Mustang Tiji Festival 2015
Tiji Festival is a three day ritual celebrated on the Upper Mustang region of Nepal. The month of May is basically when the festival falls. Formerly known as the Kingdom of Lo the Upper Mustang region has held this special festival since a very long time. The dry, arid, parched region of the Upper Mustang is scarce of water and this Tiji Festival is celebrated to invoke the deity Dorje Jano to save the Kingdom from being completely devoid of water.
Mustang Tiji Festival is believed to have prevailed around the time of Lowo Kenchen (1456-1532), considered as one of the greatest Buddhist teacher and preacher of his time. It was then celebrated with great enthusiasm and was evidently considered as one of the main festival of Lo. This festival gained its prior glory and reputes after the visit of Ngachen Ngawang Kunga Sonam, a great Sakyapa master from Tibet who was invited so as to pacify the gods and remove any impediment from the Buddhist religious traditions. This master is said to have performed the masked dances as the main dancer (tsowo) and pulled an arrow to drive away demons during the Mustang Tiji festival trek.
Throughout the festival the stories and events regarding the birth of Mustang Tiji festival are re-enacted. The festival is timed to accord with the end of the dry season and usher in the wetter monsoon season.
The First day Activity of Tiji Festival
The first day Tiji Festival is observed with the sounds of drum, cymbals and horns which are blown by the lamas announcing the beginning of the festival. An enormous Thanka is unrolled down the entire south wall of the square. The enactment of the myth is done by the masked dancers and exquisite dances are performed.
The Second day Activity of Tiji Festival
The second day of Tiji Festival is equally enjoyable as day one, where many people gather along with the king of Mustang wearing traditional dress and have a magnificent feast.
The Third day Activity of Tiji Festival
The third day of Tiji Festival marks the end of the festival with the ceremonial destruction of the remains of the demon. Sounds of cheers are heard as the people burn down the replica of the demon constructed by them.
Tiji falls among one of the implicit festivals because towards the mid 19th century the political modifications in Nepal affected Mustang and caused the old aged festivals including Tiji to abolish. Due to various economic and political antagonisms the main ceremony which was earlier celebrated in the city’s square was no longer to be taken place. There are many intriguing stories of revival of Mustang Tiji Festival Trek including one which says that the present King Jigme Dadul Palbar Bista met with the late Khempo (head lama ) and decided that the festival be celebrated yet again in the city’s square . And thus to this day Tiji festival is seen to be celebrated with much zest by the people of Mustang.
Itinerary Details
Day 01:May 05 2015: Arrival in Kathmandu (1350 m)
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, You will greet and welcome by our agency’s representative in front of arrival gate. Then, transfer to hotel.
Day 02:May 06 2015: Leisure day and trek preparation.
Today is almost free day and may have chance to visit heritage site of Kathmandu. Following by late afternoon, there will conduct a trip departure meeting with guide and provides brief information regarding the trek about introduction, team formation, equipment and nature of trek.
Day 03:May 07 2015: Kathmandu – Pokhara (920 m) 6h00 drive.
This is picturesque drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu traversing by several beautiful villages, forests, rivers and as well as mountain scenery. Finally get to Pokhara in afternoon.
Day 04:May 08 2015: Pokhara – Jomsom – Kagbeni (2870 m) 20 min. by plane 3h00 walk.
Early morning get prepare for the flight to Jomsom by plane wonderful Himalayan scenery of giant Himalayas of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. You will meet other staffs there and arrange all the back pack then trek to Kagbeni.
Day 05:May 09 2015: Kagbeni – Chele (3050 m) 6h00 walk.
The trail goes through the east bank of Kali Gandaki River after checking all formality in Kagbeni. There are several climbs over many ridges. We have wonderful mountain scenery and walk through the sandy and windy trails. Many ups and downs lead you through the small villages with narrow way among the white painted houses; cultivated land and once crossing over the Kali Gandaki River that head to Small ridges get Chele.
Day 06:May 10 2015: Chele – Geling (3806 m) 6h00 walk.
The trail goes gradually ascend up through barren land, picturesque mountain scenery to a pass then making long descend passing by some chhortens, on the ridge. Then further pretty descend to Samar village where stunning scenery of Annapurna and Nilgiri. The trail goes into a gorge and cross a stream takes another valley. Then ascends up to a hill (3,800 m) taking on ridges and pretty descend to Geling.
Day 07:May 11 2015:Geling – Charang (3,500 m) 6h00 walk
Start the trek after the breakfast, the trail leads a pretty interesting pass Nyi – La and longer descends beneath colorful cliffs through the valley and across a stream then head on another pass at 3,600 m and long downhill to Charang.
Day 08:May 12 2015: Charang – Lomangthang (3,700 m) 5h00 walk.
As usual as other days, the trail goes little descend and cross a bridge ascends steep with a rocky trail to get a ridge and further continue climbs to reach region of Lo, The King Ame Pal established as a kingdom in 1380’s, with wall city of Lomanthang as the capital and the people of this areas called Lobas. Finally a short descend and cross a stream then climb up to enter the plateau of Lomanthang.
Day 09:May 13 2015:Exploration Day: Lo – Mangthang
There are several places to explore. Visit monasteries with own features The Namgyal Gompa located on the top if the hill. It is considered as a local court. And continue visit to Tinkhar, the last village of upper Mustang.
Day 10:May 14 2015:Tiji Festival in Lo-mangthang (1st day).
Tiji festival begins and 1st day activities.
Day 11:May 15 2015:Tiji Festival in Lo-mangthang (2nd day)
Tiji festival 2nd day activities.
Day 12:May 16 2015:Tiji Festival in Lo-mangthang (3rd day)
Tiji festival 3rd day activities.
Day 13:May 17 2015:Lo – Mangthang – Ghami (3,520 m) 6h00 walk.
The climax of trek has been finished just descend back through the some villages ancient monasteries and offering last glimpse of Lomangthang and walk down to Ghami.
Day 14:May 18 2015:Ghami – Samar (3,150 m) 6h00 walk
This is same route we take while heading to Lomangthang by passing Nyi-La and descend to Samar with beautiful scenery of Annapurna range.
Day 15:May 19 2015:Samar – Kagbeni (2870 m)
Trek to Kagbeni is easy walk passing through narrow path among white painted houses, cultivated fileds and beautiful scenery of Annapurna and Nilgiri are in front. Finally get to Kagbeni. There is an opportunity to visit a monastery which believes to build in 15th century.
Day 16:May 20 2015: Kagbeni – Jomsom (2800 m) 3h00 walk.
Today is last day trek to Jomsom also easy walk along the bank of kali Gandaki River. Jomsom is a busty place due to administrative quarter of Mustang district. There is an opportunity to explore ancient Thakli tradition, culture flora and fauna in the Eco-cultural museum in Jomsom.
Day 17:May 21 2015:Jomsom – Pokhara
Early morning get prepare all the baggage flight to Pokhara by plane. Wonderful Himalayan scenery of giant Himalayas Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif can see from plane.
Day 18:May 22 2015:Pokhara – Kathmandu by plane
You will transfer to airport to fly Kathmandu by plane with magnificent views of mountains. Arriving in Kathmandu you will be free all the day.
Day 19:May 23 2015:Free day in Kathmandu
You will free all the day and may have a chance to visit once in the heritage site. Or this day can be occupied as security day in case of flight interruption due to weather.
Day 20: Final departure
You will be transfer to airport 3 hours before your scheduled flight to your home country
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