Festivals are celebrated to remind us of the beauty of life. It teaches us to live life to the fullest forgetting all pains and sorrows. Tiji Festival is one of the annually celebrated festivals in the Upper Mustang Region during the month of May for 3 days. "Tiji" is the short form for "Tenchi." Both of which are abbreviations for “Tenpa Chirim”, which means “prayer for world peace”. It is believed that celebrating Tiji brings peace and prosperity to the people in Upper Mustang. The festival is expected to have started around 300 years ago as a symbol of the victory of good over evil.
The Upper Mustang Tiji Festival is a vibrant three-day celebration held annually in the walled city of Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang, typically in mid-May (14–16 May 2026 / 31 Baisakh – 2 Jestha 2083). Rooted in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the festival tells the story of Dorje Jono, a deity who battles a demon to save the kingdom from destruction, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Celebrated in the royal courtyard of Lo Manthang, Tiji features colorful masked dances, sacred rituals, and traditional music, attracting trekkers, cultural enthusiasts, and photographers from around the world. This festival offers a unique glimpse into Mustang’s spiritual heritage, set against the backdrop of its stark, high-altitude landscapes, making it one of Nepal’s most captivating cultural experiences.
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival 2026 Dates, Location & Time
The Upper Mustang Tiji Festival 2026 is celebrated over three days from 14–16 May 2026 (31 Baisakh – 2 Jestha 2083) in the royal courtyard of Lo Manthang, the walled capital of Upper Mustang. The festival features masked dances and sacred rituals performed daily, with the main ceremonies starting in the morning and continuing throughout the day, drawing both locals and trekkers to witness the vibrant cultural display.
Key Details:
- Dates: 14–16 May 2026 (31 Baisakh – 2 Jestha 2083)
- Time: Morning to late afternoon each day (main dances & rituals)
- Location: Royal Courtyard, Lo Manthang, Upper Mustang, Nepal
- Highlight: Traditional masked dances depicting the story of Dorje Jono’s victory over evil
Story Behind the Tiji Festival | History behind Tiji Festival
It is believed that Mustang was once in great trouble and was getting destroyed by a monster named Ma Tam Ru Ta, who fed on humans and cause storms and droughts. To combat, A hero named Dorje Jono stepped out and defeated the monster following the instructions given by the Buddhist master Padmasabhava. After this, the people of Upper Mustang started celebrating the festival to honor Dorje Jono, a god in Vajrayana Buddhism and said to be the reincarnation of Lord Buddha. Dorje Jono had other names like Dorje Phurba and Vajrakila or Vajrakumar. Hence, the ritual was named after him Vajrakila.
During the celebration, the monks of Lo Manthang's "Choedhe" monastery perform ritual dances. During the performances, the persecution of Ma Tam Ru Ta (on the first day, in a dance called "Tsa Chham"), the birth of Dorje Jono (on the second day, in a dance called "Nga Chham"), and the endeavor to return the demon to Lord Buddha's realm (on the third and final day) are portrayed.
Celebration of the Tiji Festival 2026 (May 14th - 16th 2026)
A lengthy ritual of prayer chants and spectacular masked dances are performed during the celebration, which mimics Dorje Jono's ancient fight with evil spirits. Before the big event, the primary dancer (Tsowo) goes on a three-month retreat. Descendants of the Mustang royal family along with all villagers from Upper Mustang's seven regions take part in this traditional dance, which is followed by several ceremonies. Tiji (or Tenchi) is a portion of the meditation practice centered on the Tantra text relating to Vajra Kumar (Vajra Kila) in the Mustangi (Lobo) tongue.
Prior to the meditation, there are two types of activities: first, calm dancing steps, and afterward the submission of negative energies, expressed in the second stage of the performance. The dancing ritual has three primary stages. There are 15 steps in the dance's preliminary section. The 'creation of the celestial palace' and 'production of deities' are then presented in two steps in the main portion. Finally, there are measures to remove everlasting and destructive perspectives and provide good fortune. Different positions and gestures represent different meditation processes in symbolic ways, and each of the dancing movements has deeper meanings. Seeing these steps is thought to take away obstacles from life.
Tiji festival is celebrated for three consecutive days, each of which has its own significance:
Day 1 – Tsa Chham (Opening Ritual of Mustang Festival)
14 May 2026 | 31 Baisakh 2083 | Sacred thangka display | Beginning of masked dances| Ritual storytelling begins
The Tiji Festival begins at noon on the first day. Throughout the day, the locals prepare for the occasion. The event begins with mighty sounds from Tibetan horns, Dhungchen, double-reeled horns, drums, and cymbals.
The event starts at the monastery, where local monks and performers are present. The monks proceed to the square and take a seat beneath the enormous Thangka painting that hangs on the square's southern wall. Then masked dance "Tsa Chaam" begins. This masked dance symbolizes Dorje Jono's triumph over evil.
Day 2- Nga Chham (Main Ritual Day of Tiji Festival)
15 May 2026 | 1 Jestha 2083 | Dramatic monk dances | Symbolic battle between good and evil | Cultural music and ceremonies
The monks perform the "Nga Cham" dance on the second day of the festival. The story of Dorje Jono, who attempted to restore the demon to the Buddha realm, is told on the second day. Female performers dressed in traditional clothes and jewelry make their way to the main square for the show. The principal ritual that demonstrates the generation of celestial palaces and gods is performed on the second day.
