Major Festivals, Events and Rituals Celebrated Around the Everest Region | Experience EBC Trek During Festivals

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29 May 2025

2025

The Everest region (Khumbu) is home to the Sherpas, whose culture and mountaineering expertise have shaped the area’s identity. Historically, Sherpas migrated from Tibet centuries ago, bringing with them Tibetan Buddhist traditions that remain central to daily life today.

Beyond being guides and climbers, Sherpas maintain their rich spiritual heritage, which is also tied to the Himalayas at large.

Tibetan Buddhism is the foundation of Khumbu’s cultural and social life. Monasteries such as Tengboche, Pangboche, and Thame are religious hubs, where rituals, prayers, and festivals preserve ancient customs. 

The high-altitude setting of the Everest region adds another dimension to its spirituality. Understanding these traditions adds depth to your Everest Base Camp trek and makes it a cultural and spiritual experience too.

Besides the festivals, the Everest region also has annual events celebrated to commemorate important dates like the first successful summit. Additionally, visitors should also be aware of rituals like ‘Ding’ that are followed in the region to better time/schedule their visit.

Key Information at a Glance

Festivals Around Everest Region

1) Mani Rimdu Festival

The Mani Rimdu Festival is one of the most significant Buddhist celebrations in the Everest region, held annually in late October or early November at the villages of Tengboche, Thame, and Chiwong, as well as at Thupten Choling in Junbesi, near the border to Tibet (Makley, 2003, 428-431).

Among these, the festival is celebrated mainly at Tengboche Monastery in particular. Originating from Tibetan Buddhism, the festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is deeply rooted in the teachings of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).

The festival spans 19 days, with the most visible public events occurring over the final three days. The ceremonies are divided into three key phases:

a) Preparation (Ngak): Monks engage in intricate sand mandala creation and sacred chants to invoke deities.

b) Empowerment (Wong): The public receives blessings through sacred pills (Rilbu) and holy water.

c) Dances (Cham): Monks perform masked dances depicting Buddhist deities and demons, symbolizing the destruction of negative forces.

During the festival, monks wear traditional attire, and the dances are accompanied by ritual music played on long horns, drums, and cymbals. The final day has a public blessing ceremony, where both locals and trekkers can receive protection and merit.

For trekkers, this is an ideal time to visit the Everest region, as the festival coincides with the best trekking weather, clear skies, and stable conditions. The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek route passes through Tengboche, allowing hikers to witness the festival while acclimatizing. Combining your trek with Mani Rimdu, you experience Sherpa culture at its most vibrant.

The Mani Rimdu festival is believed to have originated at Rongphu Monastery in Tibet around 1900 and was later adopted by Sherpa monasteries in Nepal decades later (Makley, 2003, 428-431).

2) Sherpa New Year (Gyalpo Losar)

Gyalpo Losar, the Sherpa New Year, is celebrated in February or March according to the Tibetan lunar calendar. This festival marks the most important cultural event in the Sherpa calendar and is deeply tied to their Buddhist traditions and ethnic identity.

The celebrations begin with spiritual cleansing rituals, including fire offerings and burning of juniper incense to purify homes and surroundings. Families gather to perform prayers and make offerings at household altars and local monasteries.

A key tradition is the hoisting of new prayer flags on rooftops and mountain passes, symbolizing the renewal of positive energy and the dispelling of negativity.

If you visit at this time, villages like Namche Bazaar and Khumjung come alive with community festivities. Locals dress in traditional attire, sharing chang (barley beer) and special foods like guthuk (dumpling soup).

The celebrations feature singing, dancing, and folk performances that often continue for several days. For trekkers visiting the Everest region during this period, Gyalpo Losar will be an authentic cultural immersion, and you can learn about Sherpa family traditions and community bonds.

Since it occurs during the pre-monsoon trekking season, you can combine the cultural experience with hiking and trekking in stable weather conditions.

3) Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti, observed during the full moon in April or May, commemorates three events in Buddhism: the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha. In the Everest region, this festival has special significance at key monasteries along trekking routes.

The biggest celebrations happen at Tengboche and Pangboche monasteries, where monks conduct elaborate rituals. Devotees and visitors participate in butter lamp offerings (symbolizing wisdom dispelling darkness), continuous chanting of Buddhist scriptures, circumambulation (clockwise walking around stupas), and meditation sessions, which are open to all attendees.

