Celebrating Tiji in Upper Mustang – festival observed for world peace
“For trekkers craving to see unique ancient celebration like Tiji & contrasting landscapes in the restricted territory of highland Nepal Upper Mustang would be an ideal destination. The fabled walled city & the ancient kingdom of “Lo”, Upper Mustang has so many special features, which stands out the region from rest of other trekking destinations of Nepal. Arid & windswept wide valleys with colorful small hills having wonderful myths of Buddhism, Upper Mustang probably is the only region in Nepal that practiced sky burials in the past.”
The huge thanka painting drapes down the wall- the manifestation of the painting means Tiji begins
Upper Mustang is a central attraction during the month of May, which is the time for the Tiji festival, the biggest celebration of the year of the entire region.
Tiji Festival also known as “Tenchi”. Locals consider this festival more as a prayer for world peace. The festival doesn’t have a fix date. Every year the date is fixed for the three days festival after the new Tibetan calendar is released. Celebration that prays for the world peace itself signifies Tiji importance.
Monks playing traditional musical instrument announce the beginning of Tiji Festival
The three days festival in process of establishing the world peace takes place inside the Wall City of Lo-Manthang. Several dances including mask dances are performed by the monks during the festival. Locals from six different villages of Lo- Manthang gather in the venue where they are accompanied by hundreds of foreigners who come to observe the festival. In recent years the popularity of this celebration has taken heights. This year the festival was held from 3rd to 5th May, where more than 1000 tourists from different countries made their way to Lo-Manthang to participate in the occasion.
Dancers in colorful traditional attires add energy to Tiji
On the first day, a large Thanka Painting of Guru Rinpoche is displayed against the wall where the stage is set. The Thanka is said to be displayed to public only on this day of the year. People bow to the painting of Guru Rinpoche which they describe would eliminate illness and diseases establishing good health to them and their family throughout the following year. A huge prayer is done inside the monastery earlier in the morning which denotes the starting of Tiji Festival, which is also an annual occasion.
Later, the monks arrive to the stage and take their places respectively. These monks play the music through various instrument assigned to them throughout the festival. Monks would also perform their dances inside the fix territory made of three circles in the venue. The head dancer performs from the inner circle while the supporting dancers perform on the outer circles.
The head dancer has to go through a huge cave meditation for 3 months to be ready for the festival. It takes him a total of 3 months for the preparation of this dance. Day 1 of Tiji highlights monk dances.
Mask dance – the lead dancer encircled by fellow dancers
On the second day, another large Thanka is displayed in front of the venue which is also displayed only once a year. This day, the monks perform various dances including mask dances. A lot of mask dance take places on this day as well. Later, in the afternoon, the king of Lo-manthang also attends the festival. The locals honor the king by playing musical instrument. Unfortunately, due to sickness, the king could not make his presence this year.
The gunshot celebrates the end of Tiji
On the final day of Tiji, the monks continue their mask dances. This is the main day of Tiji. It is the day to establish world peace. So through their dance performances, the head monk takes the process to the end. As one of local monks described, it is the process of killing the evil spirit that you own in yourself. You have to kill the negative factors inside you to establish peace. So the process sees the killing of the demon inside you.
With Gun fires from locals & archery from the lead dancer -Tiji ends
In the occasion of the termination of the evil spirit, the locals fire gunshots which are obviously just for the purpose of celebration. The festival comes to an end, as the head dancer lead the evil out of the Wall City.
Apr 2023
I had an incredible experience trekking to Everest Base Camp with Explore Himalaya. Our guides were absolutely amazing. They provided us with exceptional support and guidance throughout the journey.
The porters deserve special recognition too for their hard work and dedication. The entire journey was filled with breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. From the start until the conclusion , every moment was filled with awe and wonder.
I highly recommend Explore Himalaya for anyone seeking an unforgettable trekking experience in the Himalayas. Thank you to all the the staff, for making our journey truly exceptional!
Andrea C
13 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek
Nov 2018
We have just returned to Kathmandu after a wonderful trek around the Manaslu circuit, starting in Soti Khola and finishing in Jaget. The trek and transport out and back to Kathmandu were very well organized. Our guide, Bharet Rana was excellent, arranging our tea-house accomodation and meals each day, without hitch. He was always good humoured and provided an interesting commentary on sights along the way.
John Chew
Our Everest Base Camp trek was a wonderful and memorable one. Everything was very well organised. Thank you Explore Himalaya and the staffs for such an excellent service. We were taken care of from the moment we landed in Ktm till the day we left. The Guides and the Porters team of Explore Himalaya are very friendly and helpful. They took care of every little things during our trek. Some walked faster, some slowly and few could not but No one was left behind. They walk with your pace and motivates you until you get up.
Anuj Pandey, MD of Explore Himalaya was available 24 hours a day when anybody was in need, he even flew to Namche to check if everything was going well and if everybody was doing good.
The Guides Bibek Pandey, Bhuwan Tamang and Ram Rajbhandari along with their 5 Porters were the main pillars who made our mission accomplished.
I'd highly recommend anybody who wants to travel to Nepal to contact Explore Himalaya and get themselves spoilt and entertained with their excellent service.
Sujeeta Shahi
Helicopter flight to Everest basecamp
Mar 2023
Organized for us a life time experience by helicopter to the base camp. Very well organized and all what has been promised was delivered. Would highly recommend this service.
Stefan M
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Testimonials
Apr 2023
I had an incredible experience trekking to Everest Base Camp with Explore Himalaya. Our guides were absolutely amazing. They provided us with exceptional support and guidance throughout the journey.
The porters deserve special recognition too for their hard work and dedication. The entire journey was filled with breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. From the start until the conclusion , every moment was filled with awe and wonder.
I highly recommend Explore Himalaya for anyone seeking an unforgettable trekking experience in the Himalayas. Thank you to all the the staff, for making our journey truly exceptional!
Andrea C
13 Day Manaslu Circuit Trek
Nov 2018
We have just returned to Kathmandu after a wonderful trek around the Manaslu circuit, starting in Soti Khola and finishing in Jaget. The trek and transport out and back to Kathmandu were very well organized. Our guide, Bharet Rana was excellent, arranging our tea-house accomodation and meals each day, without hitch. He was always good humoured and provided an interesting commentary on sights along the way.
John Chew
Our Everest Base Camp trek was a wonderful and memorable one. Everything was very well organised. Thank you Explore Himalaya and the staffs for such an excellent service. We were taken care of from the moment we landed in Ktm till the day we left. The Guides and the Porters team of Explore Himalaya are very friendly and helpful. They took care of every little things during our trek. Some walked faster, some slowly and few could not but No one was left behind. They walk with your pace and motivates you until you get up.
Anuj Pandey, MD of Explore Himalaya was available 24 hours a day when anybody was in need, he even flew to Namche to check if everything was going well and if everybody was doing good.
The Guides Bibek Pandey, Bhuwan Tamang and Ram Rajbhandari along with their 5 Porters were the main pillars who made our mission accomplished.
I'd highly recommend anybody who wants to travel to Nepal to contact Explore Himalaya and get themselves spoilt and entertained with their excellent service.
Sujeeta Shahi
Helicopter flight to Everest basecamp
Mar 2023
Organized for us a life time experience by helicopter to the base camp. Very well organized and all what has been promised was delivered. Would highly recommend this service.