NO "TOUR GROUP" LIMITATIONS
ANYWHERE
YOU WANT TO GO
WE TAKE YOU!
CHEMI
FESTIVALS IN TIBET AREAS
BUTTER - RELIGION
- HORSES - HARVEST
"No trip to Tibet is complete
without attending at least one festival!"
TIBETAN FESTIVALS
Tibetans love to gather, dance,
sing, and celebrate. Many of their festivals are planned
according to the lunar calendar. The most colorful and
electrifying sights in Tibet are its varied exotic
festivals. These festivities have their origins rooted in
folk traditions, religious celebration or traditional
cultural activities. The celebrations are often rituals,
farming events, horse-trading, races and competitions,
commemorations, celebrations, social gatherings or simple
amusement. You will see the reflection of Tibetan historical
roots, their religious mores and love of nature in their
colorful entertainment.
These festivals include the Tibetan
New Year and Shoton Festival, Butter Lamp Festival, Ganden
Festival, Saga Dawa
Festival, Horse Racing Festivals, Yarlong Cultural Festival,
Harvest Festival, Ongkor Festival, Bathing
Festival, Losar Festival or Tibetan New Year and Shoton
Festival. Festivals vary but most include traditional dance,
song and prayer. Please review the festivals below and
include a festival or two in planning your itinerary.
Festivals really allow you to see and hear the traditional,
sometimes ancient rituals, Tibetan pastime activities, and
lots of costumes!
It
is interesting to note that many
walls of Tibetan monasteries are covered with paintings and
masks of ghosts and demons. For novice travelers, these
deities belonging to Tibetan Buddhism might seem scary. Some
masks have dark faces and ferocious teeth, horrific facial
expressions, and are topped by miniature skulls and horns.
It's not what it seems. The masks are used to scare away
evil spirits when worn by dancing monks and lamas during
festival times.
Tibetan Buddhists believe
that the arrival of Buddhism to their land transformed these
threatening gods of the old Bon religion into benevolent
protectors. So leave your western ideas behind and join in
another world as a world traveler and observer,
understanding that even though other traditions are odd, our
traditions are odd to others. With this is mind, observing
these marvelous Tibetan traditions are a joy to behold. No
one here asks you to believe or change or accept. Tibetans
accept all sentient beings as possible previous relatives
which gives them an aura of love not often found.
Enjoy!
TIBETAN HORSE
RACING FESTIVALS
Gyantse Horse
Racing Festival
Litang, Ganzi
Horse Racing Festival
The horse
racing festival celebrated in Gyantse in usually held in
either May, June or July. Horse racing and archery began in Gyantse in 1408. During the
popular festival which includes horse races,
archery, and shooting on galloping horseback you will see
how much fun Tibetans can have.
Keep in mind that entertainment and picnicking
usually go on for a few more days after the festival itself. Ball games,
track and field events, folk songs and dances, and barter
trade are all extremely entertaining for the visitor.
Check out more about
Ghantse attractions.
Popularly held in early August
each year, the Litang Horse Racing Festival in the
South-western part of Ganzi, Litang is called the "High
Town" due to its average altitude of 4133 meters. The Maoya
grassland where the town and festival are situated means
"flat place as a bronze mirror" in the Tibetan language.
However, the tradition of the festival is to "pray around
the mountain", thus thousands of Tibetans wait for the grass
to become its greenest and just when the wildflowers are in
full bloom over a 10 day period they hold this marvelously
colorful festival. The folk attire alone is more than the
eye can hold, with full headdress of precious gems, gold and
silver. To celebrate the end of the harvest season, white
summer tents dot the lush green landscape, delicious taste
treats and yak butter tea are in abundance. Some even bring
their finest colorful tents, solar panels and decked out
horses.
