• Duration 10 Days / 9 Nights
  • Price from $1259 / person
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • Max Altitude 3870 Meter

Mani Rimdu Festival is celebrated at Tengboche, Thame, and Chiwong Monastery of Solukhumbu Nepal. This is a sacred ceremony and series of events of empowerment. It is a sequence of nineteen days of celebration, which concludes with a three-day public festival. Sherpa gets time to gather and celebrate this festival with the monastic community.  Lamas and Sherpa gather at the monastery for five days for the welfare of the world.  Demons are quelled and the virtuous are rewarded. The monks wear elaborate masks, and costumes and through a series of ritualistic Lama dances, dramatize the triumph of Buddhism over Bon, The main first days of the festival involve prayers, second day for colorful lama dancing, they wear brocade gowns and wonderfully painted papier-mâché masks. The last day is for some humorous dances and chanting prayers. Hundreds of local people and foreign tourists attend the performance. This trek rewards you to see the real and ideal culture of the Sherpa people and the great Himalayan picturesque views.

When is Mani Rimdu for the year 2024?

The date of the Mani Rimdu festival is fixed according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. The head lama at the Tyangboche Monastery announces the dates after the Tibetan New Year. In Tengboche, the Mani Rimdu is performed in the 9th Tibetan month which usually falls in October or November full-moon. For the year 2024, the festival will be celebrated on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of October.

Mani Ramdu is divided into six Preparations:
Construction of the Sand Mandala 

The sand mandala is constructed step by step. Colored sand is used to build complicated and symbolic designs. Sand mandala takes many days to complete. Defensive blades symbolizing deities are placed around the Mandala. The bowl of Mani Rilwu pills (spiritual medicine) is placed above the center. The Mandala symbolizes the palace of Garwang Thoze Chenpo (Lord of the Dance). Creation of the Buddha of Kindness, the main idol of Mani Rimdu. The mantra "OM AH HUNG RHI, OM MANI PADME HUMG” is repeated thousands of times by the monks during the weeks of ceremony before the public festival. During meditation, they imagine kindness flowing in the form of the mantra, into the Mandala and the Mani Rilwu pills. Kindness then releases out from the Mandala, blessing all those who attend the Mani Rimdu festival.

Wong (The Empowerment)

The Wong is the opening day of the public ceremony. It´s performed on the full moon day, of the tenth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. The sacred Mani Rilwu (sacred or blessed pills) and Tshereel (pills for long life), are given to everyone attending.

Chham (The Mask Dances)

The dances take place on the 2nd day of Mani Rimdu. Symbolic demons are conquered, chased away, or transformed into Protectors of Dharma. As the theme of the dance positive forces fight with those of disorder through the dances. The dances convey Buddhist teaching on many levels from the simplest to the most philosophical. During the dance, the monks are believed to become divine beings. The dances are only performed during Mani Rimdu because they are considered to be very Sacred, and not for ordinary entertainment. 

Ser-Kyem

Ser-Kyem is most commonly used to make tea offerings to Dharma guards such as Mahakala. It has two pieces: a larger raised dish-shaped bowl and a smaller raised offering bowl. The smaller is placed in an upright position in the larger dish when the offering is being made. When not in use, the smaller offering bowl is placed upside down in the larger bowl. The food offerings can also be placed in the larger dish when in use. This offering of spiritual nectar is made in many ceremonies. The six dancers represent Ngag-pa, Tantric magicians.

They make offerings of alcohol from silver vessels, and small tormas, to the Lama, Yidam, Khandro, and Shi-Dak (the Earth deities). A Buddhist consultant takes ‘refuge’ in the Lama (spiritual guide), Yidam (personal deity), and Khandro (wisdom dakini). A central theme in Tibetan Buddhist practice is to make offerings to these beings so that they will help with the virtuous actions that lead to Buddhahood.

The Fire Puja (Jinsak)

The Fire Puja is performed in the yard the day after the dances. The Fire Puja is an offering to Agni (the god of fire), and to the Gods of the mandala - to allay all harm in the world. The harm is visualized as dissolving into the grain and butter is burned.
Afterward, the sand mandala in the temple is pulled to pieces, and the sand is given as an offering to the serpent gods (Nagas).

