Being a multi-religious and multi-cultural country, Nepal celebrates more than 55 different festivals throughout the year. These festivals are ancient with religious essence as well as teaches us about the value of life and family. Festivals in Nepal aren’t just for the sake of celebration; it is for keeping up our love and respect for family and being virtuous over a lifetime.

About Tiji Festival

Out many festivals in Nepal which are observed as a victory of good over evil, Tiji festival is one of them. Tiji is an exciting festival celebrated in Lo Manthang. Lo Manthang is also known as the walled city of Lo region of Upper Mustang of Nepal. The name of the festival is an abbreviation of the word “TempaChirim” which means “Prayer for World Peace.”

Tiji festival is a spiritual and vibrant festival which lasts for three days celebrated to mark the victory of good over evils. This is religious as well spiritual festival is celebrated with chants, prayers, and dances in colorful dresses.

The interesting festival of Tijiis celebrated for the victory of DorjeeSonnu (Buddha’s incarnation) over a savage demon named Man Tam Ru who bought chaos and uproar by devouring human beings and causing droughts and strops. Tiji festival includes a Tibetan ritual that celebrated a myth of a son who saved the kingdom of Mustang from destruction.

The three-day long festival is celebrated by various ritual dances performed by Choedhe monastery of Lo Manthang. On the first day of festival, a dance called Tsa Chham takes place, which is about the violence and harassment of demon Man Tam Ru. On second day, Nga Chhamis performed about birth of DorjeeSonnu as the son of the demon and the last day is about the attempts to return the demon to the realm of Lord Buddha.

History of Tiji Festival

There are several practices in Buddhism which is quite like different branches of the same tree. Vajrayana Buddhism is one of the Buddhism practice, where Vajrakila (DorjePhurba) and Vajrakumar (DorjeShonnu) is name of a guardian deity, Yidam; this practice is very old yet popular in Nepal and India as well. The practice was introduced by Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, and Shilamju in Tibet during the 8th century. Vajrakila practice has several lineages in Tibet and out of many such practices, Khon tradition Kila (Phurba) is one of the main practices of Tibetan Buddhism in.  Padmasambhava (founder of Tibetan Buddhism) introduced major dance steps of sacred dance of Vajrakila in Tibet at Samye Monastery. In Chhode monastery, Vajrakali practice is ritual is very popular.

Tiji festival was introduced during the 17th century. Mustang king, SamdupRabten invited SakyaTrizinNgawangKungaSiman to come and stay at Lo Manthang. Respecting the invitation of King, Sakya came and stayed at Lo Manthang. During his stay, Sakya started to perform a very special Vajrakila ritual for well-being and betterment of human being, and he also eliminated the negative energies and forces from Mustang. Sakya also performed a very special dance related to the mediation of Vajrakila. And from that time, the monks of Chhode monastery started performing a sacred dance for the welfare of people of Mustang.

What happens in Tiji festival?

During Tiji festival, you can witness many exciting and amazing dance. The main dancer of festival, Tsowa completes three months of retreat before the main event is held. The main event of the festival is witnessed by the ex-royal family of Mustang and the villages of Upper Mustang. As per the Mustang dialect, it is Tiji or Tenchi, which is a part of meditation practice based on the Tantra text related to VajraKumar/Vajrakila. The original name of the sacred dance is TenpaChirim meaning the benefit of Buddha’s teaching. There is also a general belief that performers of this dance receive empowerment of Vajrakila.

While performing the sacred dance, the important elements of the meditations are also performed. There are two activities done in the development phase of mediation; first is peaceful dance which is followed by second activity of eliminating all negative energies. There are three different parts in dance; preliminary, main practice and conclusion. In the preliminary stage, there are 15 steps. In main stage, generation of celestial palace and generation of deities are depicted in dance in two different steps and conclusion, it clears all eternal and nihilistic views and fills with optimism.

If you take a closer look and heed every step of dance shrewdly, then you will see the various poses and gestures used in dance symbolically imply different processes of meditation. The sacred dance of Tiji festival is used by Buddhist masters as a skillful way to benefit the sentient beings. Every steps and detail used in dance implies deep meaning which is believed to clear obstacles of life by enlightening with faith and respects.

Tiji Festival in 2019

In 2019, Tiji festival is going to be celebrated on 30th May, 31st May and 1st June. You are only a few months away from witnessing this beautiful festival which possesses religious as well spiritual essence.