The
racing horses often wear scarlet colors, embroidered belts
and decorated saddles with bronze bells. There are varied
races including, trekking, riding skills, long distance
bearing, and others, the most thrilling being the riding
skills when they almost jump off their horses or hang under
the belly of the horse upside down, or trying to shoot off
the side with one hand at a target, or picking up a
hada, or standing on the
back of a horse. These competitions are truly stunning and
breath-taking extravaganzas, not to be missed!
Not only are the horse races
extravagant, the cultural presentations, the Tibetan opera
and Tibetan folk dancing and singing, fashion shows and food
are a must-see event. It's standing room only, so come
early, get your tent set up, bring your tripod and your best
camera. These photos will be worth framing.
Jyekundo (Yushu)
Horse Racing Festival
Nagqu, Nakchu
Horse Race Festival
In July, colorful race horses and riders come from all over
Tibet to this ancient Tibetan town of
Jyekundo/Yushu to the
world's greatest equestrian event - the Yushu Horse Racing
Festival. This traditional event dates back to the glorious
Kingdom of Kham.
Luckily these riders don't come alone. In fantastically
colorful attire, the women can be more thrilling to look at
than the horse racing! The wonderful celebration of culture,
music and dance begins with an ancient religious sacrificial
ritual, a plant-burning ceremony to honor the gods. The lama
dance and prayers before the horse racing begins is a rare
treat. You'll really enjoy meeting monks dressed in their
red and golden robes from the local monasteries.
Riders with guns strapped
across their shoulders and long knives swinging from their
waste belts walk around the platform three times. Then the
celebration really takes off. With horse teams, dance, song,
traditional sports, archery, mounted-shooting,
hada presentations on
horseback, riding tricks, long distance racing, yak racing,
special rituals, and honor guards, this presentation is
dazzling, a must-see for any visitor to Yushu. As the
Bartang grassland becomes dotted with thousands of white
tents as the families and royals of Kham did for centuries,
visitors can experience the awesome flavor of this culture
by staying in a nomad tent. There are hotels in town, but
they are booked a year in advance, so make reservations very
early. Remember to carve out some time to enjoy the stunning
limestone and sandstone cliffs while hiking along a
pilgrimage route through Reshur Gou Valley, nearby.
In August each year there is an
important festival held in to golden grasslands of
Nakchu at
Nagqu.
Thousands of herdsman ride their horses packed with goods to
trade at the Nagqu Horse Race Festival. A city of tents sets
up a temporary town just outside (north) of Nagqu for
entertainment, competition, horse trading, recreation and
more. The local people call this
area "Zhong Yin Ka Duo" grassland.
As tens of thousands of nomads
gather to watch the thrilling horse racing, archery and
other demonstrations of unusual horsemanship, visitors can
mingle and "live" the culture of these fascinating Tibetan
people.
Dance troupes come from all over Tibet bringing their best
talent for their fascinating presentations of dance, opera
and song. The opening ceremony will take your breath away
before you are captivated by yak races, horse races,
tug-of-war contests, rock-lifting competitions, sgor-gzhas
(Tibetan group dance) and more.
Celebrating the heroes of the
Tibetan past, you will also enjoy the Tibetan drama
performed during the festivities. All in all, Nagqu is truly
one of the grandest of all horse racing festival in Tibet
proper. During this week of celebration, take a break and
enjoy Nam-Tso
Lake nearby. Learn more about Nagqu
and this Nakchu.
TIBETAN RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS &
CEREMONIES
Monlam Chenmo
(Great Prayer Festival)
It is the most colorful
festival of Lhasa. Monlam (als call the Great Prayer
Festival of Lhasa).
Monlam means "wish-path" - the
Buddhist path of helping others through kind prayers. The Great Prayer
Festival, from January 8 through 14 on the Tibetan
calendar (sometime in Feb, please verify), is the grandest religious festival in Tibet. It has
its origin in a prayer meeting structured at
Jokhang Temple by the honored Tsong Khapa, founder of the Gelukpa Sect, in 1409. Thousands of
monks from far and near will gather to perform rituals,
chanting, prayers, theological
debates and examination for Geshe, a doctoral degree in Buddhist
theology. Pilgrims will come from everywhere to
listen to sermons and do prostrations. The main purpose of
the Great Prayer Festival is to pray for the long life of
all the holy gurus of all traditions, for the survival and
spreading of the Dharma (Tibetan Buddhism doctrine) in the
minds of all sentient beings, and for world peace.
