Tiji Festival: A Cultural Beauty of Upper Mustang

Published On : 17th Jan, 2023 By Adventure

Are you a cultural and adventure enthusiast and want to experience the same at a go? You should then consider going to the Tiji Festival in Upper Mustang in Nepal. It is a trekking adventure to Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang where you can explore and enjoy a wonderful cultural celebration. After a beautiful trekking adventure through the vast mountains, you reach to Lo Manthang to witness the festival. However, you have to plan the trip at the time of the festival since it happens once every year. This amazing festival falls in May every year and offers visitors a wonderful cultural immersion. The date for the festival this year has been announced and it’s taking place from 16-18 May. Check here the Upper Mustang Trek for Tiji Festival.

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What is Tiji Festival?

Tiji is a great and ancient cultural and spiritual celebration in Lo Manthang of Upper Mustang in Nepal. This annual festival observes traditional myths and Tibetan Buddhist rituals for three days in Lo Manthang. This unique Buddhist cultural festival marks the victory of one of Lord Buddha’s incarnations over a demon that lived on human beings and tried to destroy the world with storms and drought. The name of the festival Tenji, which is alternately called Tiji, comes from the Tibetan word “Tempa Chhirim” which means “prayer for world peace”. The sole purpose of observing this celebration is to pray for peace in the region and in the world. According to the Tibetan Buddhist legend the incarnation, Dorjee Sonnu, fought the demon, Man Tam Ru, and saved the whole region from destruction. This three-day-long festival enacts the story, of the troubles caused by the demon, the birth of Dorje Sonnu, and his battle with and victory over the demon, in form of ritual dancing. It is a great occasion where Buddhist monks from the Choedhe monastery of Lo Manthang organize and perform all the ritual dancing.

What happens at the Festival?

This three-day-long festival has a performance that enacts the story of the troubles caused by the demon. You can observe and enjoy the whole enactment of this religious and spiritual performance. You will see a never-seen-before cultural celebration that gives you a chance to understand the life of people living in the region. It is certainly a wonderful thing to see such a magnificent spiritual celebration in the remote wilderness of the mountains. Going on a tour during the Tiji festival in Upper Mustang is a great cultural escape. You will have a rare opportunity to explore and immerse in the unique cultural tradition of the Upper Mustang. The indulgence in Tiji Festival will bring you closer to the culture and lifestyle in the region. And you will also get to enjoy a beautiful trekking experience. It is certainly a wonderful mix of culture and adventure which you should go to in 2023. Let us know if you want to know more about the festival.