The Teechi (often pronounced "Teeji")
festival is an annual event indigenous
to Lo-Manthang (Upper Mustang). The
name is an abbreviation of the word
"Tempa Chirim" which translates
as "Prayer for World Peace".
This festival commemorates the victory
of Lord Buddha's incarnation "Dorjee
Sonnu" over a demon called Man
Tam Ru a vicious creature feeding on
human beings and causing storms and
droughts. The Teeji festival usually
takes place during the last week of
May and lasts fro 3 days. Dances performed
by the monks of Lo Manthang's "choedhe"
monastery during the celebration display.
The harassment of Ma Tam Ru Ta (in a
dance called "Tsa Chham" on
the first day), the birth of Dorjee
Sonnu as the demon's son (on the second
day called "Nga Chham"), the
attempt to return the demon tolord Buddha's
realm (on the third and final day).
The Teeji festival dances are all organized
by the Choedhe Monastery, which is that
of the Sakya sect of Lo Manthang. The
monastery abbot is Khempo Tasi Tenzing
Rimpoche. Altogether about 65 monks
from Lo Manthang, Nhenyul and Chhosyer
live in the monastery.
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