The monasteries become vibrant centers of activity, with altars adorned with flowers and ritual objects. Trekkers can join prayers or light candles as they observe, which is their chance for cultural participation.

The festival also coincides with the optimal spring trekking season, when weather conditions are stable, trails to Everest Base Camp are fully accessible, and rhododendron blooms enhance the landscape

The spiritual atmosphere during Buddha Jayanti is more enjoyable for visitors on the Everest Base Camp trek. It allows you to experience both the physical journey and the living Buddhist traditions of the Khumbu region.

4) Dumje Festival

The Dumje (also called Dumji) Festival is another vibrant cultural and religious event held in spring/early summer each year, just before the first planting, timed to request rain from the gods, in some of the major villages in Khumbu region, including Khumjung, Namche Bazaar and Pangboche (Paul, 1979, 274-304).

The festival typically falls in June, and the celebration in Namche is the most popular. This important Sherpa festival celebrates Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), the revered 8th-century Buddhist master who established Buddhism in the Himalayas.

The timing of the festival, which goes on for 4 days, follows the Tibetan lunar calendar, with dates varying slightly each year. The celebrations feature elaborate masked dances (Cham) performed by monks, representing various Buddhist deities and demons.

These symbolic performances are accompanied by traditional music played on Tibetan horns, drums and cymbals. A central element is the fire puja ceremony, where offerings are burned to purify the community and remove obstacles. The festival rotates annually among local families who take responsibility for organizing the events.

For trekkers visiting the Everest region in early summer, the Dumje Festival is another exceptional opportunity for cultural immersion. Unlike larger tourist-oriented events, this is an authentic local celebration where visitors can observe Sherpa traditions firsthand.

The festival coincides with the pre-monsoon trekking season, when trails are clear and temperatures are moderate.

Key aspects of the festival include the colorful traditional costumes, the rhythmic chanting of Buddhist scriptures, and the communal atmosphere as villagers gather to celebrate.

Visitors should note that while observation is welcome, some rituals may have photography restrictions, and respectful behavior is expected.

The festival’s timing often aligns with the agricultural calendar, serving as both a spiritual event and a blessing for the upcoming planting season.

Events Around Everest Region

1) Everest Marathon, One of The World's Highest Altitude Races

Held annually on May 29th to commemorate the first successful summit of Mount Everest in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the Everest Marathon is among the world's highest altitude marathons.

The race begins at Everest Base Camp (5,364m) and follows a challenging 42.2 km route descending to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), with a total elevation drop of nearly 2,000 meters.

Established in 1987 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the first Everest ascent, the event has grown into a premier adventure sports tourism attraction.

It showcases the Khumbu region's beauty, as runners pass through Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries.

Race Details

Categories: The race offers three race formats.

Full Marathon (42.2 km from EBC to Namche)

Half Marathon (21.1 km from Tengboche to Namche)

Ultra Marathon (60 km extended route with additional climbs)

- Route Characteristics: It combines rugged mountain trails, suspension bridges, and village paths through GorakShep, Lobuche, Dingboche, and Tengboche. Despite the net descent, runners face major technical terrain and altitude challenges.

- Participation is limited to about 200 international runners annually due to logistical constraints. Requires medical certification of high-altitude experience.

Practical Considerations for Participants

- Training Requirements: Prior high-altitude running experience is essential.

- Gear: Specialized trail shoes, cold-weather running layers, and hydration systems required.

- Cultural Aspect: Race coincides with Everest Summit Day celebrations in Namche, which offer cultural immersion.

2) Everest Summit Day Celebration

Held annually on May 29, Everest Summit Day commemorates the historic first ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953.

This event serves as both a historical remembrance and a celebration of Sherpa mountaineering culture, with official observances held at Everest Base Camp, Namche Bazaar, and Lukla.

The celebration was institutionalized in 2008 by the Nepal Mountaineering Association to formally recognize the Sherpa contribution to Himalayan climbing.

It coincides with the peak of spring climbing season, when the majority of annual Everest summits typically occur, Base Camp reaches maximum population and ideal trekking weather occurs.

Trekking groups can observe ceremonies by timing their Everest Base Camp trek for late May, attending the Namche events during standard acclimatization days and visiting the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee booth to learn about conservation efforts.

Key celebrations of the event include:

Official raising of the Nepali, British, and UN flags at Base Camp, symbolizing international cooperation in mountaineering.

