Tibetan Fairy Festival, women’s festival in Tibet

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

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Tibetan Fairy Festival, women’s festival in Tibet actually, was celebrated on Wednesday. The Tibetan Fairy Festival is celebrated on Oct. 15 in the Tibetan calendar, when various kinds of religious activities are held. On this day, girls and women can ask for money from any man they meet. Men have to be very generous with their money on this day so that they can be endorsed with good luck in the coming new year. They are also dressed up to make pilgrimages in temples, present Khadas to their respected angels, treat themselves to go shopping, have magnificent food, etc.

Tibetan Fairy Festival

While in family, parents have to give money to children on this day as gifts to celebrate their plentiful harvest in autumn and the coming of a new year. And Tibetan people gather around at Jokhang Temple and women all dressed up with beautiful traditional clothes singing and dancing.

As for the origin of the Fairy Festival in Tibet, one worth mention is the palden lhamo, Bandanlamu, who used to be a person of the Indian mythology. Later on, when Srongtsen Gampo built the Jokhang Temple at Lhasa, he made the Bandanlamu as the dharma protector of the Temple. Been affected by the original Religion and folk culture, many stories and legend of earthliness color have been derived from her. In the stories, Bandanlamu became an old Tibetan woman with odd temper and three daughters. At the Fairy Festival, the Temple welcomes is the oldest daughter, Baibadongze.

Though Baibadongze is not good looking, being the goddness with the face of frog, she was full of tenderness or affection and fell in love with the general, Chizunzan. When Bandanlamu knew this, she was strongly against it. In a violent rage, she drove away Chizunzan to the southern bank of Lhasa River, and made the rule that only on Oct, 15th of Tibetan Lunar Calendar can they see each other across the river. Unlucky as Baidonglaze was, she was kind and amiable to protect the women and children, so people felt sympathized over her, and they made Oct, 15th as the Fairy Festival. Nowadays, together with Srongtsen Gampo, they are set at the courtyard of Jokhang Temple, for people to worship.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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