Traditional wear in Gangtok
Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho)
Best worn at Rumtek Monastery
The traditional Bhutia bakhu (kho) — a wrap-around robe with a silk blouse and honju — warm and elegant Himalayan dress.
Best colours
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Price range
₹2,000–8,000
Comfort level
Medium
Best place
Rumtek Monastery
Footwear
Boots
Buy / rent nearby
Lal Market
Best colors
The story behind it
The bakhu (kho) is traditional Bhutia attire of Sikkim, worn with pride at Losar and festivals.
Styling guide
How to style this look
Accessories
Footwear
Boots — comfortable, on-theme and easy for cobbled lanes and steps.
Bag suggestion
A potli (drawstring) bag or a small embroidered clutch keeps the look authentic with your phone within reach.
Hair & makeup (optional)
Soft kajal, a bold lip and loose waves or a braided bun with a maang tikka complete the traditional look.
Best colour combinations
Where to shoot it
Best photo spots for this outfit
Spots in Gangtok where Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho) really works.
Great matchRumtek Monastery
- Best time
- Best time: Morning, when the sun lights the golden roofs and the courtyard is quiet; late afternoon for warm light across the valley.
- Best angle
- Best angle: Stand at the far side of the main courtyard and take a straight-on photo of the painted front of the prayer hall, since photos are not allowed inside.
Enchey Monastery
- Best time
- Best time: Morning, when light comes through the pines onto the painted front and the courtyard is quiet; on Cham days, the first hour of the dance.
- Best angle
- Best angle: Stand at the edge of the courtyard and take a straight-on photo of the monastery front, with the prayer flags and pines framing it.
MG Marg
- Best time
- Best time: Early evening, when the street lamps come on and the shopfronts light up; early morning for an empty promenade and clean lines.
- Best angle
- Best angle: Stand at one end in line with the central flower beds and take a straight photo down the street, so the lamps and shopfronts line up on both sides.
Shop the look
Where to buy or rent nearby
Typical price · ₹2,000–8,000
Wear it well
Practical tips for tourists
Overheating indoors in the heavy wrap
Carry boots or comfortable flats — you'll be on your feet a lot.
Great for a morning or late-afternoon shoot; pace longer days.
Golden hour light flatters rich traditional colours — plan the shoot early or late.
The full guide
Styling Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho) in Gangtok
Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho) is a traditional wear favourite in Gangtok, and looks its best in maroon, turquoise and gold. It pairs naturally with a shoot at Rumtek Monastery, worn with boots.
Comfort is medium, so plan your route accordingly. You can buy or rent it around lal market from about ₹2,000–8,000. Check the photo spots above for the best time and angle to capture the look.
Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho)
The traditional Bhutia bakhu (kho) — a wrap-around robe with a silk blouse and honju — warm and elegant Himalayan dress.
What follows is the practical brief for buying it and wearing it well.
🧵 What it is
The bakhu (kho) is traditional Bhutia attire of Sikkim, worn with pride at Losar and festivals.
This is heritage wear, and that changes the shopping brief - quality of make matters more than the label, the season, or the discount.
What distinguishes a good one is consistency - even work, honest materials, and a finish that looks the same on the second inspection as the first.
🎨 The colours and finishes
The colours most at home in this piece:
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Maroon
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Turquoise
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Gold
These shades sit comfortably next to each other, so whichever the shop has in the best make, the palette holds.
Worn with Coral-and-turquoise jewellery and Silk belt, the look completes the way the tradition intends.
👟 Wearing it around Gangtok
Footwear: Boots.
The comfort mark here is MEDIUM - comfortable with a little managing through a long day.
The Indian sightseeing day has its own grammar - off at the temple, off at the mosque, on again for the street - and this piece fits it with a little planning.
Movement matters as much as fit: sit, reach, and walk a few steps in the shop mirror before deciding, because a Gangtok day involves all three.
🚫 What to avoid
- Overheating indoors in the heavy wrap
Everything on this list is the difference between a piece that works and one that fights back.
🛍️ Where to buy it
In Gangtok: Lal Market.
Expect to pay in the region of ₹2,000–8,000.
Prices at traditional markets are commonly negotiable - quote politely, counter at a fair distance from the first number, and let the conversation find its level.
🧳 Bringing it home
Care is simple: fold along the original creases, keep it dry, and air it before the first wear. Natural fibres crease in a bag and forgive on the body, so a steamy bathroom often does the work of an iron.
Bought at the start of a trip, it earns its keep during it; bought at the end, it packs in twenty minutes. Either works - the only wrong day to buy it is the day with no time to choose.
✅ The one-minute checklist
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Palette: Maroon, Turquoise and Gold
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Footwear: Boots
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Accessories: Coral-and-turquoise jewellery and Silk belt
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Budget: ₹2,000–8,000
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Where: Lal Market
-
Avoid: Overheating indoors in the heavy wrap
Questions
Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho) — FAQ
Can I wear Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho) at Rumtek Monastery?
Yes — Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho) suits Rumtek Monastery beautifully. Comfort is medium, so you can explore at an easy pace. Pair it with boots for the walk up.
Where can I buy or rent traditional wear in Gangtok?
Try Lal Market in Gangtok. Expect roughly ₹2,000–8,000. Many shops rent festive outfits by the day, which is ideal for a single shoot.
Which colours look best for Gangtok photos?
Maroon, turquoise and gold photograph especially well against old stone in Gangtok — they stand out without clashing with the setting.
Is Sikkimese Bakhu (Kho) comfortable for sightseeing?
Comfort level is medium. It works for a relaxed day of sightseeing as long as your footwear is comfortable. Boots keeps it easy on the feet.