Puhgal Parim (पुह्गाल पारिम) is the main festival of the Bhujel community. It is also known as Udhauli (उधौली) festival. It is celebrated during the Mangsir Purnima (Full Moon) and marking the migration phase downwards towards the low-altitude regions when the winter season arrives. On the Puhgal Parim festival, the community bing a nature worshipper they offer thanks to mother nature and worship their ancestors (कुल पितृ) in Nichiling (Community Worship Place) for providing a harvest. During the festival the community used to offer foods made by newly harvested grains, pulses, roots and tubers, fruits and meat to their ancestors (कुल पितृ).
It is believed that from this day the winter season starts. So people, birds and animal migrate from cold regions to warmer regions. The Bhujel community perform a special kind of dance called Chudka and Ghatu in this festival playing various musical instruments like Takew, Rin etc. The main characteristic of this festival is a ritual dance call Chudka dance performed by large groups of Bhujel wearing their traditional attire.
Puhgal Parim is celebrated for 5 days from Mangsir Purnima to Mangsir Panchami marking the beginning of the farming year.
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Santa Bhujel
Salangdang
West Sikkim
