Join us on one of the biggest celebrations of the Everest region in 2024 by doing the Mani Rimdu festival trek. The festival is going to take place from the 15th to the 17th of November. You will leave Kathmandu four days before the festival starts, which gives you ample time to reach Tengboche village, where it is going to take place.
The Mani Rimdu festival trek 12 days is guided by an expert mountain guide. He will be the local of the Everest region, so you will gain a lot of insight about the festival. Likewise, a local porter will also join you during the trek and make the journey hassle-free for you by carrying your heavy duffel bags. You will have a reliable and friendly crew during the trek.
You can extend the Mani Rimdu festival trek to Everest Base Camp or Gokyo Lakes. Likewise, if you have 2 to 3 days extra, you can further trek to Pangboche village and hike to Ama Dablam Base Camp.
What to expect during the Mani Rimdu festival trek?
The Everest Mani Rimdu festival trek route goes via rhododendron forests and Sherpa villages from Lukla. The trail crosses many suspension bridges and enters the Sagarmatha National Park from Monjo onwards. Following a bit of a steep trail, ascend to Namche Bazaar. Here, you will spend two nights before continuing to Tengboche village.
For an acclimatization hike in Namche Bazaar, walk to the Hotel Everest View. This is a luxury hotel known for the Mt. Everest view from all of its room windows. While in Namche Bazaar, visit the Sherpa Culture Museum and Everest Photo Gallery. Namche Bazaar is the largest Sherpa settlement in the Khumbu region and has a big market with many modern facilities.
The trail descends Phungi Thanga, and crossing a suspension bridge, follows a forested route to Tengboche village. As the trail unfolds from Lukla to Tengboche village, you will see breathtaking views of Mt. Thamserku (6,608 m/21,680 ft), Mt. Everest (8,849 m/29,032 ft), Mt. Lhotse (8,516 m/27,940 ft), Mt. Ama Dablam (6,812 m/22,349 ft), and Mt. Nuptse (7,861 m/25,791 ft).
What is the Mani Rimdu festival, and how is it celebrated?
The Mani Rimdu festival is a vibrant and important celebration in the Everest region. It is primarily celebrated by the Sherpa community. Mani Rimdu festival is an integral part of Tibetan Buddhism. The festival is celebrated in the Tengboche monastery, which is the biggest monastery in the Everest region.
Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated for three days and involves intricate rituals, ceremonies, masked dances, prayers, and blessings. This festival commemorates the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet, honors the triumph of good over evil, and summons blessings for the well-being of all sentient beings.
The preparation for the Mani Rimdu festival begins weeks in advance. The monks prepare all the details of the festival. They make intricate sand mandalas, craft colorful masks and costumes, and arrange all the offerings. All the corners of the Tengboche monastery are cleaned thoroughly and decorated to welcome both local and foreign visitors.
Below, we have mentioned how the Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated in the three days:
- First day of the festival: The first day of the Mani Rimdu festival empowerment ceremony is conducted by the head lama of the monastery. The ceremony bestows blessings and empowerment upon the devotees who are believed to grant spiritual merit and protection. Throughout these three days of the festival, offerings of butter lamps, fruits, grains, and other symbolic items are made to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other deities. Monks recite prayers and perform pujas.
- Second day of the festival: On the second of the festival, the masked dance takes place. This sacred dance is performed by the monks dressed in various forms of deities, demons, and mythical beings. Also known as Cham dance, it is a form of motion meditation that aims to purify the environment by dispelling negative energies and invoking blessings for the community.
- Third day of the festival: On the last day of the festival, the sand mandalas are dismantled. It symbolizes impermanence and the transient nature of existence. The parts of the mandalas are distributed to the attendees as blessings. The remains are dispersed into a nearby river or stream, symbolizing the spreading of blessings throughout the world.
Why do the Mani Rimdu festival trek with us?
We, Halesi Treks, will make the Mani Rimdu festival trek an unforgettable journey for you. Our knowledgeable guide will help you participate in the ceremonies and provide you with profound insights. Likewise, we have the best Mani Rimdu festival trek cost. You can do this trek without making a hole in your pocket.
Our Mani Rimdu festival trek itinerary is 12 days long, but you can customize the itinerary as per your requirements. Extend the trek or add a helicopter flight. Our Mani Rimdu festival trek 2024 bookings are open. Get your seat now and start preparing for this adventurous trip in the Himalayas.