Traditional Sherpa dances and Tibetan opera performances in Namche's central square.

Moment of silence and Buddhist prayers for deceased climbers at the Chukhung Lhara memorial site near Base Camp.

Speaker programs and addresses by veteran climbers, Sherpa leaders and government officials about Everest's evolving role in global mountaineering.

Event Locations and Activities

Rituals Around Everest Region

1) The Annual Ding Tradition of Dingboche

One of the most fascinating cultural practices in the Everest region is the Ding tradition observed by residents of Dingboche village. Every year during the Nepali month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August), many villagers temporarily relocate to neighboring settlements like Pheriche, Orsho, and Deboche. This seasonal migration has been practiced for generations.

According to local legends, the tradition originated from ancient beliefs that cooking food in Dingboche during this period would anger the mountain deities (yul-lha).

The practice is particularly focused on ensuring the well-being of livestock, especially yaks and dzos that are vital to high-altitude survival.

The month-long absence from the village is believed to maintain karmic balance and please the protective deities of the Khumbu Valley.

While strictly followed in the past, the locals have adapted it in interesting ways today. Traditional adherents (mostly older villagers) still completely vacate their homes for 25-30 days.

Younger generations and business owners often modify the practice, some remain in village but avoid cooking, visiting neighboring settlements during meal times. 

For visitors trekking during the summer monsoon season, you should know that several lodges and teahouses operate with reduced services or may close temporarily. The village takes on a noticeably quieter atmosphere, though the monastery remains open.

Our guides often incorporate explanations of this tradition into their cultural commentary, helping visitors understand this living example of Sherpa ecology.

Beyond its spiritual aspects, there are several practical benefits of the tradition. The temporary reduction in human activity allows alpine grasses to regenerate during peak growing season. It historically coincided with trading expeditions to lower valleys.

The practice also helps maintain kinship networks between villages through seasonal visits and shared resources. Some suggest it may have originally served as a form of altitude rotation for health benefits.

2) Morning Prayers at Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche Monastery, situated at 3,867 meters (12,687 feet) in the Khumbu region, conducts daily morning prayers, which is among the most authentic Buddhist practices accessible to trekkers on the Everest Base Camp route.

These ceremonies, known as pujas, begin precisely at 5:30 AM year-round and last approximately 90 minutes, following centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

The morning ritual follows a strict sequence established by the Rana Dynasty when the monastery was rebuilt after the 1934 earthquake. Monks begin by sounding the dungchen (three-meter-long ceremonial horns) from the monastery roof.

Inside the dukhang (main prayer hall), up to 30 monks during peak seasons gather to recite scriptures from the Kangyur (Buddha's direct teachings) and Tengyur (commentaries).

The chanting follows precise melodic patterns passed down through generations of Nyingma tradition practitioners.

Musical Instruments and Ritual Objects play a crucial role. Some major ones that are used are:

- Rolmo (large cymbals) to mark transitions between prayer sections

- Nga (double-sided drums) to maintain rhythmic foundation

- Drilbu (ritual bell) and dorje (thunderbolt scepter) symbolize wisdom and method

- Kangling (thighbone trumpet) is used during specific protector deity invocations

Monks periodically toss handfuls of tsampa (roasted barley flour) as offerings, creating temporary mandala patterns on the floor. The ceremony includes a tea service where attendants distribute butter tea in traditional wooden bowls.

The current prayer format was standardized in 1916 by Lama Gulu, the monastery's founder, blending elements from Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet and local Sherpa traditions.

The morning prayers specifically honor Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), believed to have meditated in the Khumbu valley during the 8th century.

3) Chorten and Prayer Flag Rituals

Chortens (stupas), prayer wheels, and prayer flags are an essential part of the spirituality in the Everest region. They represent core principles of Tibetan Buddhism and serve important religious functions for local Sherpa communities.

Chortens are Buddhist monuments constructed according to precise architectural principles. Along the trekking routes, these whitewashed structures typically contain religious relics, sacred texts, and ritual offerings.

The five distinct sections of a chorten symbolize fundamental Buddhist elements: the square base (earth), dome (water), spire (fire), crescent moon (air) and sun disc (space). Many chortens along the Everest Base Camp trail date back centuries.