During this very important celebration, the exhilarating
festivals and entertainment range from dance, folk
activities like wrestling, weight throwing, horse racing and
even tug-of-war. Every city and town puts on celebrations
well worth attending. Also known as the 'Great Prayer
Festival', this is held midway through the first lunar
month.
Also remember, this festival
is also held at the Kumbum Monastery a few miles from
Xining. The Kumbum
(Ta'er) Monastery located in Rushar Township about 30
minutes from Xining, was founded in 1560 to commemorate the
birthplace of Tsongkhapa (founder of the Gelukpa school of
Tibetan Buddhism). It is also one of the six great
lamaseries practicing the Yellow Sect (Gelukpa) of Tibetan
Buddhism.
UPDATE:
The Great Prayer Festival at Kumbum begins on Feb.2, through
Feb.12.,2009
An image of Maitreya from the Jokhang
is carried around the Barkhor,
attracting enthusiastic crowds of locals, visitors and
pilgrims. With happy faces all around, it's a great way to
bring in the Tibetan New Year!
TIBETAN NEW YEAR - LOSAR
Truly a major celebration, beginning on New Year's Day on
the Tibetan Lunar calendar Tibetan homes will open their
doors with prayers, then fetch their first bucket of
drinking water of the year. From early morning people greet
each other with good wishes like "tashi delek" (long life).
Families get together for a celebratory dinner, prayers and
festivities.
To
commemorate and celebrate the advent of a new and hopefully
better year, Losar is celebrated for 15 days during the
months of December and January of the Tibetan calendar.
The main celebrations are held on the first
three days. On the first day of Losar, a beverage called
Changkol or Chhaang, a homemade rice wine is drank
from bowls. The second day of Losar is known as King's
Losar. Losar is traditionally preceded by the five day practice
of Vajrakilaya.
Vajrakilaya is one of the
most popular deities when it comes to destroying the
obstacles. Vajrakilaya, or kila, means something sharp, and
something that pierces--a dagger, basically. A dagger that
is so sharp it can pierce anything, while at the same time
nothing can pierce it. Guru Rinpoche achieved enlightenment
through practicing Yangdag Heruka, but he first practiced
Vajrakilaya to clean, or to clear the obstacles, and then,
through that, he achieved whatever he wanted to achieve. So,
Vajrakilaya is known for clearing the obstacles.
The Losar is a colorful festival marked with
numerous activities
including ancient rituals, Tibetan drama, incense
offerings, folk activities like wrestling, weight throwing,
tug-of-war and horse-racing - the stage fights between good and
evil. The dance of the Ibex deer and the dramatic battles
between the King & his ministers add to the joyous
atmosphere. Tibetans dress in their finest, meet their friends and relatives
and indulge in prayer and celebration. This festival is full of
music, dancing and merry-making. Truly this is the best time to
be in Lhasa, and the best time for your
budget, too.
The Festival of Banishing Evils
On December 29th on the Tibetan
calendar, Tibetans get together to drive away evil spirits.
Although this sort of activity is not unique to Tibet, the
sorcerer's dance performed in monasteries is truly
astonishing. Tibetans all around the land use this specific
day to do a through general house cleaning to get rid of the
misfortune of the past year, and sweep all the evil spirits
out the door. There are prayers for new blessings during the
day and every household will have a traditional dinner of
Guthuk. Torches and incense light and clean the patios and
compounds. Howling is heard everywhere, all Tibetans praying
together aloud for a new year free of bad spirits and
misfortune. If your guide is willing, this is a great
opportunity to meet the family and experience this
phenomenon at the local level. Check other festivals that
take place in winter and plan your
winter adventure.
