Experience Mani Rimdu at Tengboche Monastery: A Spiritual Highlight of Your EBC Trek The Mani Rimdu Festival is celebrated at Thame Monastery and Tengboche Monastery, but the version at Tengboche is the most well-known and widely attended. Both monasteries carry the same spiritual significance and follow similar rituals. Still, Tengboche’s popularity lies in its scale, accessibility during trekking season, and stunning Himalayan backdrop, making it the most iconic cultural event in the Everest region. The Tengboche Mani Rimdu, held from November 5 to 7, 2025, attracts a larger crowd of locals, monks, and international visitors. It features the elaborate masked dances, blessings, and spiritual rituals of the Mani Rimdu festival. In contrast, the Mani Rimdu Festival at Thame Monastery, celebrated from June 5 to 7, 2025, offers a quieter experience with fewer tourists and an intensely local atmosphere. It’s ideal for those seeking a peaceful connection with Sherpa Buddhist traditions without the crowds. Mani Rimdu Festival in Tengboche Monastery According to the Tibetan lunar calendar, the Mani Rimdu is the most significant festival in the Everest region, held every Autumn, usually in October or November, at the Tengboche Monastery. In 2025, it will be celebrated from November 5 to 7. This 19-day Buddhist celebration honors the victory of Buddhism over the indigenous Bon religion and serves as a blessing for the Sherpa people. Against a snow-capped mountain backdrop, the dramatic and profound ancient spiritual 3-day event draws and attracts monks, locals, and international visitors alike. Day One: Wong, the blessing ceremony On the first day of the public celebration, the head lama (Rinpoche) performs rituals (Wong) and a blessing ceremony. Sacred texts are recited throughout the day. Day Two: Chham dance On the second day, the monks dance with masks on their faces, representing deities and demons from Buddhist cosmology. Each dance tells a specific story from a religious text, based on the spiritual and philosophical teachings of Lord Buddha. The vibrant costumes and masks worn by the performers are centuries old in design, reflecting deep symbolic meanings and traditions passed down through generations. The dances symbolically conquer evil forces and negative energies. Each movement, mask, and chant is part of a sacred ritual intended to purify the environment and bless all who witness it. Day Three: Jinsak, the fire puja On the third day, a sacred fire ritual will be held in the monastery's courtyard. The primary purpose of fire puja is to destroy hostile forces. The intricate sand mandala created earlier is ceremoniously dissolved and carried to a nearby river, symbolizing the impermanence of all things. Festival events, such as Mani Rimdu, provide an opportunity to marvel at masked dances or share a meal with locals; these events transform a Himalayan trek into a journey of cultural connection.