Mani Rimdu

This great festival is dedicated to the Lord of the Dance who closely resembles Avalokiteshvara, The Buddha of Compassion. While the Tengboche edition of this festival is now the most famous, it has its roots in a similar festival in Rongphu Monastery beyond Everest. Rongphu in turn received it from that great centre of Nyingma sect of Tibetan Buddhism- The Mindrolling Monastery in Central Tibet. The festival lasts for around 19 days of which only the last three are open to the public. The entire festival can be broken down into creative and destructive parts. A word of caution about the word 'destructive' is due here. While we carnal beings see creation and destruction as mutually exclusive, diagonally opposite even, under Tibetan Buddhism this duality is seen as complementary. As such the word 'destructive' has no negative connotation as destruction is central to the existence of creation. The creative part is set to coincide with the waxing moon and includes such events as construction of the symbol of the universe (the colorful Sand Mandala), spiritual medicine (Mani Rilwu) and butter offerings (Torma). The monks also recite prayers for the well being of the universe during this period. The creative period comes to a climax during the full moon when the gate of the monastery is opened to the public to receive blessings (Wong). The next day is the most anticipated part of the festival. Various dances are performed on this day with each one more amazing than the other. Most of the performances symbolize the destruction of negative forces. There are also numerous comical interludes in between. The day after the masked dances, there is a fire ritual (Jinsak) in which evil is destroyed symbolically. The meticulously created mandala is also destroyed during this day. If you intend to attend the last three days of the festival here are the dates in advance: 2014 Nov 7-9, 2015 Oct 27-29, 2016 Nov 14-16, 2017 Nov 4-6 and 2018 Oct 24-26. The dates might differ by a day, so it makes sense to get there a day ahead. Also remember, Tengboche is packed to the rafters during this festival, Hence, prices sky rocket and vacancy plummets. Plan accordingly.