Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tashilhunpo Festival
From the 14th to 16th days of the fifth lunar month, Shigatse's Tashilhunpo Monastery be-
comes the scene of three days of festivities. A huge thangka is unveiled at dawn and
cham
dances are performed.
Samye Festival
Held over two or three days from the full moon (15th day) of the fifth lunar month, the
main events here are elaborate ritual ceremonies and
cham
dancing in front of the Ütse.
The monastery guesthouse is normally booked out, so bring a tent. Can be in July instead.
TIBETAN LUNAR CALENDAR
Most of Tibet's religious and cultural festivals are fixed according to the Tibetan lunar cal-
endar, which usually lags a month or two behind the Gregorian calendar (and differs from
the Chinese lunar calendar). Thus, religious festivals can fall in the next or even previous
month to the ones mentioned in this chapter. For the actual dates check travel-agency
websites or download a Tibetan calender (or iPhone app!) at
www.rabten.eu
.
July
Monsoon-influenced rain and glacial melting from mid-July to September
can bring flooding and temporary road blockages to eastern and western
Tibet, as well as on the road to Nepal. Lowland Kathmandu and Chéngdū
can be very hot.
Chökor Düchen (Drukwa Tsezhi) Festival
The fourth day of the sixth lunar month celebrates Buddha's first sermon at Sarnath near
Varanasi in India. Many pilgrims climb Gephel Ri (Gambo Ütse), the peak behind Dre-
pung Monastery, and also the ridge from Pabonka to the Dode Valley, to burn juniper in-
cense.
