Mani Rimdu Tengboche Festival

Overview

Mani Rimdu is held at Tengboche Monastery in the Khumbu Valley three times a year — at Tengboche in October or November, at Thame Monastery in May, and at Chiwong Monastery in November. The Tengboche celebration is the largest and most accessible, coinciding with the peak autumn trekking season. The festival spans three days, beginning with an empowerment ceremony (dawa) in which the head lama blesses sacred pills called rilbu that are distributed to the congregation. The second day features the Cham masked dances — elaborate performances by monks in elaborate costume representing protective deities, demons, and the Buddhist teachers who brought the dharma to Tibet.

The third day is a fire puja in which effigies representing obstacles and negative forces are burned in a ceremonial fire. The entire festival is a ritual re-enactment of the subjugation of evil forces by the power of enlightened compassion. For Sherpa communities throughout the Khumbu, Mani Rimdu is the most important community gathering of the year.

Trekkers at Tengboche during Mani Rimdu should arrive a day early to secure accommodation — every teahouse in the village fills completely. The monastery courtyard fills with hundreds of Sherpa families, monks, and trekkers watching the dances from a stone amphitheatre.

FAQ

Do I need a ticket to watch the Cham dances at Mani Rimdu?
No ticket is required. The courtyard is open to all. Arrive early for a good viewing position.

What should I wear to Mani Rimdu at Tengboche?
October nights at 3,867 metres are very cold. Bring full down insulation, a warm hat, and waterproof layers. Daytime performances are in the open courtyard with no shelter from wind.