Grant_5

shn dao festival

Today i was lucky enough to visit the shun dao festival. This is a rare sighting to see for any tourist. It is also known as the yougourt festival. The festival is held usually about the middle of August, this is when the monks exit their moistaries to aviod stepping on insects, mainly due to the fact that in a previous life, the insect could haave been the monks mother or father. The festival itself is one large banquest, with danceing. I was absolutley starved on the day, hoping for a massive meal, i arrived only to find that they eat yougort, with "yak butter". I went hungry for that day, again. The festival lasted all day with clashing cymbals, bells and drums; piercing recitatives punctuating more melodious choruses; hooded villains, leaping devils, swirling girls with long silk sleeves. In the past dancers came from all over Tibet, but today there is only the state-run Lhasa Singing and Dancing Troupe." The festival is held on the beautiful grounds of the Norbulingka, and are filled with partying groups shielded from the wind by gaily coloured hanging walls of rugs and and printed canvas. There is much feasting and visiting between family groups and bonfires are common at night.

As much as i couldnt stand the food that was being served, i really enjoyed myself on the day, but soon had to retire to my hotel, because i was so exhausted.