Tiji festival-Religious Treks

Tiji falls at the fall of May lasting three days and is celebrated in the Mustang District. An ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet, Upper Mustang offers the best blend of observation of nature and colorful culture during this important festival, Religious Treks. Tiji means the Chasing of the Demons in the local language is based on the myth of deity – Dorje Jono who battled against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang. The whole event and story is re-enacted in a colorful ceremony and feast.

This centuries-old festival still remains rarely seen by any outsiders due to the remoteness of the Upper Mustang.  It is observed in Lo Manthang of upper Mustang every year.  Two huge Thangkas are displayed during the festival. Over three days, the monks of Lomanthani Chhyode Gumba perform dances, one called “TsaChham” on the first day of the Tiji, and “Nga Chham” on the second day. On the third day final ceremony is performed by the Dhorje Sonam, and to perform this role, the monk has to go into seclusion for three months prior.  Dhorje Sonam hurls an effigy at Tsamppa, the representation of Ma Tam Ru Ta (demon father). It is believed that this act purifies the village from evil spirits. The Tiji festival shows the acts of the masked people who reenact the legendary tale of how Dorje Ono saved Mustang from his demon father who has hexed Mustang of water shortage. After days of costume dancing, religious music and feast, the Tiji festival ends in the third day.

Upper Mustang lies in the north of Kagbeni around the Kali Gandaki river and beyond the Annapurna massif. It resembles the Tibetan plateau with its yellow and gray rolling hills which were eroded by violent winds. It is a challenging trekking trail off the beaten track crossing also a difficult pass. The trails are rugged, cutting high into cliff sides and pass villages that have changed little over the last centuries. The spiritual trekking will take you to a promised land with views of Himalayan peaks dominated with the ridge of Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri accompanying you throughout the entire trek.

You require the permission to enter this Buddhist Kingdom of Mustang reflecting the medieval and unique ways of life of the Upper Mustang people. The religious treks also offers a view of the breathtaking experience of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range as well as the majestic Kali Gandaki River. You will get the opportunity to visit beautiful Buddhist monasteries and nunneries built in hostile mountain ledges and stern cliffs, greeted by the dry wind.

For your convenience, you will have to fly from Pokhara to Jomsom and start the trek from there. Flying through the deepest gorge in the world itself, is a great adventure – which runs between the Dhaulagiri and the Nilgiri mountains.

You will reach Lo Mantang after five days of trekking through Jomsom to Kagbeni, Chaile, and Geling. And after spending four days take a long way back to Jomsom for the return flight.

Tengboche Festival

Mani Rimdu Festival is one of the fascinating Himalayan Buddhist festivals in Nepal. It is celebrated in the Everest region. Observed in November, the festival is three days long, open to the public and performed in the Tengboche monastery. It is 9 days sequence of sacred ceremonies and series of empowerment culminating 3 –day public festival. It also includes meditation, called Drupchen. It concludes with a special blessing ceremony by resident Rinpoche to the general public followed by the world-renowned Mask Dances performed by the monks. The festival completes with 3 noisy and colorful days of public celebration.

Tengboche monastery is located at 3800 meters in Everest region and holds a deep history within it that you will come to know once you get there. The Tiji festival starts with mask dances performed by the monks depicting victory of good over bad. Before the Mask dances are performed, the monks prepare Sand Mandala, the Empowerment, Fire Puja etc. as the final preparation. Hundreds of local Sherpa of this region attend the special performance with due respect. The dances depict conquering and converting demons by Guru Rinpoche and the introduction of Buddhism into Tibet.

Mani Rimdu festival for centuries has been observed annually at the Tengboche monastery. The monks all dress up in a mask to represent the old ghosts. The festival starts with an elaborate depiction of the Mandala diagram made with color and that is being taken from the holy hills. It usually takes four days to draw the Mandala and then it is covered. The mandala is the center of the religious festival that lasts for the next 9 days. The program includes 16 dances with interludes of comical effects.

You will experience the combination of the adventurous feeling of trekking, mesmerizing views and breathe of fresh air of new unseen culture. You will witness the stunning view of the world’s highest peaks Mt. Everest, Amadablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, Thamserku, Kantaga etc. The tall rhododendron forest is the home of Impeyan Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal, while the huge vultures dominate the skies above. Yellow-billed chough and black ravens play on the wind. One can also see the thar, goral and musk deer grazing on the steps terraces. Rocks are carved into with prayer and a bright flag hung in high passes that carry the message of peace and compassion around the valleys. 

Gosaikunda Festival

Gosainkunda Lake is a holy lake located in Langtang region of Nepal. It is a placid lake that is considered holy by both the Hindus and Buddhists alike in their own senses. Located at an altitude of 4360m in Langtang national park in Rasuwa district, Gosaikunda Lake is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites, religious treks in Nepal. The lake is surrounded by mountains. The lake is accompanied by nine other lakes.

This can be categorized as a short, easy and scenic trek situated near from Kathmandu. The trek offers panoramic scenery of Mt. Langtang range, Himal Chuli 7893m, Mt. Manaslu 8156m and Ganesh Himal range as well as often chance to see Annapurna Range in a clear day. The trail ascends across the forests from Dunche or Syabru. Also, on the way one could pass through a monastery and a cheese factory. The views on the trail are splendid and the sights of the mountains and the numerous small and big lakes are captivating.

You can amplify the joy of trekking to this lake with the cultural and religious value by visiting the area Janai Purnima, a festival that falls in the month of August every year. Large numbers of devotees come to perform various religious activities and take the chilled holy bath in the lake. There is a large rock in the middle of the lake which is believed to be the remains of Shiva shrine. It is also said that a medium carries water directly from the lake to the tank at the Kumbheshwar Temple in Patan in the Kathmandu Valley.

There is a legend that the lake is believed to have formed from digging the land by the Lord Shiva’s trisul (tridents) after he drank poison from the Samudra Manthan (churning the ocean by demons and gods) and wanted cold water to quench the burning in his throat. The holy lake water is considered significant particularly during the Janai Purnima festival. 

Every year thousands of pilgrims, Hindus mostly particularly from Nepal and India visit the lake for the religious treks and festivals.  

Yartung Festival

Yartung is centuries old festival and is one of the well-known festivals in Nepal. The people of lower Mustang eagerly awaits the day of Janai Purnima that falls in the month of August. The festival lasts for four days and concluded with the Horse riding contests. Locals from Muktinath and Thakali communities sing, dance and drink. The local king actively participates and witnesses the happenings. Colorful dresses, decorations, and custom of Tibetan origin exhibit the different fantasy world within the country, expressing the ancient culture of high Himalayas.

Yartung is traditionally celebrated to mark the safe return horses and other livestock from the high mountain pastures. The men also take the event as the opportunity to demonstrate the strength and agility of their horses and their own ability in animal husbandry.

You can enjoy the superb trekking into high Himalaya in the Annapurna region and also attend the traditional grand Yartung horse racing festival. This religious treks has many fantastic elements to it. For those who have never been to Nepal or even to other central Asian countries, it is hard to describe the richness and sheer contrast of the culture in this part of the world. You will see sights both human and natural that will expand your horizon immeasurably.

Your journey begins from the classically exotic city of Kathmandu with its warm, bustling and colorful streets and calms quiet temples. Then you will drive up through the ascending lowlands towards the inconceivably large wall of the Himalayan range. Over the next few days, you will ascend up through small mountain villages, arguably the most interesting and spectacular part of the legendary Annapurna Circuit trek. After the conclusion of the religious treks, you will set off to return or head to additional adventurous trekking as per your package.