Prayer wheels (mani wheels) come in various forms throughout the Khumbu valley. The most common are large fixed wheels found near monasteries and handheld versions carried by pilgrims. Each wheel contains thousands of copies of the ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ mantra inscribed on scrolls.

According to Buddhist tradition, spinning these wheels clockwise distributes spiritual blessings, with each rotation equivalent to reciting the mantra aloud. Along trekking routes, you'll also find water-powered prayer wheels in mountain streams, where flowing water turns the wheels continuously.

Prayer flags adorn nearly every high pass and village in the Everest region. These colorful rectangular cloths follow a strict five-color system representing natural elements, blue (sky), white (air), red (fire), green (water) and yellow (earth).

The flags are printed with sacred texts including the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra, images of the wind horse (lungta), and the four dignities (tiger, lion, garuda, dragon). When hung properly in high places, Buddhists believe the wind carries the prayers and mantras across the landscape.

The practice of circumambulation (walking clockwise around sacred objects) is present in Himalayan Buddhist culture. Pilgrims and locals follow specific protocols like always keeping chortens and mani walls to the right, completing a minimum of three circuits, and maintaining a respectful demeanor. Many Sherpas perform this ritual daily around their local village chorten, often while reciting mantras quietly.

For trekkers, understanding proper cultural etiquette is essential. Visitors should never touch or remove prayer flags, even those lying on the ground. When encountering prayer wheels, use only your right hand to spin them gently.

Photography should be conducted respectfully and never climb on chortens for photos or turn your back to sacred objects when taking pictures. These practices demonstrate respect for the living religious traditions of the Sherpa people.

Scientific documentation shows the remarkable prevalence of these sacred objects. Recent surveys counted over 8,000 prayer flags along the main Everest trail, with an average of three chortens per kilometer between Lukla and Base Camp.

This density reflects the deep spiritual significance of the landscape to local communities.

Why Participate in Festivals and Rituals Around Everest Region ?

Cultural Enrichment During the Everest Base Camp Trek

Participating in festivals and rituals along the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek transforms the mere physical journey into a multidimensional cultural experience.

These events provide trekkers with authentic insights into Sherpa Buddhist traditions while creating meaningful connections with local communities.

The region's high-altitude festivals, including Mani Rimdu, Dumje, and Buddha Jayanti, occur at monasteries along the trekking route. Attending these events allows visitors to:

- Observe ancient Buddhist rituals unchanged for centuries

- Witness masked dances (Cham) that convey moral teachings

- Receive blessings from lamas for safe passage

- Participate in butter lamp offerings and prayer ceremonies

This cultural layer adds spiritual context to the physical challenge of trekking. The moments of monastic life, morning prayers at Tengboche, circumambulation of chortens, and prayer flag rituals, create natural rest points that align with acclimatization needs:

Sustainable and Respectful Trekking in the Everest Region

Trek Me Nepal has established systems to ensure tourism directly benefits local Khumbu communities while protecting cultural heritage. Our operations follow three key priorities: local employment, cultural preservation and environmental responsibility.

The company’s ‘One Guest One Tree’ program has planted many trees in village areas. Their staffing policies prioritize Sherpa community members, with many of our guides and porters hired directly from the Everest region. Staff receive health insurance coverage for high-altitude work.

Best Trekking Seasons with Cultural Events in the Everest Region

Booking with Trek Me Nepal

Trek Me Nepal can cater to a festival-focused Everest treks that combine adventure with authentic cultural experiences if you want to experience that. Our local Sherpa guides can facilitate meaningful interactions at monasteries and villages along the route.

If you book with us, you get:

- Detailed explanation and entry to ceremonies like Mani Rimdu at Tengboche.

- Direct relationships with Tengboche, Pangboche and Thame monasteries.

- To contribute to sustainable tourism through our CSR initiatives, like the ‘One Guest One Tree’ program through which we have planted many trees.

Book with Trek Me Nepal today!

References

Makley, C. (2003, April-June). Lord of the dance: The mani rimdu festival in Tibet and Nepal [Review of the book Lord of the dance: The mani rimdu festival in Tibet and Nepal, by R. J. Kohn]. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 123(2), 428-431. https://doi.org/10.2307/3217709

Paul, R. A. (1979, May). Dumje: paradox and resolution in Sherpa ritual symbolism. American Ethnologist, 6(2), 274-304. https://doi.org/10.1525/ae.1979.6.2.02a00040