The allegiance of the Phurba (Sa Phur) tradition, i.e., involving the wrathful deity of Dorje Sonnu who is considered to banish all form of obstacles, has prevailed since the time of Lama Lowo Khenchen (1456 – 1532), the son of the Lo’s 2nd King Amgon Sangpo (1419 -82). This influence could be due to the visit of the great Shakyapa master Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo. Amedpal (1388 -14470), the first ruler of Lo, invited and honored him as a chief religious’ preceptor. Lowo Khenchen was one of the greatest Buddhist teachers of his time. He played a significant role in expanding Buddhism in the Mustang region. Tiji festival was supposed to begin around Lowo Khenchen and remained with great pomp and enthusiasm in a few centuries after that. The Tiji Festival & its history Tiji festival, therefore, converted to one of the main festivals of the Upper Mustang region. The country at the time was thriving and plenty of food. Also, the Buddhist religion observed and made large monasteries as well as born great teachers. Faith and prosperity can still be visible in most Upper Mustang villages in the form of dzongs, monasteries, big houses, and private chapels as evidence of this golden age. The 15th King of Mustang, Ahang Jampa Dadul, (enthronement approx. 1816, died 1837) the country of Lo witnessed unrest and economic downfall during his reign. The queen was also not capable of bearing a son, so to appease the gods and remove obstacles to the Buddhist religious traditions. Ngchen Ngawang Kunga Sonam, a great Shakyapa master from Tibet, was invited to visit Lo. At the Tiji festival, this master is to have to perform the masked dances as the principal dancer, or tsowo. Folklore describes a mound outside the walls city of Lo-manthang. The great master used
The allegiance of the Phurba (Sa Phur) tradition, i.e., involving the wrathful deity of Dorje Sonnu who is considered to banish all form of obstacles, has prevailed since the time of Lama Lowo Khenchen (1456 – 1532), the son of the Lo’s 2nd King Amgon Sangpo (1419 -82). This influence could be due to the