The Shoton Festival is one of Tibet’s most well-known cultural festivals. It commemorates the end of the Tibetan monks’ meditation season, the viewing of Tibetan dramatic operas, and Tibetan Buddhism.
It takes place every year in August, or late in the sixth or early in the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar. The Shoton Festival has evolved into a multifaceted event that has influenced Tibet’s culture.
It is a fantastic opportunity for Tibetans and tourists alike. It has also evolved into a market day, as well as a time for competitions, performances, and other forms of entertainment. Visitors that attend the festival get a unique sense of Tibet and its culture. With TIPA’s accumulation of Funds for the Annual Yarkyi Festival, we wait for your presence. Our Tibetan Dance and Theatre group put up an amazing show.
History
The Shoton festival has a long history dating back to the 14th century when master Tsongkapa lived. From Saga Dawa (4th month of Tibetan lunar calendar) through Shoton Festival, he established a custom for monks to focus on meditation at monasteries (29th day of 6th lunar month).
Tibet’s temperature is at its maximum at that time. In the middle of summer, there are a lot of minute insects that you can’t see but can easily tread on. That is why monks avoided going outside. Monks and religious folk went on retreats in caves or stayed in monasteries to avoid killing and earn merit.
Various Activities
The Thangka will be unveiled at the Drepung Monastery on the opening day of the celebration. Then the Norbulingka celebrations will commence.
Lhasa locals will assemble in the park to celebrate by eating yogurt and watching operas. Professional and amateur Tibetan opera troupes perform a variety of Tibetan operas in the Norbulingka every year.
Visitors can observe yak races, horse races, and dancing in addition to Tibetan operas and other religious activities.
Shoton is celebrated for a week in Tibet, although the first two days are the most important. Tibetans get up early on the first day of the festival to visit two major monasteries in Lhasa: Drepung in the morning and Sera in the afternoon.
Do you want to be a part of Tibet’s one-of-a-kind festival?
TIPA provides a limited number of Shoton Festival Experience through its rich Tibetan Arts and Culture. Come experience the intense religious atmosphere with us at this fascinating celebration. Alternatively, you may create your own Tibet itinerary that includes this festival right away.