Ganden Monastery Festival
On the 15th day of the 6th Tibetan
calendar month, during the Ganden
Festival, 25 precious articles belonging to the Ganden monastery
in Lhasa,
which are normally locked in their treasure house, are taken out
and displayed
in the main shrine hall. (Check to make sure this monastery is
still open - it was closed in 2008 by Chinese authorities.)
These articles consist of the images of the sixteen arhats, akshobhya, the secret assembly, the four great kings,
the upasaka and hashang image. A grand offering ceremony
accompanies the display and it is extremely interesting to
see all these treasures. Seeing the monks in their religious
activities, the dedication so virtuous and genuine, visitors
often feel spiritually uplifted.
Rekong Shaman Festival
Three hours from
Xining, over a
12,000 foot pass is Tongren (Rekong in Tibetan). Passing by
fields of yellow canola blossoms is breathtaking, but not
near as exciting as this festival. Held at varies times of
the year, depending on the Tibetan calendar, the temple at
Rekong hosts a festival-of-the-eyes extravagant religious
celebration.
Over
100 dancers in colorful and unusual traditional garb of silk
and otter fur and fabulous Tibetan boots performed a ritual
for two days, beckoning the temple deity, Shachung, to
predict the future through two shamans.
The shamans stroll among the
crowds at the most unexpected moments, catching people with
too much drink and scolding many about bad habits. To prove
their points, the shamans sometimes throw barley at the
locals, order others to stoke the fireplace with offerings
of food and drink. The great smoke that puffs out of the two
chimneys in a harmony of muted color, creates huge clouds
over the temple gate, right up to the gods.
If you're interested in
truly experiencing Tibetan culture at its epitome, this
would be the festival. Still able to practice these rituals,
the Rekong festival actively engages in its ancient beliefs
and rituals. Come, be a witness, before all this is gone or
turned into just a tourist show.
Tsong Khapa Festival
On the 15th of the tenth month of the Tibetan calendar,
the anniversary of the passing of Tsong Khapa, the
founder of Gelukpa Sect gives cause for both celebration and
respect. Tsong Khapa, whose name means "The Man from Onion
Valley" was a great scholar and teacher after he studied
from all the great masters. His main inspiration came via
the legacy of Atiśa.
This
celebration is called Ganden Angchuin in
Tibetan. On this day, butter lamps are lit and placed on the roofs of
monasteries and homes to honor this hero. Pilgrims chant sutras in praise
of Tsong Khapa. It's delightful to hear.
Saga Dawa Festival
There are several central
events in the Sakyamuni Buddha’s life that Buddhists always
celebrate. These include his birth, his enlightenment, his
first sermon and his death and release into nirvana.
Saga Dawa means
‘fourth month’, and it is on the 15th day of this month on
the Tibetan calendar that Tibetan Buddhists celebrate both
his birth and the day when he died and attained Nirvana.
Held on April 15th, pilgrims and secular folks will visit
Lhasa to honor Buddha's birth and
Nirvana. The observance is done by turning prayer wheels, having vegetarian
lunch and a picnic by the Dragon King Pond. It is the holiest
celebration in Tibet. Almost every Tibetan person
within Lhasa joins in circumambulations round the city and
spend their late afternoon by enjoying a picnic at at "Dzongyab
Lukahng", the park at the foot of Potala Palace that was
constructed by the Chinese after the invasion. Folk
entertainers perform in marvelous costumes, with mile-long
sleeves, or so it seems. They pay their respect and homage
to their Buddha in many ways, including eating only
vegetarian foods and giving alms to needy pilgrims and the
poor.
The Shoton (Xuedun)
Festival
Shoton, a strictly
religious observance before the 17th century, takes place during
the full month of June.
