[ Prem Chetry ]
BOMDILA, 15 Dec: The first-ever three-day Monyul Palden Lhamo festival, which concluded at the Thubchog Gatsel Ling monastery here in West Kameng district on Sunday, witnessed huge participation of people from different places in West Kameng, Tawang and Bichom districts.
The 12th Guru Tulku Rinpoche, shedding light on the
background and objectives of the celebration, said, “Palden Lhamo is the dharma protector, and on the 15th day of the 10th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, Palden Lhamo festival, which traces its origin to Lhasa (Tibet), is celebrated.”
“Every year the celebration was organised at the monastery. Now, the addition of a new prayer hall has facilitated the celebration of this pious event on a larger scale,” he said, adding that it will now be a calendar event.
The celebration featured rituals and prayers, and offering of thousands of holy water bowls, butter lamps and tsok (sacred eatables). Jhinsey, the fire ritual, was also performed for the wellbeing and overall prosperity of all sentient beings.
Earlier on Sunday morning, a procession of Palden Lhamo in a palanquin, led by the rinpoche, monks and hundreds of devotees, was taken out in the town.
Various cultural performances were also presented by dozens of groups and individuals during the festival.
