Sacred Himalayan Festival Mani Rimdu in the Lower Region of Everest 2017
Story by Last Frontiers Trekking
Posted: May 2, 2013EXPEDITION DETAILS
Join Last Frontiers to this remote village of solu to be engaged in the scared ceremonies and empowering prayers of the Mani Rimdu Festival. Travel with local guides of Nepal to this low land of the Everest Region, exploring, learning and celebrating the festival together with the local and the monastic community of the Chiwong Monastery. Mani Rimdu is a re-creation of legendary events; the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet by the great saint, Guru Rimphoche (Padmasambhava). Through the dances, symbolic demons are conquered, dispelled, or converted to Dharma Protectors, as positive forces clash with those of chaos.
The dances convey Buddhist teachings on many levels - from the simplest to the most profound - for those who do not have the opportunity to study and meditate extensively. From the beginning until the end of the festival, 24-hour puja's (rituals) are performed by the monks to consecrate the Mandala, the Mani Rilwu Pills (sacred pills), the Tshereel (pills for long life) and the Torma. From the time the Mandala is carefully constructed, grain by grain, from colored sand; an intricate and symbolic design that takes many days to complete. The mantra is repeated thousands of times, and the day of the Wong is the opening public ceremony. It's performed on the full moon day, of the tenth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. The Dances take place of the 2nd day of the Mani Rimdu. After that, the fire puja is performed in the courtyard the day after the dances. The fire puja is an offering to the Agni (the god of fire), and to the Gods of the mandala - to allay all harm in the world.
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15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS (Dates tba)
Day 01 Arrive in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu. Last Frontiers representative will receive you at the international airport, please see SIGN for Last Frontiers Trekking. You will then be transferred to your hotel in the Thamel district. The Hotel is convenient for small shopping, restaurants, ATMs, internet cafes, and much more. The rest of the day is free on your own to explore this tourist district of Kathmandu. Short Briefing by LFT Representative about the Area
Overnight at Hotel in Thamel with Breakfast on Twin Sharing (Marshyangdi or Manang)
Day 02 Full day sightseeing Tour
After an early morning breakfast at the Hotel, today we do a tour of the UNESCO Heritage sites. We will be visiting Pashupatinath, a famous and religious Shiva Temple for the Hindus. Come across with the Himalayan yogis and see the rituals performed by the Brahmin Priests along the Bagmati River (Holy River). Then, we walk towards the Boudhanath Stupa. Boudhanath is a religious pilgrimage site for the Buddhist people of Nepal, Tibet, and the region. Here in Boudhanath, you will find pilgrims going clock wise around the big stupa of Boudha.
After Boudhanath, we will drive to Patan Durbar Square. This is a heritage site for the Hindus where you get to see the old architecture of the temples, and pagodas. After touring in Patan, you will drive back to the hotel in the late afternoon. This evening, you will briefed by Last Frontiers - Founder Mr. Mingma Dorji Sherpa
Overnight at Hotel in Thamel with Breakfast on Twin Sharing (Marshyangdi or Manang)
Day 03 Fly to Phaplu
Early departure to Kathmandu airport, we will tentatively fly to Phaplu at 7:00 am. Today is an easy day at Phaplu, we will visit some Sherpa traditional homes, hospital and school at this village.
Overnight here in Phaplu in Lodge (Meals included, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 04 Hike to Najing Kharka
Early morning, after breakfast, we hike towards Thupten chholing Gompa. We will hike and camp at Najing Kharka, and old small Sherpa village. The hike from Phaplhu to Najing Kharka will be approximately 5 hours.
Overnight here in Najing Kharka in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Phaplhu, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 05 Hike to Junbesi
Early morning from Najing Kharka we will hike to Junbesi (2600 mt.), home to the heart of traditional Sherpa culture. We hike about 5 hours to Junbesi. We will have lunch along the way at a small tea shop or a small lodge.
Overnight here in Junbesi in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Najing Kharka, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 06 Hike to Thupten Choling Gompa
From here, today we will start an early morning hike to Thupten choling Gompa. Today, we will hike about 5 hours, we will have lunch along the way.
Overnight here in Junbesi in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Junbesi, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 07 Explore day
Today, we wake up with sounds of the monks chanting and praying. After breakfast, we will take a tour of the Thupten Chholing Monastery 2800mt. Explore the monastery and meditate with nuns. Rest of the day is to on your own to explore.
Overnight here in Thupten Choling in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Phaplu, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 08 Hike to Phurteng
Today, after breakfast in Thupten Choling Gompa, we depart to Phurteng. En-route we might be able to see view of Everest and Thamserku. We will hike approximately 4 hours to Phurteng.
Overnight here in Phurteng in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Thupten Choling, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 09 Hike to Chiwong
Today, after breakfast, we will hike down towards Chiwong Monastery. The hiking is about 4 hours towards Chiwong. This ancient and remote monastery in the solu region of Everest is the ancient route to Everest Base Camp. Upon reaching the Chiwong Monastery, we will check into a lodge and then visit the monastery.
Overnight here in Chiwong in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Thupten Choling, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 10 Visit Monastery
Today is the first day of Mani Rimdu at Chiwong Monastery. We will visit the monastery, and sit down among the locals to hear the monks chant and pray. We will also listen and get audience of the Rimpoche from the monastery.
Overnight here in Chiwong in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Chiwong, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 11 Chiwong
Today is the second day of the festival, for the westerners known as the Mask Dancing day. If you prefer, not to attend the entire day at the monastery, then we can take an optional hike.
Overnight here in Chiwong in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Chiwong, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 12 Chiwong
Today, we do an early morning hike to see the village and return back for lunch in the afternoon. After returning back to Chiwong, we will then visit the Monastery to see the - Fire initiation ritual performed by the monks, and also the destruction of the sand mandala.
Overnight here in Chiwong in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Chiwong, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 13 Hike to Phaplu
After an early morning breakfast at the lodge, we will then pack our bag to hike towards Phaplu. The hike to Phaphlu is approximately about 4 hours, and you should be there to before late afternoon to relax and take a nice shower.
Overnight here in Phaplu in Lodge (Meals included, breakfast in Chiwong, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 14 Fly back to Kathmandu
Today, we will fly out to Kathmandu. Depending on the weather and flight time, we should be ready to head to the Phaplu airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport, we will transfer you to our hotel in Thamel. The rest of the afternoon is on your own to explore and relax.
Overnight at Hotel in Thamel with Breakfast on Twin Sharing (Marshyangdi or Manang)
Day 15 Half day sightseeing tour
Today, we will tour some of the other remaining highlights of Kathmandu. We will visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu valley.
Overnight at Hotel in Thamel with Breakfast on Twin Sharing (Marshyangdi or Manang)
Day 16 Final departure
Today after a breakfast at the hotel, we will get ready to pack for our home bound international flight. Our representative will provide the transfer for you to the international airport.
Breakfast this morning