Thirty
days of meditation and self-development was observed by all
monks. In fact, they didn't even leave their monasteries until
the following month. On the first day of July local citizens
presented alms to the monks in the form of yogurt, which is sho
in the Tibetan language. Local operas were added to the event
around the 17th century. Held on the periphery of monasteries
like Drepung and in Lhasa, many pilgrims
came to enjoy the opera and other festivities. The main location
of the celebration was moved in the 18th century to Norbulingka.
Activities by
celebrants include shining of the Buddha's portrait, mending and
polishing prayer wheels, folk amusement and entertainment like
performances of Tibetan operas at the local park.
The Butter
Lamp Festival
January 15th of
the Tibetan calendar, to honor the victory of Sakyamuni in a
debate against heretics, the streets of the
Barkhor in Lhasa is packed with
throngs of pilgrims,
many
bringing yak butter lamps for the occasion. As dusk sets in
you can watch the candles being lit by the faithful to honor
their Buddha father. At nightfall, the entire kora around
the Jokhang temple is bright with the lights of precious
butter lamps carved and shaped in thousands of intriguing
designs.
Throughout
the night the celebrants walk the kora whispering their
praises and prayers, twirling their prayer beads, and many
doing prostrations in front of the Jokhang. If you're
considering a winter trip be sure to include
Lhasa's Butter Lamp Festival. It is
truly a sight and a sense you will never forget. Also try
the annual Lantern Festival at Kumbum Monastery in
Qinghai.
Yarlung Cultural Festival
Lhokha Barter Fair
One of the most important folk
cultures of the world is found right here in the Yarlung
culture of Tibet.
Opening
ceremonies for this festival is conducted and presented by
the farmers and herdsman from surrounding areas, who
demonstrate in utter breathlessness the same entertainment
their ancestors enjoyed for thousands of years. This
festival combines Tibetan art, traditional Tibetan sports,
Tibetan dance, song and contests. Additionally, there is no
place better to witness the magnificent Tibetan opera in all
its color and pomp. Held in October, the beautiful landscape
of Nyingchi is dramatized by the backdrop of snow covered
mountains and fall-shaded landscapes. To get here tourists
will enjoy the diversity of landscape, the glaciers and
endless forests.
Started in 1981, the Lhokha
Barter fair is an annual event held during the first week of
December. During this week the local residents, merchants
and inhabitants of communities nearby all gather together to
exchange goods in a unique but very traditional way. All
throughout Tibetan history goods and services have been
traded. No "money" was needed to survive if you could grow a
crop or weave a blanket.
All
throughout their thousands of years Tibetans have survived
without starvation in their communities because they loved
and cared for the poorer among them. Bartering was a logical
way to make their world work. Come witness history relive
itself. Bring something to trade!
Zamling Chisang - Universal
Prayer Festival
To commemorate Padmasambhava's
Subjugation of evil spirits, Tibetans go to monasteries and
burn juniper branches. This day is also referred to as
"Incense Offering Day", Tibetan's, as is customary, offering
thanks to their saint for keeping evil spirits at bay. With
their current situation so bleak for Tibetans, visitors
cannot help but wonder if a few evil spirits didn't get past
Padmasambhava. Check with your guide to see what days this
festival is held in the area of Tibet you are visiting.
TIBETAN WOMEN CELEBRATIONS
International Women's Day in
Lhasa, Tibet
Started by a group of
neighborhood women, The International Women's Day is
celebrated in the Tibetan old city of Lhasa in the Barkhor.
Tibetan
women of the Cuomeilin community decided it was time to
celebrate the contribution of women to both the Tibetan and
world communities. In traditional dress they demonstrate how
rich a heritage the Tibetans offer to the world by giving
free demonstrations in dance and song. Held the first week
of March in Lhasa, there are many reasons to plan your Tibet
experience around this time, to join these Tibetans in
supporting their ancient traditional culture.
