Gangtok, Dec. 19: The 298th birth anniversary of Teyongsi Sirijunga, the most revered saint of the Limbu community, was today celebrated at Martam, Hee-Bermiok in remote West Sikkim.

The Sukhim Yakthung Sapsok Sangjhumbo (Sikkim Limbu literary society) organised the ceremony.

A public holiday was also declared in the hill state on the occasion.

The daylong celebrations started with prayers at Yuma Mangkhim (Limbu temple) followed by a host of cultural programmes and competitions.

Historically, the venue is very significant for the community. It was here that the Limbu culture in Sikkim came into existence.

Teyongsi Sirijonga Singtheba, the pioneer of the Limbu script and language, lived in Hee-Bermiok. Historical evidence suggests that the Limbus were the earliest settlers among the ethnic Nepalis to settle in the hill state.

The community believes Sirijunga to be the incarnation of Maharaja Sirijonga Hang, who ruled Limboowan in Nepal for 32 years between 882 and 915.

Born into the Singtheba family at Yangwarok, Sinam village, in eastern Nepal in 1704, Sirijunga came to Sikkim in 1740 with eight of his disciples and made Martam, Hee-Bermiok their home.

He preached the Limbu religion to the people from adjoining villages.

A flat stone — chaplatey dhunga in the local Nepali language — sitting on which he preached still exists here, where a temple has now been built.

A cave is also located here, where Sirijunga is said to have lived in the 18th century.