Tiji is a popular festival of the Mustang District in Nepal. The festival is most exciting at Lo Manthang, recognized as the Lo Kingdom. This festival falls in May and can vary depending upon the Tibetan Lunar. It lasts for three days and people of different towns of Mustang commend at Lo Manthang to celebrate the festival.

The star attractions of the festival are the customs and ceremonies that take place to praise the auspicious event which brings bliss, brightness, and hope. The series of events that take place sequentially in three days are fascinating and attracts people from throughout the country to be part of it.

The Tiji festival is originated from the Tenpa Chihi Rimdo festival of Mustang. It shows the adoration directed to thrive Buddha’s lessons on earth through wicked spirits that are enslaved. Later, people named it Tenchi Rimdo, and today as it is recognized as Tiji. It used to fall in the first month of the lunar schedule and later in the third month, which falls in May.

According to the chronicles identified with the festival, it is believed that the eighth King (Gyalpo) Samdrub Rabten of Mustang. He started it as friendly acceptance from the Sakya Trijin Ngawang Kunga Sonam at around 18650 AD. It was recognized as the Phur Dog celebration which was intended to remove the negatives through Kila. Tiji of May is celebrated for people in general and later in the Nepali month of Bhadra, it is celebrated for Lamas or priests of Chosde Monastery.

If we look into the folklore, we will find out the festival began after Dorje Jono prevailed the triumph upon his satanic father who wanted to devastate the realm of Mustang to spread the detestable spirits. It is the day when Dorje freed Mustang from decimation.

 The festival is exciting as the fundamental feature of the day is the veil move with lord Dorje Jono. He finishes a retreat of a quarter of a year in the religious community before coming out in the open occasion. Dorje Jono performs fascinating ceremonial traditional dances that are led by a group of priests wearing a facemask.

Several rituals take place which removes the evil forces from the territory and protects it with permed dances. On the last day of celebration, the Choho enslaves the Mara with Phurba, and it is called Phur Dok. In the end, a parade is out with the ruler leading it, and everyone plays the part in removing the evil in Norma.

Tiji festival is a living elusive legacy of the mountain region and is popular among Lamas. If you are planning to travel Mustang on your vacation in Nepal, you can schedule your trip to Mustang in May so that you can be the part of an exciting festival called Tiji.