Sikkim govt. organized a two day programme to celebrate the “Commemoration of the 50th Year of the First Successful Expedition to the Mt. Khangchendzonga and Pang Lhapsol Festival from 17th to 18th September at Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, India. The festival was inaugurated by the chief guest – Honable Chief Minister of Sikkim Dr. Pawan Chamling. There were delegates from Russia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Switzerland, India, Slovenia and Nepal.

Different activities like talk programmes, dance competitions, sightseeings, slide show by Mr. George Band were held during the two festival.
Pang Lhabsol Festival: Popularised by the third Chogyal of Sikkim, Chakdor Namgyal, the snowy range of Kanchendzonga is worshipped for its unifying powers. This festival marks the signing of the treaty of brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias by Kye Bhumsa and Thekong Tek, when the local deities were invoked to witness the occasion. In fact ‘ Pang’ means witness. On this day, the guardian deity is portrayed by masked Lama dancers as a fiery re-faced deity with a crown of five skulls, riding a snow-lion.

This festival is held on the 15th day of the 7th month of the Lunar Calendar corresponding to the month of August and September.
The three-day gala affair marking the festival for this year started from 16th September’05 at Ravangla, whereas in Gangtok the festival started from 17th September’05. What made the festival even special this year was that it also doubles up as the first commemoration of the 50 years of the first successful ascent of Mt. Khangchendzonga.

On 18th September’05, the Sikkim Tourism along with the Phang Labsol Committee and Sikkim Association of Adventure Tour Operators (SAATO) , held a programme at Chintan Bhawan to mark the 50 years elebration of the first successful ascent of Mt. Khanchendzonga. The programme began with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Minsiter of Sikkim Dr. Pawan Chamling, chief guest of the day, followed by a welcome speech by the Tourism Secretary Mr. AK Srivastava.

The highlight of that day was a talk delivered by the first climber to Mt. Khangchendzonga, Mr. George Band and a slide show on Mt. Khanchendzonga and the first summiteers to the sacred peak. The second day of the celebration was also comprised of a film show on the first successful Indian Army Expedition, led by Col. N. Kumar to Mt. Khangchendzonga in 1977. Later followed the release of the first day cover, stamp booklets etc. and a book authored by Col. N Kumar by the chief guest.

After the release function, the Chief Minister and Tourism Minister addressed the gathering that included famous mountaineering personalities, both from India and abroad, who was felicitated after the address.

Photo sessions and inauguration of an exhibition of photos, philately and mountaineering equipments etc., at the lobby of Chintan Bhawan was followed.

The delegates from Nepal were – Mt. Ang Tshering Sherpa - President of NMA, Mr. Bhumi Lal Lama - 2nd Vice President of NMA, Mr. Narhari Bhandari – Secretary NMA, Mr. Ang Kaji Sherpa – Treasurer NMA, Mr. Ang J P Lama – Central Executive Board Member NMA, Mr. Bijay Gurung – Central Executive Board Member NMA, Dr. Hari Prasad Shrestha – Central Executive Board Member NMA, Mr. Sarki Tamang – Central Executive Board Member NMA, Mr. Bijaya Pradhan – Executive Chairman of Dream Nepal Travels & Tours Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Nga Temba Sherpa - Mt. Kanchendzonga Climber, Mr. Phyinjo Sherpa - Mt.Kanchendzonga Climber, Mr. Pemba Gyalsen - Mt. Kanchendzonga Climber, Mr. Keshav Shrestha - Manager, Sky Bridge Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd. and Mr. Subash Ghimire - Asst. Manager Reservation - Buddha Air.