Chhingpa

The next dance portrays the Four Protecting Ghings, defending the Buddhist faith against attack by demons. Shining paper masks hide the faces of the dancers, each a different color and each displaying a constant smile. The dancers´ hops are rhythmically accompanied by the beating of cymbals. The dancers charge at children in the audience and scare them for fun.

The Dakini dance is performed genially.  Slow motion dance steps, keeping perfect time with the soft tinkle and slow beat of bells and drums is performed by five young priests. The dancers are without masks, and portray female spiritual figures; the partners of Padmasambhava. It is believed that they come from his pure land of Shangdok Palri where they live within his mandala. They herald the imminent arrival of Guru Rinpoche at the Mani Rimdu. Two of the Ghing are male, and carry cymbals, while the two females carry drums. The males represent skillful means and the females represent wisdom; these two aspects of the path The torma is made from barley flour and decorated with colored butter. It begins by symbolizing the body of the deity, and by the end of the ceremony, symbolizes enlightenment itself. It stands in front of the mandala on its shrine, at the very heart of the temple.

This trek can be combined with Everest Base Camp Trek, Everest Panorama Trek aka Everest View Trek, Gokyo and Everest Base Camp Trek, and Everest Ultimate Trek which is also known as Everest Three High Passes Trek. Mani Rimdu festival is also celebrated in Chiwong Monastery in the lower Everest region of Solokhumbu

Itinerary

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This is our standard itinerary. It can be customized or slightly changed if required considering your pace and trekking habit that cause to change of day to day plan

Drive to Manthali by car from Kathmandu. The distance is 132KM and that takes 4 hours drive. Manthali is lower than Kathmandu so it is warmer than Kathmandu.  

  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Lodge
  • 474M
  • Manthali

Take a 25-minute scenic flight from Manthali to Lukla (2800m); have breakfast and then continue our journey passing through many Buddhist monuments during the trail finally, we reach Phakding which takes about 3 hours. We will have lunch there. Evening time, You go for a village walk. Overnight in Lodge.  

  • Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner
  • Trekking Lodge
  • 2610m
  • Phakding

In the morning after breakfast, we begin from the hotel and we reach Monjo after 1.5 hour's walk passing many suspension bridges with a good view of Mt. Thamserku and Kusum Kangaru. We should enter our permit and will have lunch in Jorsalle. Then we start to climb steep up slowly passing a high suspension bridge to Namche Bazar which takes about two and half hours. We have a great view of Khwangde Range and Thamserku. Overnight in Lodge at Namche Bazaar.

  • Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner
  • Trekking Lodge
  • 3440m
  • Namche Bazaar

Today, we will hike to Everest View Hotel for a panoramic and spectacular view of the mountains. It takes 2 hours to reach there and enjoy the view of the mountains. Then we climb down to Khumjung village to the visit monastery and Khumjung Hillary School. It takes about 1 hour. We can see the Skull of Yeti inside the Monastery. This is the biggest Sherpa village in the Khumbu region. Again we continue our trek to Khunde village which takes about 1 hour. We will have lunch there and visit the old monastery and Khunde Hospital. We come back to our hotel in Namche via Syangboche village. It takes about 1 and a half hours. Overnight in Lodge.

  • Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner
  • Trekking Lodge
  • 3440m
  • Namche Bazaar

In the morning, we start our trek like the day before. The level trail continues till reaching Kyanjuma village and takes about 1 & half hours. Then it climbs down to the Dudh Kosi River and crosses a suspension bridge. We can see a series of picturesque water-driven prayer wheels. Then we will have lunch in Phungi Thangna. The steep ascent takes us to Tengboche. We can visit the monastery in the evening. The views of the mountains, Sunrise as well as Sunset are spectacular in the morning and evening. Overnight in Lodge.

  • Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner
  • Trekking Lodge
  • 3870m
  • Tengboche / Deboche

Today we attend the festival. We will watch the famous mask dance performed by monks in front of Tengboche Monastery, The Fire Puja, Empowerment Puja and blessings, Ser Kyam which is offerings to Dharma guards such as Mahakala. Overnights in Lodge.

  • Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner
  • Trekking Lodge
  • 3870m
  • Tengboche / Deboche

We will observe the the famous mask dance performed by monks in front of Tengboche Monastery, The Fire Puja, Empowerment Puja, and Blessings, Serkyam which is offerings to Dharma guards such as Mahakala.  

  • Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner
  • Trekking Lodge
  • 3870m
  • Tengboche / Deboche

After having breakfast, we return back the same way to Namche Bazaar. Firstly our trail descends to Dudh Kosi River and again trail ascent brings us to reach Kyangjuma village which takes 3 hours. We will have lunch there. After lunch, the trail continues straight until reaching Namche, which takes about 2 hours to reach. Overnight in Lodge.

  • Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner
  • Trekking Lodge
  • 3440M
  • Namche Bazaar

In the morning, we will leave the Namche Bazar and the trail descends through pine trees and cross the high suspension bridge over the Dudh Kosi River. Then our trail continues River side and we arrive in Jorsalle and it takes about 2 and half hours. We will continue again our trek until reaching Phakding crossing several bridges about 1 and half-hour hours walk. We will have our lunch there. After lunch, our trail continues until Lukla passes up and down which takes about 2 hours. Overnight in Lodge.

  • Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner
  • Trekking Lodge
  • 2800m
  • Lukla

Catch the early morning flight back to Manthali; drive to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Trip conclusion and your trip comes to an end with us. Nothing but share the e-mails and arrange photos.

  • Breakfast
  • Not included
  • 1300M
  • Kathmandu
Customized Trip

What's Included

  • A registered and experienced local trekking guide.
  • 1 Sharing porter between 2 clients to carry your main pack (weight limit 25 kg)
  • Daily 3 times meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek.
  • Tea, coffee, cookies and fresh fruits during the trek.
  • Lukla round flight with airport taxes.  
  • Necessary trekking permits for Mani Rimdu festival trek.
  • Guide and porters fee with all of their expenditures.
  • Insurance for guide and porters as per state low.
  • All local taxes, office service charge.

 

What's Excluded

  • Accommodation, meals and transfers  in Kathmandu.
  • Guided tour and monuments entrance fees in Kathmandu.
  • Bar drinks, beverages such as coke, fanta, mineral water
  • Hot shower, hot water, internet and personal nature expenses.
  • Personal trekking gear, travel insurance,.
  • Rescue evacuation fees in case of emergency.
  • Tips for guide and porters.

Availabilities

Mani Rimdu Festival date for the year 2021 will be fixed Tibetan Lhosar. The head lama at the Tengboche Monastery will announce the date for the festival.
Start Date End Date Status Note Price  
October 13, 2024 October 22, 2024 Guaranteed US$1299
October 14, 2024 October 23, 2024 Guaranteed US$1259
October 15, 2024 October 24, 2024 Guaranteed US$1239

Useful Information

Trip Note: The trip price will be according to Deluxe, Standard, Budget and group size and many people combine this trek with legendary Everest Base Camp Trek and Everest Three High Passes Trek so please kindly provide us your details for your customized tour package.

FAQs

The date of the Mani Rimdu festival is fixed according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. In Tengboche the Mani Rimdu is performed in the 9th Tibetan month which usually falls in October or November full-moon. Mani Rimdu Festival date for the year 2020 is celebrating on 31st October, 1st and 2nd November. 

This is a sacred ceremonies and series of events of empowerment celebrated in Tengboche Monastery, Thame Monastery and in Chiwong Monastery. It is a sequence of nineteen days celebration, which concludes with three days public festival that is on 31st Oct, 1st and 2nd November this year 2020.

This festival is celebrated in Tengboche Monastery, Thame Monastery at Thame and in Chiwong Monastery in Phapu near Junbesi

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