Teji Festival is celebrated in the high Himalayan including Upper Mustang for three days on May Full moon every year. The Tiji Festival is celebrated for three days in the fort settlement, memorializing the victory of Dhoyje Sonam with the devil. This is a story about a deity named Dhoyje Sonam, who fights against his devil father (Ma Tam Ru) to save the Kingdom of Mustang and its people from demolition. The demon father wreaks destruction on Mustang by creating a water shortage which, in this extremely arid land, is the most precious life-sustaining resource Dhoyje Sonam eventually defeats the devil and evicts him from the land.
The people of Mustang celebrate many festivals such as Bhadra Mela celebrated in China, Kobang and Kunjo, Toranla in Thak Saatsae and Panch Gaon, Lhosar in Bara Gaon, etc. Among them, Teej Festival is one of the most important festivals of Upper Mustang original to Lo-Manthang. The ritual is known as "The Chasing of the Demons", and is performed according to Tiji myth. Mustang lays the midwestern part of Nepal and the Tibet border in the north. It is in a rain shadow area behind the Himalayas, perhaps Upper Mustang is only one unspoiled Tibetan culture. As this is forbidden and isolated from the rest of the World, it was able to progress its own unique culture and tradition which is so rich and distinctive. Lo-Manthang, the capital is a walled city ruled by Amipal Dynasty. The last King Jigme Parbal Bista the 25th Raja of the Kingdom of Mustang, married a daughter of the Ladakh King. Upper Mustang is untouched by modern civilization; life here has been dragged from centuries at an unhurried pace. So, it is an example of a live museum. During the Mustang Tiji festival Trek, you have an unforgettable experience in the high Himalayas with barren land with amazing land formations and snowcapped mountain views. As a restricted area of Nepal, those who wish to visit Upper Mustang, need special permissions and need a minimum of two people in a group. You obtain permission through the Resister trekking agency in Nepal.
The monk who performs the role of Dorje Soman must stay in seclusion for 3 months before the festival to prepare ritual dances. On the last day of the Mustang Tiji Festival ceremony, he defeats a dummy of the demon in a dance. Teej falls on the third month in the Tibetan calendar which is in late April or early May full moon. The most attractive of this ceremony is the Monk dance which reflects the ancient history of the place and culture and dress. Tiji is originally from the words “TEN CHE” It means “the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds” and is a spring renewal.
Upper Mustang Trekking can do nine days to above three weeks as well. But for the Tiji Festival, we would like to recommend you 16 days of Trek, which will be enough time to discover untouched places around. During the Tiji festive tour, you may combine trips to the mysterious Jhong Cave (5 stories with 144 different rooms) at Chhoser village. We have several other groups during this time, so if you like to solo trip, you can do a solo trip also just joining permit with others. This year Tiji festival going to be celebrated on May 16, 17, and 18, 2023.
Go through the Upper Mustang Trek Ultimate Guide for more details information about the land full of mysteries.
