Mani Rimdu Trek - Special Festival Trekking
This Mani Rindu festival trek offers a great chance to witness the mind-blogging Buddhist festival while trekking into the parade of Himalayan giants. Mani Rimdu is one of the most important Buddhist festivals in the Everest region. The three days-long public open festivals of Mani Rimdul are performed at the famed Tengboche monastery at an elevation of 3,800 meters. Buddhist monk exhibits mask dances depicting Buddhism's victory over the earlier Bon region. Before monks performed the Mask dance, they went through the preparation of festivals like the Sand Mandala, the Empowerment, and the Fire Puja. Therefore, hundreds of local Sherpa of this region attend the exceptional performance with due respect. The dances depict the conquering and converting of demons by Guru Rinpoche and the introduction of Buddhism into Tibet. Thus, we customize this Mani Rimdu trek to coincide with the trek and festival date in November each year.
Mani Rimdu festival, unchanged for centuries, is the annual full moon festival at the Tengboche monastery. The monks all dress up in masks to represent the old ghosts. The festival starts with an elaborate depiction of the Mandala diagram made with the color sand. That is being collected from the holy hills. Usually, the Mandala takes four days to draw, and it gets covered. This Mandala is central to the religious festival that lasts for ten days. The program includes 16 dances with interludes of comical effect.
Mani Rimdu Festival at Tengboche in Everest
Apart from the fresh air and green serenity of Tengboche monastery and the delightful Mani Rimdu festival, you will witness the stunning view of the world's highest peak, mt. Everest, Amadablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, Thamserku, Kantaga, etc. The tall rhododendron forest is the home of the Impeyan Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal, while the vast vultures dominate the skies above. Yellow-billed Chough and black ravens play on the wind. One can also see the Himalayan Thar, Goral, and musk deer grazing on the steps terraces. Rocks are carved into with prayer, and a bright flag is hung in high passes that carry the message of peace and compassion around the valleys.
Lama Gulu built the present Thyangboche in 1916, and this monastery has strong ties with the Rongbuk monastery in Tibet. An earthquake in 1934 severely damaged this monastery, which was burnt to the ground on 19 January 1989. Thus, Tengboche Mani Rimdu festival treks offer an exceptional opportunity to walk the Sherpa heartland and enjoy the spellbound Buddhist annual festival.
