Tibet festival tours are designed to
provide a great insight into the culture, tradition and religious practices of
the locals living in this great Himalayan Kingdom. The Shoton festival, one
that commemorates the completion of meditation and the beginning of ‘yogurt’
eating by the monks is a never-to miss occasion.
When
Is It Celebrated-
The festival is usually held in the
month of August-September, the late August to early September of the calendar
or from 30th of sixth month till the
beginning of the seventh month according to the Tibetan calendar. The
festival focuses upon the traditions and joy of living by the Tibetans. There
are shopping, market fares, entertainment in the form of operas and many more.
Where
Is It Held?
The streets and squares of Lhasa, wear
festive colors to note the occasion making it an occasion of great interest for
the visitors coming
on a Tibet festival tour. Although the center of location is in the
western part of Lhasa, in Drepung monastery and Norbulingka,
the summer palace of the great Dalai Lama, one can see the celebrations
everywhere else too, with people coming in to celebrate in masses.
How
Is It Celebrated?
After practicing strict religious
aspects in the earlier months, the Shoton festival ends the season with
offerings of Yogurt. The celebrations begin earnestly with the unveiling of the
Thangka, a giant applique made out of silk and gold threads. This is done in
the Drepung monastery, and the Sera monastery, after which the festivities
begin.
What
Are The Major Attractions?
While there are celebrations all
around, Giant Thangka display and the Tibetan
opera shows form the most popular viewing point. The opera stars the localities
from various districts coming up to put on a show to depict their culture,
religion and many more.
While the opera, with its enchanting
and colorful shoes, form the main attraction to the festival, the spirits
exhibited by the Tibetans during this occasion is what people come to watch.
Large mats are put on the ground, with families and friends gathered around to
sit and watch, drink and make merry around the festive season.
This in itself finds many takers for the
Shoton festival tour organized by the local travel agents in Tibet.
