useful Information
Saga Dawa Festival - 04th June 2012
The Saga Dawa festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 4th Tibetan month and is one of the most important religious festivals celebrated in Tibet. This auspicious day coincides with three important events in Buddha's life namely his birth, nirvana and parinirvana (death). Since the Saga Dawa festival falls on the holiest month of the Tibetan calendar, it is believed that good deeds and prayers are multiplied thousand fold during this event. So we can see everyone immersed in prayers and trying to appease the gods.
During the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, many people refrain from killing animals and give out alms to everyone who comes asking for it. There may not be overt celebrations everywhere, but even then you can easily discern the festive spirit in the air during the Saga Dawa festival. If you are in Tibet around that time, don't forget to be a part of the huge crowd that visits the Dzongyab Lukhang Park at the foot of Potala for a late afternoon picnic. In fact, this has become some sort of a yearly ritual for the people in Tibet.
The Tarboche flagpole replacing exercise is also an interesting event that takes place during the Saga Dawa festival. As people from all parts of Tibet gather here for this annual event, they bring small prayer flags to attach to the big flag that comes up with the combined help of the onlookers that come to witness the event. It is really fascinating to watch this event that is presided over by a Lama from the nearby monastery.
The Saga Dawa festival is truly a celebration that encompasses everyone into its fold casting aside all barriers of nationality, religion or color. In fact, being a part of this holy event is such a moving experience that you come back with a deep sense of inner satisfaction that stays with you for a long time. To be a part of the Saga Dawa festival, you just need to contact us and enjoy a vacation that would be memorable in every sense.
KAILASH DETAILS PROFILE
LOCATION: WESTERN TIBET
ALTITUDE: KAILASH PEAK 22000 FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL
BASE CAMP: DARCHEN 14950 FT. ABOVE SEE LEVEL
CLIMATE: (MAX. 20 DEGREES CENTIGRADE TO MIN. -10 DEGREE CENTIGRADE)
UNPREDICTABLE BELIEFS: HINDU, BUDDHIST, JAINS, BANPO (ALL AMU FOLLOWERS)
VISITING TIME: BEGINNING OF MAY TO END OF SEPTEMBER
PARIKRAMA OF KAILASH: 52 KMS (THREE DAYS)
PARIKARMA OF MANSAROVAR: 102 KM (3 DAYS WALK AND ONE DAY BY LAND CRUISER JEEP IF NOT RESTRICTED BY GOVT. OF CHINA OR TIBETAN TOURISM BUREAU)
MANASAROVAR ALTITUDE: 14950 FT. FROM SEA LEVEL
DISTANCE FROM KATHMANDU 817 KMS (ONEWAY)
JOURNEY PERIOD: 14 DAYS FROM KATHMANDU TO KATHMANDU INCLUDING 3 DAYS PARIKRAMA OF KAILASH ON WALK
CLOTHING: HEAVY WOOLEN CLOTHING MEANT FOR MOUNTAINEERING
TIME: NEPAL IS 15 MINUTES AHEAD THE INDIAN STANDARD TIME AND TIBET IS 02.45 HOURS AHEAD THEN NEPALI STANDARD TIME.
CURRENCY: THE UNIT OF CURRENCY IS THE REMBI OR YUAN. US $ 1 IS EQUIVALENT ABOUT 7 YUAN APPROX.
Saga Dawa Festival Fixed Departure: 2012
27May 2012 Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu & Transfer hotel
28 May 2012 Day 02: Briefing and preparing visa and tours arrangements
29 May 2012 Day 03: Drive to Nyalam. Overnight at hotel / Guest house or Camp
30 May 2012 Day 04: Rest day at Nyalam for Acclimatization. Overnight hotel / GH / Camp
31 May 2012 Day 05 Drive from Nyalam to Saga overnight at Guest House / Camp
01 June 2012 Day 06: Drive from Saga to Paryang - Overnight Guest House / Camp
02 June 2012 Day 07: Drive from Paryang To Mansarovar Lake O/N Guest House or Camp
03 June 2012 Day 08: Drive to Tharboche O/N Camp
04 June 2012 Day 09: Attend to the Saga Dawa at Tarboche – Camp (Festival Day) Full moon.
05 June 2012 Day 10: Start to the Kora, night camp at Dira Puk - Camping
06 June 2012 Day 11: Continue Parikarma over Dolma La Pass & Zutul Puk - Camping
07 June 2012 Day 12: End Parikarma & Drive from Darchen to Hor Chu. Camp or Guest House
08 June 2012 Day 13: Drive from Hor Chu to Saga, night at guest house or Camp
09 June 2012 Day 14: Drive from Saga to Zhangmu, night at guest house or Camp
10 June 2012 Day 15: Drive from Zhangmu to Kathmandu. Night at guest house
11 June. 2012 Day 16.Departure. Program complete
Service included: - Airport pick up drop services, 3 nights hotel in Kathmandu, Tibet travel permit, all entry fees, All vegetarian breakfast , Lunch and dinner, Guide, Transport by Jeep and supporting truck, tent and equipments .
TRANSPORTATION:
From kathmandu to Zhangmu (Nepal Tibet border) by tourist coach. From Zhangmu by land cruiser 4WD jeep. Four people a land cruiser. Supporting truck to carry all necessary equipments
INSURANCE:
Full travels insurance coverage for medical evacuation, loss of belongs and pre-cancellation is strongly recommended.