Upper Mustang with Tiji Festival Trekking

Upper Mustang with Tiji Festival Trek is held in the historical remote Mustang, a land where the soul of man is still considered to be as real as the feet he walks on a land said to be "barren as a dead deer" but where beauty and happiness abound in spite of hardship, was a part of the Tibetan Kingdom of Gungthang until 1830's. The wall city of Lo- Manthang, unofficial capital of Mustang still remains a kingdom within a kingdom. The early history to Lo-Manthang is embellished in myth and legend rather than the recorded fact. Mustang has maintained its status as a separate principality until 1951.

The king of Lo-Manthang still retains his title and he has been given the honorary rank of Colonel in the Nepal army. "Everest Journeys" regularly organizing trek to the Himalayan Kingdom of Mustang targeting TIJI festival a three days long ritual known as" The chasing of the Demons", one of the most important festival of the region. Over the festive time monks dressed in elaborate costumes and masks perform dances and rituals that are supposed to drive away evil spirits. Dressed in their finery, people from all over Mustang gather in Lo-Manthang to celebrate the Tiji festival.

The Rituals and The Festival:
The Tenchi festival as a whole celebrates the victory of God over Demon and Good over Evil. During the three days, dance performances by the local monks of Chode monastery take place.

1st Day:  The monks perform a dance called ‘Tsa Chaam’. This tells the story of the birth of ‘Dorji Sonam’- a reincarnated Buddha to a demon. This demon harassed the kingdom of Mustang and brought in havoc to the country. You can witness the monks enacting the harassment of the said demon on the people of Mustang.

2nd Day:  The monks perform ‘NgaCham’. During this performance, Dorjee Sonam tries to return the demon to the Buddha realm.

3rd Day:  Final day of the festival, the ‘Rha Chham’ dance takes place. On this ceremony, Dorjee Sonam triumphs over the evil demon and banishes him from Mustang. The Monk who plays the role of Dorjee Sonam does this by throwing an effigy. This effigy made from Tsampa (barley) represents the demon ‘Ma Tam Ru Ta’. This defeat brings peace and prosperity to the land of Mustang. Every year Tiji festival takes place in the hope of spreading peace throughout the world.

Tiji Festival dates for 2022
Tiji Festival 2022 will be celebrate 27th, 28th & 29th May 2022. Apart from strolling along the stunning and exceptional surroundings of Upper Mustang with the magnificent views of the snow-topped peaks, you can partake on this vibrant and lively festival which will be a lifetime experience.