Activities in Shoton Festival

Shoton Festival is the grandest festival in Tibet. Thousands pilgrims will gather in Lhasa from everywhere of the world. During the Shoton Festival, the main troupes of Tibetan Opera in different districts will come to perform for several days in Norbu Lingka. The scene of Tibetan Opera performances is extraordinarily bustling. If you have Tibet tour during Shoton Festival, you not only can enjoy the grandest Buddha Exhibition, the most exultant performances of Tibetan Opera, but also can enjoy yak competition, performances of song and dance, etc.

Activities in Shoton Festival – Buddha Exhibition

As the prologue of Shoton Festival, the Buddha Exhibition in Drepung Monastery is the most remarkable rite. At 8 o'clock in the morning, with the shine of first ray of dawn and the solemn sound of religious horn, a giant Thangka of Sakyamuni which was made up of colorful silk gradually spread on the hill behind of Drepung Monastery. Over ten thousands believers and travelers who are moved by the atmosphere will put their palms together devoutly to worship.

Activities in Shoton Festival – Tibetan Opera

Tibetan Opera is an important part of Shoton Festival. From the second day of Shoton Festival, there are performances of Tibetan Opera from 11 o'clock to evening in Norbu Lingka and the Dragon King Pool Park opposite to Potala Palace. It is said that the actors only performed the highlight of Tibetan Opera due to the limitation of time. Or the performance of a play will last for several days. Both actors and viewers are enjoying performances.

When enjoy the performances of Tibetan Opera, Tibetans will sit on cushion on grassland and place the barley wine, butter tea and various Tibetan desserts on the grassland. Then, they will rotate the prayer wheels or twiddle rosary while enjoying the performance.

The stories of Tibetan Opera include Devis Nossa, Princess Wencehng, etc. The resounding and moving music, cadenced dialogue, magical and beautiful masks, simple and unsophisticated clothes and beautiful dances of Tibetan Opera, after 600 years, are showing a kind of natural and special charm.

Activities in Shoton Festival – Spending Time in Lingka

Tibetans like spending time in Lingka very much. Seven days before Shoton Festival, members in the family will make a circle on the grassland in Lingka with strings or lime which means this place has been occupied. On the day of Shoton Festival, Tibetans will come to Lingka very early to put up colorful tents, spread cushion and carpet on the grassland land and place wine, drinks and food on land. Then, Tibetans will sing songs or play games in their tents. In the afternoon, each family will go out to visit other families. The atmosphere of Shoton Festival is very hilarious.

In Shoton Festival, all noblemen, Living Buddha and local officials will come to Norbu Lingka to enjoy Tibetan Opera with Dalai Lama and attend the yoghurt banquet held by local government. During the Shoton Festival, the Summer Palace of Dalai Lama will open to pubic for five days. Hence, Tibetans will dress their festival clothes, wear all ornaments and take yoghurt and various foods to visit Norbu Lingka.