On April 15 of the Tibetan calendar, the Saga Dawa Festival, the most sacred festival of the year in Tibetan Buddhism, is often regarded as the Tibetan counterpart of the Buddha's Holy Month. It is conceptually close to the Vesak Festival of Southern Buddhism, but with a longer period of time and more complete rituals, and is the most important festival of the entire Tibetan calendar. It is the month of merit for the entire month of April in the Tibetan calendar.
Therefore, Saga Dawa is not just one day, but the whole month of merit in the Tibetan calendar, from the first to the fifteenth day of the month, all kinds of practices will be held.This day is not only the birthday of Sakyamuni Buddha, but also the day of his enlightenment and nirvana. This day is not only the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha, but also the day of his attainment of enlightenment and nirvana. The whole of Tibet is immersed in an atmosphere of piety, with scripture recitations echoing through the streets and lanes, and believers, holding transepts and draped in khaddar, praying for peace and compassion under the blue sky, where wind-horse flags are flying.
Saga Dawa is regarded by Tibetans as the "Month of Merit," a month when the merits of good deeds are magnified a hundredfold. For those who believe in Tibetan Buddhism, this is not just a festival, but a profound spiritual practice - from "turning to the monastery" to "turning to the mountain", every step and every bow is a path to spiritual purification.
I. Origin of Sakyadhwa: The Three Great Sacred Events of the Buddha
Saga Dawa, also known as Wesak Day.(Vesak Festival)In Tibetan, it means "month of the Saga Star" and is the name of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar. According to Buddhist texts, Shakyamuni Buddha was born in this month, attained enlightenment in the same month, and passed into nirvana in the same month. Therefore, Tibetans believe that this is the most virtuous time of the year.
From the first to the fifteenth day of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, various blessing activities take place throughout the Tibetan region. Monasteries recite Buddhist scriptures and devotees are found in the streets.People stop killing, go vegetarian, release animals, offer lamps, give to charity, and engage in the most iconic practice of all - thechange temples.
📅 The Sagadawar festival of 2027 was June 18(corresponding to the 15th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar).
II. What is "Turning to the Temple"? Steps of Faith
In Tibetan Buddhism, "transmigration" is a practice and an expression of prayer. Believers make a clockwise circuit of a temple, stupa, or sacred mountain, which is known as "turning the sutra" or "turning the temple". This is a symbol of surrounding the Dharma and keeping the Buddha in one's mind. It is believed that each revolution will purify sins and accumulate merits.
During Sagadhava, the entire Lhasa is surrounded by the feet of devotees:
- The most famous route is the Barkhor Street outside the Da Zhao Temple. It is highly recommended to do it on the day of Saga Dawa Festival.
- You will see the devotees holding the brane in their hands, chanting "Hum Mamma Abhimanyu" on their lips, and walking around the street in a clockwise direction with their feet firmly planted on the ground. Some devotees even choose to "throw themselves on the ground", bowing step by step, and the whole street is covered with their faith and sweat.
Turning to the temple is not only a religious ceremony, but also a practice of dialoguing with oneself. Such images can be seen everywhere during the Saga Dawa Festival, and have become one of the most touching scenes in the eyes of travelers.
Simply put:
"The practice of walking around a temple in a clockwise direction and reciting prayers.
It symbolizes respect for the Buddha and the purification of the mind, and is also considered an important means of accumulating virtues and performing good deeds.
The different faces of Saga Dawa in three regions
Lhasa: The centerpiece of the Saga Dawa Festival, the "center of transmigration".
During Saga Dawa, the whole of Lhasa is transformed into a huge pilgrimage city.
From early in the morning, thousands of worshippers follow the route around the main temple. Inward, intermediate and outward transfers The most important part of the practice of "turning to the temple" is carried out:
- Inner Turning Line (inside the compound of the Da Zhao Monastery)
The area around the 12-year-old statue of Siddhartha Gautama is the most energized sacred area, and many senior devotees spend their years here. - Transit Line (Barkhor Street)
The center of the most spectacular crowds on the day of Saga Dawa, with the sound of five bodies throwing themselves on the ground, chanting, and the sound of the merry-go-round, is one of the easiest routes for travelers to experience their faith firsthand. - Outer Turning Line (outer ring of Lhasa Old Town, about 20 kilometers)
The route passes through Potala Palace, Medicine Mountain and Xiaozhao Temple, which is the most complete and deepest pilgrimage route.
Lhasa's Saga Dawa Festival is featured:
Everyone is on the road, the street is the dojo, and faith appears before your eyes in the most lived-in way possible.
