Mela With A Mission: Namchi Rankey Mela Poised For Tourism Transformation
Namchi Rankey Mela Celebration Committee is reviving the centuries old festival into monsoon tourist festival this year.
With the vision of attracting adventure and cultural tourist inflow in this serene and yet to be discovered part of Sikkim by 2027, the Mela Celebration Committee is building blueprint of the festival from this year itself.
The committee has taken its first step of collaborating the festival with the tourism agencies from other parts of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kolkata, Gujarat and Bihar.
Although, the cool hills of Namchi is in itself a haven for those living in the hot summer of the plains. The possibility of introducing paragliding in Sadam, and river rafting in Rangeet river are also being explored for the coming years.
Guided by the Chief minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), and the members of State Assembly and cabinet ministers, the committee may come up with the possible levels of attracting tourists from across the globe in Namchi Rankey Mela.
Namchi is also a pilgrimage to those who wants to walk the land where saint patron of Sikkim, Guru Padmashambhava, had walked before. It is also the land where the Hindu diety was found in his disguise (as Kirateshwar). The locals also believe that two out of three arrows shot by Lord Shiva had landed where Ngadak Monastery and Chardham Solophok stands today, with the last one falling in Rapdentse in Gyalshing District.
This year’s Namchi Rankey Mela, is also collaborating with the Motorcycle Clubs of Sikkim, possibly laying ground to host NERM 2026.
The culture of Namchi Rankey Mela is – taking a day off from all the daily chores, including machines and farming, especially farming, and enjoying the day.
But with the Government of Sikkim supporting the celebration this year, it may find its place in the state calender in the near future, depending on government interest and public reception.





