Main Rites in Shoton Festival

Main Rites in Shoton Festival – From June 29th to July 1st

From June 29th to July 1st in Tibetan Calendar, Tibetans will hold "Xiepo" which is similar with present leader interview and opening ceremony. It is that every troupe worships Potala Palace, Norbu Lingka and Drepung Monastery and shows respect to Dalai Lama. In the morning of June 29th, the twelve troupes will perform "Xiepo" in front of gate of Potala Palace in turn. That is to perform the opening rite of each group. Then, twelve troupes will go together to perform on the Deyangsha Platform on roof of White Palace of Potala Palace. After register, the twelve troupes will go to the East Gate of Norbu Lingka to perform "Xiepo" in turn. In the night of this day, these troupes will go back to Drepung Monastery.

Main Rites in Shoton Festival – On June 30th

The traditional "Drepung Shoton Festival" will be held on June 30th in Tibetan Calendar. It is also the day to hold the ceremony of washing figures of Buddha in Drepung Monastery. At that time, a giant Thangka with the image of Buddha will be carried by hundreds young and strong lamas to the hill behind of Drepung Monastery. Then, the giant Thangka will gradually spread from up to down. Thousands lamas and believers will pay their respect to it and worship it. The twelve troupes will perform "Xiepo" in front of the giant Thangka and Tashi Kangsha in turn. Then, they will move to the courtyard of Gadan Pozhang to perform the formal play of Shoton Festival. In noon of this day, the monastery will serve actors with yoghurt, white sugar and rice. In the night, the troupes will stay in Kang Village of Drepung Monastery.

Main Rites in Shoton Festival – On July 1st

Same as June 29th, the troupes will go to perform "Xiepo" at fixed places in Potala Palace and Norbu Lingka. Later, this rite changed to that twelve troupes perform on the outdoor stage of Norbu Lingka. In fact, it is the formal opening ceremony of Shoton Festival.

Main Rites in Shoton Festival – On July 2nd

On July 2nd, officials, noblemen and Living Buddhas will sit around the outdoor stage or to put up tents in Norbu Lingka to enjoy the performances of Tibetan Opera and worship Dalai. Since from this day, the four troupes of Black Mask Sect will perform in turn.

Main Rites in Shoton Festival – From July 3rd to July 6th

From July 3rd to July 6th, the four troupes of Black Masks will perform plays which are fixed on outdoor stage in Norbu Lingka. In fact, these days are the center of whole Tibetan Opera performances in Shoton Festival. After performances, Dalai Lama and officials will grant rich reward to these troupes.

Main Rites in Shoton Festival – On July 7th

On July 7th, the largest troupe of White Mask Sect of Tibetan Opera will perform for one day in Norbu Lingka. This troupe will perform the opening ceremony and ending ceremony of White Mask Sect to express wishes to the end of main activities of Shoton Festival.

Main Rites in Shoton Festival - From July 8th to July 15th

From July 8th to July 15th, each troupe will go to perform in urban area of Lhasa. It is named "Lhasa Shoton". Based on rules, actress will not go on stage when perform in Norbu Lingka. But in this period, actress also can perform with actors. In these places, they not only can perform fixed plays, but also can perform some other plays.