For travelers, Lhasa is the easiest city to participate in the festival and feel the power of faith.
Rikaze: A Majestic Town of Large Monastery Pujas and Thangka Exhibitions
If it is said that Lhasa exhibits a "flood of devotees,"
So what Rikaze presents is the "dignity of the monastery".
During the Saga Dawa Festival, large-scale religious ceremonies are often held in the major monasteries in Shigatse:
- Sutra recitation (Drepung Monastery, Zashilunpo Monastery, etc.)
There were thousands of monks, and the sound of chanting echoed through the valley like waves of the sea, making it far more powerful than ordinary ceremonies. - Large-scale Thangka Exhibition Buddha (Upholstered Buddha)
The ten-meter-high Shakyamuni Buddha thangka unfolded on the hillside, and the whole place was so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard, making this moment an unforgettable moment in many pilgrims' lives.
Saga Dawa Festival in Rikaze is featured:
The ceremonies are grand and the energy of the temple is strong.
It is suitable for travelers who want to know more about the rituals of Tibetan Buddhism and want to see the most formal monastic ceremonies.
Ali: Gang Rinpoche Turning, the Peak of Faith on Sagadawat Festival
Ali's Saga Dawa Festival is not so much a frenzy as it is a shock.
Located in Tachin, Plain County Gang Rinpoche (Gang Rinpoche Mountain) It is the center of the universe common to Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Benjaminism.
During the Saga Dawa Festival, this is one of the most spectacular sights in all of Tibet:
- Devotees who have traveled from all over Tibet, Nepal, India, and Bhutan.
- The road is paved with pilgrims who throw themselves on the ground.
- Barefoot, carrying incense burners and holding sutra torches, there are many practitioners in the area.
- exist Drolma La Pass (5630 m) Long lines of pilgrims
There's no parade, no stage, no host.
But you will see faith in its purest and deepest form:
- Some people walk around in three days.
- Some people have been bowing for more than ten days
- Some people wait their whole lives to make a turn in the year of the horse.
Ali's Saga Dawa Festival featured:
Not a festival, but a soul-stirring event.
Not a fervor, but the highest practice of faith.
From Monastery to Mountain: The Sublimation of Faith in Tibet
For Tibetans, "turning a monastery" is a daily practice, while "turning a mountain" is the most solemn pilgrimage in their lives.
Every year during the Saga Dawa Festival, thousands of devotees not only circumambulate the temples, but also embark on an even more distant journey - to the sacred mountain of Gang Rinpoche in the Ali region of Tibet.
Considered the center of the world, this sacred mountain enjoys a high status in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Benjaminism.
Buddhists believe that the holy land of Kalimpoche is the place of the "Vajra of Triumph", and that a single turn around the mountain can purify the karmic obstacles of past lives, which is of immense merit.
- The entire route is about 52 kilometers, with the highest elevation being the Drolma La Pass (5,630 meters).
- Pilgrims walk or bow down to complete a circle in three days; some devotees even make 13 consecutive turns to turn their faith into action.
It is recommended to "stay in Lhasa on the day of Saga Dawa" and then go to Ali for mountaineering.
Although the transmigration of Gonzaga is the pinnacle of faith in the Sagadawat Festival, the The most recommended city to stay on the day of the festival is actually Lhasa..
The reason is simple:
① The real heart of the Saga Dawa Festival is in Lhasa.
The Barkhor Street of the Da Zhao Temple is flooded with the densest crowds of worshippers, making it the most spectacular sight of the year.
From early in the morning until late at night, the entire city is transformed into a transcendental dojo, an atmosphere that cannot be replaced in any other region.
② Lhasa is at a lower altitude, more suitable for travelers to adapt first.
Lhasa 3650 meters → Tachin 4700 meters.
If travelers go directly to Ali once they arrive in Tibet, they are prone to high altitude sickness, which will affect the success rate of mountain climbing.
③ The peaks of the Gang Rinpoche transitions do not necessarily fall on the same day.
The crowds usually arrive around the festival day, not on the 15th day.
Therefore, there is no need to press the "day" on Ali.
④ The traditional pilgrimage logic is to turn to the temple first and then to the mountain.
Most devotees spend a few days in Lhasa purifying their minds before traveling to Ali for a higher level of practice.
This is not only more ceremonial, but also better for travelers to experience the full meaning of the festival.
On the day of Saga Dawa, it is worthwhile to stay in Lhasa to participate in the temple-turning ceremony; after you have become physically fit, you can then go to Ali for the Gon Rinpoche mountain-turning, which is a much smoother and safer journey, and also closer to the real pilgrimage route.