Final Day (Victory & Closing Ceremony of Tiji Festive)
16 May 2026 | 2 Jestha 2083 | Victory of good over evil | Ritual conclusion ceremonies | Blessings for peace and prosperity
The third or the final day of the performance begins with ceremonial music and is followed by the masked dance "Rha Chaam." This dance has a lively pace, and the dance itself emphasizes the defeat of evil.
As part of the closing ceremony, all of the performers appear, and the area fills with more music, dance, and shooting firearms. Dorje Jojo is performed by a monk who throws a statue made up of barley representing the demon "Ma Tam Ru Ta." Mustang now enjoys peace and prosperity with the defeat of this demon.
Upper Mustang Tiji Festival Trek 2026 Itinerary
To witness the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival 2026, it’s best to plan your arrival in Nepal a few days before the festival begins. The festival in Lo Manthang is scheduled for 14–16 May 2026 (31 Baisakh – 2 Jestha 2083). Since reaching Lo Manthang involves a flight to Jomsom followed by a 4–5 day trek through Kagbeni, Chele, and Tsarang, you should arrive in Kathmandu by 10–12 May 2026.
Festival Dates: 14–16 May 2026 (Thursday–Saturday)
Nepali Dates: 31 Baisakh – 2 Jestha 2083
Location: Lo Manthang
Duration: 10–12 days trek (Kathmandu – Lo Manthang – Kathmandu)
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Date: 10 May 2026 | 27 Baisakh 2083
- Arrive in Kathmandu, transfer to hotel
- Prepare trekking permits: Restricted Area Permit (RAP) + ACAP permit
- Briefing about Upper Mustang trek and Tiji festival
Day 2: Kathmandu – Pokhara (Optional) / Fly to Jomsom
Date: 11 May 2026 | 28 Baisakh 2083
- Fly from Kathmandu to Jomsom (or take a scenic jeep ride)
- Overnight in Jomsom
Day 3: Jomsom – Kagbeni – Chele
Date: 12 May 2026 | 29 Baisakh 2083
- Drive/trek to Kagbeni (3,000m), the gateway to Upper Mustang
- Continue trekking to Chele (3,600m)
- Overnight in a guesthouse or teahouse
Day 4: Chele – Tsarang
Date: 13 May 2026 | 30 Baisakh 2083
- Trek through beautiful landscapes, Mani walls, and Chortens
- Arrive in Tsarang, visit local monastery
- Overnight in Tsarang
Day 5: Tsarang – Lo Manthang
Date: 14 May 2026 | 31 Baisakh 2083
- Trek to Lo Manthang, the walled capital of Mustang
- Arrive in time for the first day of Tiji Festival (Tsa Chham)
- Enjoy the opening ritual & sacred thangka display
- Overnight in Lo Manthang
Day 6: Tiji Festival – Day 2 (Nga Chham)
Date: 15 May 2026 | 1 Jestha 2083
- Attend the main festival day with masked dances, music, and rituals
- Symbolic battle between good and evil
- Interact with locals and monks
- Overnight in Lo Manthang
Day 7: Tiji Festival – Final Day
Date: 16 May 2026 | 2 Jestha 2083
- Witness the grand finale, victory of good over evil
- Closing ceremony in the royal courtyard
- Explore Lo Manthang palace, monastery, and village
- Overnight in Lo Manthang
Day 8: Lo Manthang – Chhoser / Geling
Date: 17 May 2026 | 3 Jestha 2083
- Trek back towards Geling / Chhoser
- Scenic landscapes and traditional villages
- Overnight at teahouse
Day 9: Geling – Kagbeni
Date: 18 May 2026 | 4 Jestha 2083
- Trek to Kagbeni
- Leisure evening, prepare for return journey
- Overnight in Kagbeni
Day 10: Kagbeni – Jomsom – Fly to Kathmandu
Date: 19 May 2026 | 5 Jestha 2083
- Trek/drive back to Jomsom
- Fly to Kathmandu
- Overnight in Kathmandu
Day 11: Departure from Kathmandu
Date: 20 May 2026 | 6 Jestha 2083
- Final shopping or sightseeing in Kathmandu
- Departure
Tiji Festival Notes:
- Festival Duration: 3 days (14–16 May 2026)
- Location: Royal courtyard of Lo Manthang
- Highlights: Masked dances, sacred thangka display, rituals, victory of good over evil
- Permit Required: Restricted Area Permit (RAP) + ACAP
- Best Arrival: 13 May 2026 (to settle before festival starts)
Where does the Tiji festival Mustang take place?
Tiji festival is held every year with the intention of establishing peace throughout the world. As it is a lunar festival, the dates vary from year to year and the date is fixed according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. Tiji Festival is a dynamic and colorful event that honors Mustang's rich cultural heritage. It is an event immersed in symbolism and tradition. It is a moment for people from all over to get together to celebrate life, community, and culture.
Experience the Upper Mustang Tiji Festival 2026 with Index Adventure!
Join us from 14–16 May 2026 (31 Baisakh - 2 Jestha 2083) in the royal courtyard of Lo Manthang for three unforgettable days of masked dances, sacred rituals, and vibrant cultural celebrations. Trek through the stunning landscapes of Upper Mustang, witness the story of Dorje Jono’s triumph over evil, and immerse yourself in the unique heritage of this remote kingdom.
Book your adventure now with Index Adventure and secure your spot for the Tiji Festival 2026, limited permits available!
