The Thrilling Experience of Jeep Tour in Upper Mustang
Mustang jeep tour can get an awe-inspiring of viewing mountains towards the South and the incredible new universe to the north; as far as we could see great, undulating waves of rounded peaks wearing caps of snow which looked like form on a sea after a storm. A visit to this area takes the trekkers to an old and completely different era of this ethnic group who follow a unique culture close to the Tibetans. Along the way to Lo-Manthang, you can observe numerous chörtens (reliquary shrines), caves found throughout Mustang that have lured visitors, Dzong (fortress), and gompas (monasteries); some of them date back to the 11thcentury. As you visit this fortified village and the king's palace with unique archaeologists and historians from around the world, you will glimpse a kingdom even in a geographically remote area.
Lo Manthang, the walled city was only accessible by foot or mules but now, it is connected by road. We drive from one place to another consecutively allowing us enough time to explore all the sights and sounds of the upper Mustang. So, the upper Mustang trekking is not only for the traveler who has long holidays and physically fit person. We have designed “UPPER MUSTANG JEEP TRIP”. For the travelers who do not have enough time and are physically incapable but with strong desire to witness the high Himalayas, and desert plateau of the highlands and explore the Buddhist culture and historical sites: Gompas(monasteries), Dzong (fortress), Chortein (reliquary shrines), peoples (Monasteries, prayer walls) and the diverse culture and topography in short time by jeep as the road access is feasible now at one of the restricted region of Nepal most convenient by the jeeps. A visit to this area takes the trekkers to an old and completely different era of this ethnic group who follow a unique culture close to the Tibetans.
The ancient caves, historic monasteries, and archaeological sites, the unrolling of Thangka, and the mask dances in Upper Mustang are the general places to be traveled by jeep. Furthermore, the culture, tradition, and inhabitants of Nepalese in the high Himalayas are quite similar to that of Tibet.
Traveling is not only about how far you go; it’s also about how much you know. While in Nepal, go to the Himalayas; and learn about the Himalayan people, their culture, food, attire, and festivals. The culture and tradition of Nepalese in the high Himalayas is quite similar to that of Tibet. The unrolling of Thangka and the mask dances are common cultural practices in Nepal Himalayas as well as Tibet.
Once known as the "forbidden kingdom" Lo-Mantang is now a Rural Municipality of Lo Manthang. The festival is celebrated in May or June as per The Lunar (Tibetan) calendar. The festival was started by King SamdukRabten in the 17th Century to celebrate the victory of Lord Buddha’s Incarnation, DorjeSonam, over a demon called "MAN TAM RU'' a vicious dangerous Creature that consumed human flesh and brought drought and storms. This festival is celebrated for three days where Lamas draped in their traditional attire from the “Choedhe Monastery” offer Prayers for World Peace and also for overcoming any obstacles in the future.
The first day of the festival is marked to represent the harassment done by the MAN TAM RU through a dance called "TsaChham" followed by the masked demons swinging, wooden swords wildly toward the terrified spectators. Mustang Royal family and all the villagers of the seven provinces of Upper Mustang (Lo Chhodun) participate in this sacred dance with ritual.
Similarly, on the second day of the festival, Lamas perform a dance called NgaChham, portraying the birth of DorjeSonam, an incarnation of Lord Buddha, as a son of the Demon, There are peaceful steps of dance in the first activity (Toele).
As well as on the third day of the festival represents an attempt to return the Kingdom to Lord Buddha from the demon's hand. The Lamas chant prayers and perform almost 52 separate religious dances to chase demons from Lo Manthang, Lamas use ancient muskets to fire an arrow at the demon. Five more demons are thrown into the sand to signify that the city has got rid of the demons.
At the end of the festival, there is an exchange of greetings between the King and Khempo and other monks. The people of Mustang express their great luck and fortune at being able to witness yet another Tiji Festival and they pray that many more good years follow.