Belha Rabzhol
Heavenly Maid Festival
Belha Rabzhol in Tibetan or
Heavenly Maid Festival is better known as "The Celestial
Mother Festival." Held annually on the 15th of the tenth
month of the Tibetan calendar, religious activities are held
in temples throughout Tibet. Tibetans believe in a Heavenly
Mother as do many other religions worldwide. On this day,
Tibetans, especially women who otherwise get very little
recognition for anything great, celebrate the mother of the
firmament who partnered to create the souls on earth.
Sentient creation in almost 100% requires male and female,
so why should only the male counterpoint be considered holy?
These are questions women around the world should ask
themselves, whatever their religion. Tibetan woman take this
opportunity to honor the mother of mankind, knowing it is
women who have given birth to us all, the ultimate creation.
TIBETAN HARVEST
CELEBRATIONS
HARVEST FESTIVALS
Farmers from Lhasa, Gyantse and Shangnan celebrate the
harvest with festival. After all the work is done, or
before, depending, the people finally get to stop working
and enjoy relaxation, horse racing, games, fashion shows,
prayers of gratefulness, songs and dance, archery and
luxurious Tibetan picnics.
The Wongkor (Bumper
Harvest) Festival
Longing for a good bumper harvest, Tibetans set aside a time
to dress in their best, most colorful clothes and unfold
their precious flags. Wishing each other the best harvest
ever, they parade their flags, make pagodas of barley and
wheat ears, beat drums and gongs and sing Tibetan harvest
odes while encircling their fields to pray. Following all
the pomp, their is a fabulous horse festival where everyone
enjoys the antics and contests. As soon as the festivities
end, they begin the autumn harvest. Ask your guide about
joining the fun if you are arriving in Tibet in August.
Ongkor Festival
The
Ongkor Festival is a traditional festival in farming areas
of Tibet. In the Tibetan language “ong” means field and
“kor” means rotating. So, “ongkor” means walking around the
field or surrounding the farmland, such as is done at
harvest time. Each August, to celebrate the agricultural
harvest, and to show their wishes and gratefulness for a
fine harvest. It's a time of rest among the arduous days of
labor. For three days, the Tibetans entertain the gods and
themselves, not to mention visitors. Dressed in their best
festival wear, they strut their fields, carrying colorful
flags, making sometimes large piles of wheat as temples.
Presenting hada to their gods by hanging the white silk
around the temporary temples, they beat drums and gongs,
sing great operas, meet in song, partake of barley wine and
tsampa. There are also fun activities like horse and yak
events, shooting competitions, talent contests, stone
holding and wrestling. There is always a lot of laughter and
joking around, especially when visitors happen by. Tibetans
are good natured and enjoy meeting new people. Be prepared
to drink barley wine and hot salted butter tea (3 cups makes
you a lifetime friend). When Tibetans love, they love
forever. Making a friend in Tibet will last a lifetime or
several lifetimes, depending on your outlook.
Choekhor Duechcen
Chamdo Festivals
Tibetans are always paying
homage to holy mountains, lakes, monasteries. saints and
gods, but this festival on the fourth day of the sixth
Tibetan month, also referred to as "Holy Mountains Festival"
is held to commemorate Sakyamuni's first sermon. Dressed in
the best material they possess, Tibetans flock to their
monasteries to pay homage to the Buddha and if possible they
walk the kora of one of Tibets holy mountains. During all
this prayer and sacrifice Tibetans take time to smell the
roses, to prepare picnics, enjoy friends and family, and, as
is customary, sing and dance to show their appreciation to
the Buddha for bringing the news of enlightenment to the
world.
Khampa Art Festival
Time: October
Place: Chamdo This
is a gathering of literary and artistic performance and
trade. Come ready to collect some Tibetan treasures!
Zhongque Festival
Time: July
Place: Chamdo
A Tibetan religious ceremony, fashion show, and Tibetan
opera performance - quite amazing.
Although festivals in prettier
cities can be enjoyed, if you're in Chamdo during these
months be sure to catch these festivals.
