Tiji festival is a colourful and meaningful festival celebrated in Upper Mustang by the locals who follow the Tibetan Buddhist culture. Secluded from rest of the world, the region has successfully been able to preserve their culture and tradition intact. Tiji festival is actually celebrated from three days every year in the beginning of the harvest season. People celebrate this festival with a belief to chase away the demons. During this festival, people wear their traditional colourful dresses and chant their auspicious prayers. As per a mythology, a deity named Dorje Jono had to fight a battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from any kind of destruction. The word “Tiji” has been derived from “ten che” whose literal meaning is hope of dharma that is prevailing in the entire world. It is the message spread by Guru Rinpoche centuries ago.

During the festival, people gather together and people depict themselves in different characters. The demons and deity and created using the colourful dresses and hideous masks. The drama of deity winning over demon is shown and the demons are chased away from the place. People sing and perform their cultural dances. They chant prayers and remember their god. The myth of Dorje Jono and his demon father is also depicted through a drama. The festival is also remarkable as it is a symbol of togetherness. People come together to celebrate with joy and treasure their unique custom.

Mustang Tiji Festival trek is actually an Upper Mustang Trek but if you coincide your trekking dates with the festive season then the same journey becomes the Mustang Tiji festival Trek. Mustang Tiji Festival Trek is a super combo of mysterious landscape in the backdrop of beautiful Himalayas. Travelling along the high walled Mustang villages, living the centuries back lifestyle practiced by the people is an awesome experience. The wild and barren landscape is suffocating but the beauty of wilderness is unexplainable.

The dates for Tiji festival this year has already been announced. Tiji Festival, 2017 will be celebrated in Lo Manthang on 22nd, 23rd and 24th May in 2017. So, if you find this combination of Upper mustang trek and Tiji festival.