MANI RIMDU FESTIVAL (11 Days)

Mani Rimdu  is One of the biggest festival of Nepal, It  has been celebrated by the people of Everest region for the last 110 years. It celebrates the birth of Buddhism and the victory of good over the evil.

Mani Rimdu is a re-creation of legendary events; the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet by the great saint, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).

Mani Rimdu takes place from the first day of the tenth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, falling between mid-October and mid-November. It lasts until the nineteenth day of the month. From the beginning until the end of the festival, 24-hour puja's (rituals) are performed by the monks to consecrate the Mandala, the Mani Rilwu Pills (sacred pills), the Tshereel (pills for long life) and the Torma. 

Main Attraction about Mani Rimdu

Day 1^st  The Empowerment (Wong)

The Wong is the opening public ceremony. It's performed on the full moon day, of the tenth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. His Holiness Trulshig Rinpoche, gives the empowerment on this auspicious occasion; for long life, happiness and prosperity. The sacred Mani Rilwu (sacred pills) and Tshereel (pills for long life), are given to everyone attending.

Day 2nd The Dances (Chham)

This offering of spiritual nectar is made in many ceremonies. The six dancers represent Ngag-pa, Tantric magicians. They make offerings of alcohol from silver chalices, and small tormas, to the Lama, Yidam, Khandro, and Shi-Dak (the Earth deities).

 Day 3rd The Fire Puja (Jinsak) And Chhingpa Dance

The Fire Puja is an offering to Agni (the god of fire), and to the Gods of the mandala - to allay all harm in the world. The harm is visualized as dissolving into the grain and butter is burned.

The last final dance depicts the Four Protecting Ghings, defending the Buddhist faith    against attack by demons. Shining paper masks hide the faces of the dancers, each a different color and each displaying a constant smile. The dancers' skips are rhythmically accompanied by the beating of cymbals.