your belongings in the evening crowds, carry small change, and plan your onward jeep before the afternoon.
How to do it well
- Arrive early on 14 January to see the morning river dips before the crowds build.
- Book your onward jeep seat before noon: Jorethang's shared jeeps to West Sikkim thin out after about 1 pm.
- Try sel roti, chaku and yam from the stalls, and carry small change.
Questions people ask
Good to know
When is the Jorethang Maghe Mela in 2027
Maghe Sankranti falls on the first day of Magh in the Bikram Sambat calendar, usually 14 or 15 January, and the Jorethang mela opens around then and runs for about a week. The 2026 mela ran from 14 to 22 January per the Sikkim government. Expect similar dates in 2027 and check current status before you travel.
What do people eat at Maghe Sankranti in Sikkim
Winter energy foods: chaku (thick molasses), til (sesame) sweets, ghee, boiled sweet potato and yam, and sel roti, the ring-shaped rice bread fried in oil. Families eat together after a morning river dip. At the Jorethang mela you will find all of these at stalls, along with momos, chowmein and roasted corn.
How far is Jorethang from Darjeeling and Pelling
Jorethang is about 30 km from Darjeeling, roughly 1.5–2 hours by shared jeep or car, and about 50 km from Pelling, 2–2.5 hours via Legship. It also lies about 17 km below Namchi. That makes the mela an easy stop on a transfer day between Darjeeling and West Sikkim.
Is the Maghe Mela at Jorethang worth visiting for tourists
Yes, if you enjoy local fairs more than polished shows. It is a real community gathering with food, music, dances and trade stalls, and almost no one will be selling you a tour. It is crowded and noisy, so families with small children should go in the morning. Keep valuables close in the evening crowds.