IV. The Feast of Sakyadhwa: A Deluge of Faith
On the day of Saga Dawa, grand celebrations and prayers are held in Lhasa, Rikaze and Ali.
One of the most representative ceremonies is the "Raising of the Great Sutra Streamer" held at Drepung Monastery in the suburbs of Lhasa.--
When tens of thousands of people gathered, monks reciting sutras resounded through the valley, a huge Shakyamuni thangka unfolded in the sunlight, at that moment, even the wind carried the breath of piety.
In the vicinity of Tachin Village in the Ali region, thousands of pilgrims gather to prepare for the mountain pass. Among them are ascetics from India, believers who have traveled on foot from Nepal, Tibetan farmers, monks and tourists. The entire area at the foot of the sacred mountain is lined with tents and smoke, a solemn and magnificent scene.
V. Main Events of Saga Dawa Festival: Faith in Action
Saga Dawa is not only a festival, but also a month-long practice period. During this period, devotees express their devotion to the Dharma through various forms of action, including [sutra transmigration], [simmering], [alms giving], [mountain transmigration], [fasting], and [releasing], etc., each of which carries a deep religious significance.
1. Transmigration
Sutra transmigration is one of the most common practices during Sakyamuni.
Devotees will walk and pray along fixed routes, and there are three famous routes in Lhasa:
- Inner Turning Line: Walk around the main temple along the center of the Da Zhao Monastery;
- Transit Line: Walk along the Barkhor Street for a week around the Da Zhao Monastery;
- External Turning LinesIt is about 20 kilometers long and takes a whole day to complete, passing by the Potala Palace, the Medicine King Mountain, the Gongdelin Temple, the Dragon King Pool and the Xiaozhao Temple, and other holy places.
Simply put:
Sutra-turning is a clockwise procession around a temple or a holy place to pray, symbolizing that one's heart follows the Buddha's direction, and that one is accumulating virtues and cultivating blessings.
And during Sagadawar, the merits of transmigration are believed to multiply.
2. Simmering Mulberry
The "simmering" ceremony is another important activity during the Sagadawat Festival.
Devotees will burn cypress sticks and spread tsampa at temples and mountain passes to let the smoke rise as a sign of prayer.
This is a traditional way for Tibetans to pray to the spirits for peace and blessings.
3. Giving
This passage describes the Poor Man's Day (སྤྲོས་བཅད་དུས་, meaning "Festival of Giving" in Tibetan), a very distinctive folk festival in Tibet.
It is traditional for the rich to give to the poor, and the 15th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar is the culmination of good deeds, on which Tibetans are kind and charitable, and which is why the festival is also known as the "Day of the Poor". This day falls on the 15th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar, which in Tibetan Buddhism is considered to be the day of Buddha Shakyamuni's birth, attainment of enlightenment, and nirvana all on the same day, and is also known as the "Saga Dawa" festival.
The whole month of April is regarded as the "Month of Merit" and April 15 is the peak of good deeds and virtues.
Since this day emphasizes giving and compassion, it is popular for the rich to give to the poor, so it is commonly known as the "Poor Man's Day".
Therefore, many Tibetans will be on this day:
- To give food or money to monks, beggars, and the poor;
- Life Release, Light Offering, Chanting and Praying;
- Some families even prepare tsampa, milk tea, ghee and other food to distribute to passers-by.
4. Transmigration in Gang Rinpoche
One of the highlights of the Saga Dawa Festival is the "mountain trekking" activities, especially the pilgrimage to Feng Rinpoche (Gang Rinpoche).
Since the beginning of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, devotees arrive in the region of Ali and reach the climax on April 15th.
This event is not only the pinnacle of Tibetan faith, but also attracts Buddhists and travelers from all over the world.
5. Vegetarianism
During Saga Dawa, many devotees choose different lengths of fasting practices: three days, seven days or even a whole month.
During this period, I ate vegetarian food, abstained from killing, and recited sutras to purify my body and mind and cultivate compassion.
It is also an important way for Buddhists to show their respect for the Buddha and their faith.
6. Release of life
Life release is a very symbolic act of Sakyadharma.
Devotees will buy fish, birds and other animals from the market and release them into nature to show compassion and respect for life.
On the banks of the Lhasa River, it is common to see groups of believers putting fish into the river, and Tibetans buying poultry and releasing them into the forest.
Tibetan Faith Reminder:
Life release is not a formality, but a practice of compassion.
Saga Dawa emphasizes "respect for life," and because of this, Tibetans do not eat fish or meat on weekdays.
