The Tiji Festival is one of the most extraordinary and spiritually significant Himalayan festivals still celebrated today.
Held annually in the ancient royal capital of Lo Manthang, Tiji is a sacred Tibetan Buddhist ceremony that has been performed for more than 300 years.
The name “Tiji” comes from “Tempa Chhirim,” meaning Prayer for World Peace.
For three powerful days, monks from the Choede Monastery perform ancient masked dances, ritual ceremonies, chanting and sacred dramas that tell the story of Dorje Jono — a deity who defeated dark forces that brought drought, suffering and chaos to the Kingdom of Lo.
The festival symbolises the triumph of compassion and wisdom over negativity and destruction, bringing blessings of harmony, protection, prosperity and peace for all beings.
As drums echo through the ancient palace courtyard and monks in elaborate costumes dance beneath the Himalayan sky, visitors witness a living spiritual tradition that feels untouched by modern time.