MUSTANG: The celebration of ‘Tiji’ festival having historical and cultural importance has been observed at Lomanthang in Mustang since last Friday.
The festival is being marked by demonstrating a large-size thanka depicting a portrait of Buddhist religious preacher Padamsamba Rimpoche at the courtyard of Lomanthang palace and offering prayers as per the religious procedure.
The thanka that is as high as a two-storey house building is brought outside the palace and made open for the public once a year for observation and prayers.
Locals of Lomanthang and Loghekar Damodarkunda rural municipalities observe the Tiji festival for three days in the month of Jestha (last week of May).
Chhewang Ringjing Gurugn, a ward member of Lomanthang rural municipality-5, said Tiji is the biggest and most auspicious festival in upper Mustang which is mostly celebrated by Lowa community.
“Along with residents of two rural municipalities, foreign tourists are also thronging Lomanthang for the celebration of the festival”, he said, adding the festival has not been limited to cultural and ritual celebration but a medium to attract foreign tourists.