Transmigration in the Year of the Horse: Two Suggestions for Doubling the Merits
In the belief system of Gang Rinpoche, the "Year of the Horse" has always been regarded as the natal year of the sacred mountain.
But regarding "how many times the merit will be increased," there are actually in Tibet Two different levels of argumentThe story has been widely circulated.
(1) A popular saying: "100,000 times the merit (symbolizing the Year of the Horse)".
In many travelers', early books and word-of-mouth versions.
I have often heard the saying:
👉 "Turning to the mountain in the Year of the Horse is 100,000 times more meritorious."
This statement has a "symbolic" meaning:
- Expressing the greatness of the Year of the Horse.
- A lot of people will be moving months ahead of schedule.
- It also makes the Year of the Horse the most crowded year for pilgrimages.
But it's less like a precise multiplier calculation, the
Rather, it is a cultural expression that describes the particularly great merit of the Year of the Horse.
② Dharma talk with an old practitioner at a local monastery in Tibet: 13 times the merit (traditional talk)
If you are interacting with a Tibetan Buddhist monk, an old believer, an on-the-ground guide or a lama.
will find it more often heard:
👉 "To turn the mountain in the Year of the Horse is 13 times more meritorious."
The reason comes from tradition:
- Horse is the guardian sign of Gunjampo Qi.
- Completion of the mountain switching in the year of Shinzan's natal year = increase in merit and virtue
- Thirteen times is the classical multiplication of the oral tradition of the monastery.
- It is also the most locally recognized and doctrinally stable version.
More people are confirming this claim.
🟠 It is a common saying among the people:"Turning the mountain in the Year of the Horse = 100,000 times the merit" is a cultural expression that symbolizes the extreme merits of the Year of the Horse.
🔵 Tibetan monastic tradition says:"The most recognized version of the story is the one that has been passed down orally by old believers and lamas, which says, "Turning the mountain in the Year of the Horse = 13 times the merit.
There is no contradiction between the two: one emphasizes the symbolic and the other the traditional. For this reason, the Year of the Horse has always been regarded as the most rewarding year of one's life to accomplish the transmigration of Mount Kailash.
As long as our tours are located in high altitude areas and conditions permit, we will arrange for you to stay in oxygen-supplied rooms or provide centralized oxygen-supplied facilities, so that you can sleep peacefully at night in the plateau.
VII. Challenges during Saga Dawa: The Reality of Pilgrimage Fervor
The Saga Dawa Festival and the Year of the Horse are so special that the area around the Saga Monastery and the region of Ali is overflowing with people during this period. Due to the remoteness of the area, limited accommodation resources, and the government's approval process for foreign vehicles and people entering the area, the actual arrangements are extremely challenging.
Common scenarios include:
- Hotels and inns were full months ago.
- Early application for government approvals and green taxes is required.
- Tight supply of vehicles and drivers
- Mountain road closures or sudden weather changes
Many pilgrims, even if they plan ahead, are often unable to travel due to lack of accommodations or limited routes.
Therefore, if you want to complete the Gang Rinpoche Transit on Saga Dawa, it is important to book your trip at least six months in advance and ensure that you have an experienced team of Tibetan operators to assist you.
Special reminder:
Sakya Monastery is one of the key pilgrimage sites during the Sagadawar festival.
There are very few hotels in the area and most of them do not accommodate foreign guests.
If the itinerary includes a visit to the Sakya Monastery, please be sure to confirm your accommodation in advance!!!! Please make sure to confirm your accommodation in advance!
This is to avoid being unable to move in due to control or full capacity at that time.
The Meeting of Faith and Travel: A Baptism of the Soul
At the foot of Gang Rinpoche, you will see a touching scene: an old man holding a Bible roller, a young man carrying an incense burner, a mother leading her child to kowtow step by step; some people chanting sutras silently, some people releasing a wind-horse flag, and some people smiling and tearing up in the snow.
At that moment, you will realize that "turning the mountain" is not just circling the mountain, but an inner purification.
Every breath and every footstep is a process of dialoguing with heaven and earth, faith and self.
This journey begins with faith and ends with action.
The Horse Saga Dawa Festival is one of the most extraordinary spiritual events in more than a decade.
If you miss this year, you will have to wait another 12 years for the next one.
This is not only a trip, but also a practice; not only the shock of the scenery, but also the echo of the soul.
Let's turn the prayer wheel of faith together on the plateau where the wind horse flag is flying.
Make your most sincere wish at the center of the world, the Gang Rinpoche.
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