Gyantse Tour – Gyantse Darma Festival

Gyantse Tour – Introduction of Gyantse Darma Festival

The Gyantse Darma Festival is a well-know festival of Gyantse, It is held in the period of April 10th to April 28th in Gyantse. If you want to enjoy the hilarious atmosphere of Darma Festival, you can have the Gyantse tour in this period.

Gyantse Tour – Origin of Gyantse Darma Festival

Gyantse Darma Festival means horse racing and shooting in Tibetan language. According to legends, the Darma Festival started from Gyantse, It is said that the Paba Baisangbu, the grandfather of Gyantse Dharmaraja Raodan Gongsangpa, was the interior minister of Sakya Kingdom and had high prestige. After Paba Baisangbu died, his followers will offer sacrifice to commemorate him. Later, the sacrifice was suspended for battles. Until the Fire Mouse Year in Tibetan Calendar, the Raodan Gongsangpa recovered the sacrifice after he took the responsible of Dharmaraja. From April 10th to April 27th in Tibetan Calendar in this year, the Raodan Gongsangpa chanted scriptures for his grandfather. Until April 28th, the entertainment activities started. All of these activities were organized by the followers, soldiers and servants of the Dharmaraja. Since from this year, the period was fixed as the sacrifice ceremony festival. When Tashi Raodanpa ruled Gyantse (in 1447), the entertainment activities became more rich. Except for above content, there were horse racing competition and shooting competition. The Gyantse Darma Festival also formed.

In middle of 17th century, the local government appointed monks and laity to manage religious activities. The Gyantse Darma Festival was also hosted by the director of Gyantse and director of Palkhor Monastery.

Gyantse Tour – Celebration of Gyantse Darma Festival

The main content of celebration of Gyantse Darma Festival includes Buddha Exhibition, religious dance and so on. Besides, there are wrestle, horse racing, stone lifting and some other entertainment activities. During this period, people and horse taking part in the horse racing and shooting activities will be apportion by the three large families in Gyantse. The religious activity will be done symbolic. Then, the large scale horse racing and shooting competition will start. The whole activity time changed to three days from one day. The first day will hold simple religious ceremony and check the horse and mark them. The second day is horse racing competition. The third day is shooting competition. After the three days competition, the three to four days' outdoor picnic will start.