Tashiding is a small hamlet enroute to Yuksam located at a distance of 25 Kilometers from Gyalzing, the district     headquarters of west Sikkim. The village lies at     elevation of 4500 feet and is situated between the two rivers Rangeet and Rathong. The literal meaning of the word Tashiding is “The Devoted Central Glory”. A special mention of Tashiding Gompa (Monastery) is a must, the monastery which follows the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism established in the year 1641.
Tashiding monastery is famous for its Bumchu festival. Every winter, the Bumchu or ‘sacred water ritual’ of Tashiding is held on the full moon night of the first month of the lunar calendar, usually falling in February or early March.
On this occasion, pilgrims from all over Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal converge onto the monastery of Tashiding with the hope of obtaining a few drops of the Bumchu water, held to be an elixir of long life and contain the seed to enlightenment. This sacred water festival is the monastery’s main annual event. Thousands of devotees visit the sacred celebration and an endless train of people can be seen from midnight until the next day waiting for their turn to receive the holy water. Devotees camp around the monastery with families and friends. A good number of makeshift shops come up catering to the thronging crowd along the trail to the monastery. The ritual has been held by the monks of Tashiding since the year 1646.
The Bumchu and its sacred water are kept in a miniature mansion (mchod bsham) under lock and seal of the  lama committee of Tashiding. Every year, a special recitation is conducted and the seal is checked by the high officials and lamas before the Bumchu is taken out of its mansion. The Bumchu is opened during the night of the 14th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, and three cups of water are taken from it and replenished with three cups of water. Previously, the first cup was meant for the Royal Family but now it is offered to the dignitaries and guests, the second is for the lamas and the third is distributed among the pilgrims on the day of the full moon. The three cups are replaced with water brought from Rathong Chu, which is also considered a blessed river.
After long hours of prayer the sacred pot containing holy water is opened by the monks of the monastery. The water level in the pot is said to hold the fortunes of Sikkim for the year ahead, a belief since ancient times. Should the pot be almost dry then a devastating famine looms ahead. A brimful of water likewise portends turbulent times. It is only when the pot is half-full that peace and prosperity is signified. This water is then distributed to the devotees who wait in queue for long hours. Once again, the pot is filled with river water and then sealed to be opened only at the next Bumchu festival. In brief, the seed of enlightenment is obtained by taking a drop of this Bumchu water thereby all the distress and evil spirits and un toward happenings are removed and  prosperity and fulfillments are rewarded in this life.
Lha ri nying phu or ‘the old cave of God’s     hill’ is located north of Tashiding where one can drive to the village of Labdang and then trek to this site. The Sinon Monastery built in the year 1716 is located at a distance of 10 km from Tashiding. The sacred chortens of Tashiding are famous with Buddhist pilgrims. It is believed that even a slight glimpse of the monastery can cleanse mortals of all sins. There are a large number of oranges orchards and cardamoms plantations around Tashiding which can be visited from here.