There are several destinations recognized for festival treks in Nepal. As a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, one can find more festivals and feasts than days of a year.
Every ethnic and religious community has its festivals observed in typical ways. The Nepal festival trek has drawn the attention of thousands of international tourists as well.
From Mani Rimdu Festival of the Everest to the Tharu Festival of the Terai, from Hindu festivals to Tiji Festival of Upper Mustang; all are different in their performance and occasion. However, we find some similarities among them as well.
Among several festivals celebrated in the Upper Mustang Region, the Tiji Festival is the most colorful one. We are sure that you would love to observe this festival once for a lifelong experience in Nepal you do it.
Before that, you would love to know “When do people celebrate Tiji Festival, right?” The core objective of this blog is to inform you about the time when the Tiji Festival is celebrated in Lo Manthang Kingdom.
When do people celebrate the Tiji Festival?
Most often, the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival is celebrated in the third month of the Tibetan Calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls in May. Initially, the festival used to be celebrated around the end of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar.
The term “Tiji” comes from the short form of “Tempa Chirim” meaning “Prayer for World Peace.” It is a 3-day long festival observed at the Choede Monastery belonging to the Sakya Sect of Buddhism.
Located in Lo Mantang, Mustang, Choede Monastery is one of the prominent shrines of the Tibetan Buddhist religion in Nepal. Over 65 monks from Lo Manthang, Nhenyul, and Chhosyer headed by a Rimpoche live in the monastery.
Upper Mustang Trek with Tiji Festival
Tiji Festival Trek takes you around the Upper Mustang located in the Trans-Himalayan Region close to the Tibetan Plateau. The trekking route detaches from Kagbeni, the gateway to Upper Mustang Trek leaving the Annapurna Circuit Trek route.
This trek lies in the rain shadow area of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massifs. The amount of rainfall is very low or no in the rain shadow areas. Just like Upper Dolpo Trek, you can also make this trek in the monsoon season (June-August) as well.
Following the trail moving along the arid landscape of the Himalayan Desert of Nepal, you move from one monastery to the other. You also go past some of the high passes such as Nyi La Pass (3,660m), Taklam La Pass (3,625m), Dajong Pass (3,660m), and Bhena La Pass (3,830m).
In addition to Tiji, other festivals such as Yartung, a traditional archery festival, Ghar Gumba and Luri Gumba festivals, Losar, especially, Gyalbo Losar are also observed in the Upper Mustang Region at different intervals. Therefore, the Upper Mustang Region is a perfect destination for Festival Trek in Nepal.
Besides Choede Monastery, Thumbchen and Jamba are some of the monasteries. These sites are the wardrobe of true Tibetan Buddhist culture and tradition. The outstanding feature of Jamba Gompa is 1,500 mandalas representing the spiritual cosmos.
The legend behind the Tiji Festival celebration:
Tiji Festival is a celebration to mark the victory of God over evil and virtue over vice. Behind the celebration of this festival, there is an interesting anecdote that’s often heard from the mouths of local people.
According to the legend, once, a demon namely Ma Tam Ru Ta troubled the Kingdom of Mustang and its people. He was about to collapse the kingdom by some havoc. Meanwhile, a reincarnation of Buddha was born to protect the kingdom and its people.
Each of the 3 days Tiji Festival is celebrated by symbolizing the activities done by the demon and Dorji Sonam respectively. The monks represent these activities by performing different champs (dances) by wearing masks and scary props. To list out the day, dance, and activities in the table:
| Day |
Dance |
Activities |
| 1st |
Ba Chham |
The monks dance representing the havoc caused by the demon. |
| 2nd |
Nga Chham |
The monks perform the role of how Dorji Sonam tried his best to send the demon back to its realm. |
| 3rd |
Rha Chham |
This dance indicates how Dorji Sonam got victory over and became successful in banishing the demon from the Kingdom of Mustang. The monk who plays the role of Dorji Sonam throws an effigy of the demon. The effigy is beautifully made by using Tsampa (barley straws). |
When do people celebrate the Tiji Festival 2025?
People celebrate Tiji Festival 2022 on 27 – 29 May 2022. Enjoy the excellent views of the snowcapped peaks of the Annapurna Massif and the Dhaulagiri Massif.
Beside romantic vistas of the arid landscapes, the joy of Tiji Festival is more than enough for a lifetime experience in Nepal.
What are the Tiji Festival Trek permits?
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek is a restricted area trekking in Nepal. Therefore, you don’t need a TIMS Card to do this trek. The following are the required permits for Tiji Festival Trek:
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit
This permit cost is USD 500 for 10 days and then USD 50 from the 11th day. To do this trek, you need a special trekking permit and there must be a two-member group accompanied by a government-registered trekking guide.
Sometimes, you might also do this trek by joining with other groups or fellow trekkers. A local tour operator in Kathmandu can purchase the permit of restricted area trekking with other trekkers as well.
ACAP Entry Permit
Another permit for the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek is the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). The ACAP entry permit is given even for individual trekkers from NTB Offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Where to get the permits for the Tiji Festival Trek to Upper Mustang?
ACAP entry permit can be obtained from the NTB Offices located in Kathmandu and Pokhara. But for a restricted area trekking permit, you must be two in your group. The Nepal trekking company you book the trip with will purchase it.
You cannot find the restricted area trekking permit as individual trekkers. Similarly, an individual Nepal trekking guide is also not allowed to present such a permit. The only option is the trekking agency authorized for running such trekking in Nepal.
Conclusion: When Do People Celebrate Tiji Festival?
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival is one of the major attractions for festival treks in Nepal. The 3-day Tiji Festival and its celebration process show the cultural richness of Upper Mustang Trek.
The Nepal trekking gives you a different experience of cultural beauty combined with the beautiful landscapes of the Trans-Himalayan Region.
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