Buddha
Unfolding Festival
Kongpo
God of War Festival
The Buddha-unfolding Festival
at Tashilhunpo Temple was created by the first Dalai Lama,
Gengdu Zhuma, some 500 years ago.
The festival goes one for three days. A variey of portraits
of the Buddha are exhibited each day. Many of them
are hand-embroidered on silk or satin. The Buddha-unfolding
Festival is an important religious activity at Tashilhunpo.
Scripture chanting, prayers for rain and harvest, and many
other activities are enjoyed. This festival is usually
held in June in Shigatse.
During the rough and rocky
history of Tibet, there was a time when Tibet feared a large
scale invasion. At that time the Kongpo tribe prepared and
sent an army to defend their homeland. To acerbate the
problem, this happened during the New Year celebration time
when Tibetan's typically celebrate the new year with barley
wine and festivities. To avoid missing this gay affair, they
decided to hold their new year celebration on ahead of time
on October 1st. Since that time Tibetans honor those Kongpo
soldiers who fought to save their land with three sacrifices
and by staying up all night on this special festival day. In
addition, the festival has taken on the likes of many
Tibetan festivals with Kongpo dancing, horseracing, archery
and shooting contests, song and dance. Check the current
calander for either October or November.
Six Four Prayer Festival
On the fourth of the sixth
month in Tibetan calendar, held in the Lhasa area. Tibetans
in new clothes flock into temples and monasteries to
present hada and
offerings. As they present their offerings of coin, hada,
tsampa and yak butter to Buddha, they pray for blessing in
soft murmurs, beseeching his ear. After their prayers are
finished they join friends and family for special dinners,
yak butter tea or barley wine, a bit of dance and song.
TIBETAN BATHING FESTIVAL
BATHING FESTIVAL
Oddly enough, traditionally
Tibetans don't take showers or baths. Living in transient
conditions in tents, there are no facilities for such
affairs, thus it had not come to mind. They wash the hair
and braid it, but the rest goes "natural". With the recent
western influence and hygiene awareness, this trend is
beginning to change. They bath more often in the rivers,
lakes and streams nearby their camp sites. Some even brush
their teeth, but this is not common, which accounts for the
many gold teeth. The yellowish teeth are likely from
drinking hoards of butter tea, which they need to keep warm.
However the Bathing Festival
is celebrated in Lhasa when Venus rises over the Holy Bottle
Mountain down in the southeastern area of Tibet. This star
only appears seven nights out of the year, and the Bathing
Festival goes on during this time. Held on the 6th day to
the 12 th day of the 7th Tibetan month, it is believed that
Venus purifies the water of the rivers so that it can cures
diseases. At this time Tibetans take a ceremonial bath in
their local rivers or natural springs to be cured of disease
and to stay healthy. This holy bath does wonders if done
every night for seven nights. After doing this they believe
they will stay free from disease or plague, keep healthy
bones, have a longer life and generally be happier. After
the bathing is accomplished, Tibetans sit around their
campfires, happily drinking barley wine or tea under the
willow trees. To crown the enjoyment someone pulls out a
six-stringed Tibetan guitar from their yak or horse pouch
and plays for others to sing and dance. It's a wonderful
affair to be a part of as long as you don't mind bathing!
NO
"TOUR GROUP" LIMITATIONS
ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO
- WE TAKE YOU!
Home - Terms of Use - Disclaimer - Press/Media - Cancellation
Policy - Return Policy - Privacy Statement - Report Website Issue -
Unsubscribe - Contact
DISCLAIMER: The data
on this website is the collaborative experience by both travel
professionals and non-professionals, contributions, and research of
various websites, books, documents, research, articles, associates,
attorneys, etc. The information on this site may or may not be accurate
or up to date. The primary purpose of this site is education and service.
We do not advocate any specific course of action, but offer ideas to think
about. What you do with this information and any course of action you
decide to take, if any, is entirely your responsibility. We wish you happy
travels.