Saka Dawa Festival

14 Day(s)

Overview The Saka Dawa Festival is one of the most significant religious events celebrated in Tibet, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. This sacred occasion falls on the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, which typically corresponds to May or June in the Gregorian calendar. The festival lasts for the entire month and draws pilgrims from all over Tibet and beyond. During the Saka Dawa Festival, devout Buddhists engage in various religious activities, including visiting monasteries, performing prostrations, and participating in prayer sessions. The most iconic event is the giant thangka unveiling at the Tashilhunpo…

Overview

The Saka Dawa Festival is one of the most significant religious events celebrated in Tibet, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. This sacred occasion falls on the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, which typically corresponds to May or June in the Gregorian calendar. The festival lasts for the entire month and draws pilgrims from all over Tibet and beyond.

During the Saka Dawa Festival, devout Buddhists engage in various religious activities, including visiting monasteries, performing prostrations, and participating in prayer sessions. The most iconic event is the giant thangka unveiling at the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. This enormous, intricately embroidered silk painting of Buddha revealed and displayed to the public, and its unveiling considers as a blessings and spiritual merit.

In Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street witness throngs of pilgrims circumambulating the sacred site with prayer wheels and chanting prayers. The atmosphere is also electrifying, filled with a profound sense of devotion and religious fervor.

Many locals take part in charitable activities during Saka Dawa, such as releasing animals, distributing alms to the needy, and contributing to the construction and restoration of monasteries. This spirit of compassion and generosity reflects the core teachings of Buddhism.

For tourists visiting Tibet during the Saka Dawa Festival, it offers a unique opportunity to witness the richness of Tibetan culture and spirituality. However, it is essential to be respectful of the local customs and traditions during this holy time.

Conclusion and Summary

In conclusion, the Saka Dawa Festival in Tibet is also a vibrant and spiritually charged month-long celebration, commemorating the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. Pilgrims and tourists alike experience the deep-rooted Tibetan Buddhist traditions, creating an unforgettable and enlightening journey amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Tibetan plateau.

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Trip Highlights

The Saka Dawa Festival in Mt Kailash and Mansarovar is a truly unique and unforgettable experience, filled with rich cultural and spiritual significance. Here are some of the trip highlights:

The Saka Dawa Festival: This festival is a major highlight of the trip, as it is a time when the local Tibetan people come together to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. The festival involves colorful processions, music, dance, and other cultural activities.
Lake Mansarovar: This sacred lake is believed to have healing properties and is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains. The lake is stunningly beautiful, with crystal-clear water surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Mount Kailash: This is one of the most sacred sites in Tibetan Buddhism and is revered by people of many faiths. The mountain is believed to be the home of the gods, and circumambulating it is considered a powerful act of devotion.
Trekking: The trip involves a three-day trek around Mount Kailash, which is a challenging but rewarding experience. The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayan landscape and the chance to connect with other pilgrims from around the world.
Cultural and historical sites: The trip also includes visits to important cultural and historical sites in Lhasa, such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.
Local food and culture: The trip provides opportunities to sample local Tibetan cuisine and learn about the region’s rich cultural traditions.

Overall, the Saka Dawa Festival in Mt Kailash and Mansarovar is an extraordinary journey that offers a profound and transformative experience for those seeking to connect with ancient spiritual traditions and explore the stunning natural beauty of the Himalayan region.

Itinerary

Arrive in Lhasa and meet with your guide and group. Rest and acclimatize to the high altitude.

Visit cultural and historical sites such as the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

Drive to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, and visit the Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Drive to Saga, a small town in western Tibet, and spend the night.

Drive to Lake Mansarovar, one of the most sacred lakes in Tibet, and perform rituals and ceremonies.

Spend a day acclimatizing to the altitude and participating in rituals and ceremonies.

Drive to Darchen, the starting point for the trek around Mt. Kailash, and spend the night.

Begin the trek around Mt. Kailash and hike to Dirapuk Monastery, where you will spend the night.

Continue the trek to Zuthulpuk Monastery, passing through the high Drolma La Pass.

Complete the trek and return to Darchen, where you will spend the night.

Drive back to Saga and spend the night.

Drive to Shigatse and spend the night.

Drive back to Lhasa and spend the night.

Depart Lhasa for your onward journey.

What's Included

All necessary permits and visa fees
Airport transfers
Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses
Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, mattress, etc.) during the trek
All meals during the trek
Transportation by private vehicle
English-speaking guide
Entrance fees to cultural and historical sites
Oxygen cylinders and first aid kit

What's Excluded

International airfare
Travel insurance
Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and shopping
Tips for guides and staff
Additional meals and drinks outside of those provided during the trek
Any extra costs incurred due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays or cancellations.

Trip Information

Saka Dawa is a major festival celebrated by Tibetan Buddhists, marking the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. It falls on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month, which typically falls in May or June. This festival is a significant occasion for Tibetan Buddhists, and many pilgrims travel to sacred sites such as Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar during this time.

Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are located in the Himalayan region of western Tibet, which is currently a part of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. These sites are considered sacred by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bonpo practitioners, and are popular destinations for pilgrims from all over the world.

To travel to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar during Saka Dawa, you will need to obtain the necessary permits from the Chinese government. It is also recommended that you book a tour with a reputable travel agency that specializes in this type of pilgrimage.

The trip to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar typically takes around two weeks and involves a combination of road and trekking routes. The journey begins in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, where you will spend a few days acclimatizing to the altitude and exploring the city’s many cultural and historical sites.

From Lhasa, you will travel by road to the town of Saga, where you will spend the night. The following day, you will continue to Lake Mansarovar, where you will spend several days acclimatizing and performing rituals and ceremonies.

After Lake Mansarovar, you will embark on a three-day trek around Mt. Kailash, which is considered one of the most sacred sites in Tibetan Buddhism. The trek is challenging but rewarding, with breathtaking views of the Himalayan landscape and the opportunity to connect with fellow pilgrims from around the world.

Overall, a trip to Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar during Saka Dawa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travelers, offering a unique opportunity to connect with one of the world’s most ancient and profound spiritual traditions.