Saga Dawa Festival Tour - The Birth of the Buddha
Saga Dawa Festival is observed by Tibetan Buddhist as one of the important festivals in their society. It therefore occupied an important position in the Tibetan society held each year on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. This festival is celebrated in honor of Sakyamuni's and his enlightenment.
This Saga Dawa festival has been celebrated by the Tibetan Buddhists for past thousand years or so. Just to take part in the festival is enough experience that provides us unlimited excitement and unforgettable memory last forever.
The 15th day of the fourth month on the Tibetan calendar is said to be the birthday of Sakyamuni, and the day when he died and attained Nirvana. During this period, hundreds of thousands of people turn their prayer wheels on the street in Lhasa, and then paddle boats in the Dragon King Pool, and sing and dance in the afternoon.
Saga Dawa Festival on April 15 marks the birth, transcendence and death of Sakyamuni. Pilgrims and secular folks will visit Lhasa and the festival is observed by turning prayer wheels, having vegetarian lunch and a picnic by the Dragon King Pond. Folk entertainers will perform Tibetan tradition; they will pay their homage to Buddha, observe a vegetarian rule, refrain from killing domestic animals and give out alms during the month.
The most important festival for Tibetan Buddhism, the 'Saga Dawa Festival' commemorates Shakyamuni's Buddhahood and the death of his mortal body. At every monastery sutras are recited and 'Cham' dances are performed. It is said that good deeds in the month of this festival deserve 300 fold in return and this leads many people to donate large sums to the religious orders, monasteries and to the beggars that gather at this time of year.
As the holiest in Tibet, there memorable occasions coincide on this day, Buddha's birth and Buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person within Lhasa joins in circumambulations round the city and spend their late afternoon on picnic at " Dzongyab Lukhang" park at the foot of the Potala.
Itinerary:
Day 01
|
Arrival in Kathmandu and Transfer to Hotel/Guest House |
Day 02
|
Kathmandu City Tour (Optional) Full or half day exploring some of the sights of Kathmandu, such as the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square). |
Day 03
|
Kathmandu to Zhangmu Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Nepal/China Friendship Bridge and drive to Zhangmu. O/N at hotel |
Day 04
|
Drive to Paigutso Lake, and Tented camp |
Day 05
|
Drive to Saga, and tented camp |
Day 06
|
Drive to Paryang, and tented camp |
Day 07
|
Drive to Manasarovar, and tented camp near Chiu Gompa |
Day 08 |
Drive to Tirthapuri, and tented camp |
| Day 09
|
Drive to Tholing and tented camp |
| Day 10 | Morning drive to Tsaparang (Guge Kingdom), and drive back to Tholing by the evening, and O/N at Guesthouse or Tented camp |
| Day 11 | Drive to Darchen, and tented camp |
| Day 12 | Trek to Derapuk, and tented camp |
| Day 13 | Dolma La pass (5600 meters.) and trek down to Zudulpuk, and camp |
| Day 14 | Trek to near Darchen (circumambulation ends here), and drive to Manasarovar, and tented camp |
| Day 15 | Drive to Paryang, and tented camp |
| Day 16 | Drive to Saga, and tented camp |
| Day 17 | Drive to Xigatse, and O/N at hotel |
| Day 18 | Drive to Gyantse, and O/N at hotel |
| Day 19 | Drive to Lhasa, and O/N at hotel |
| Day 20 | Lhasa Sightseeing tour Visit the Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and the Jokhang Temple |
| Day 21 | Flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Transfer to Gongar airport for your flight to Kathmandu. This is considered one of the most scenic flights in the world - over Everest and the Himalayas |
| Day 22 | Departure Day from Kathmandu |
