Sacred Naked Dance-HIMALAYAN FESTIVAL.

The November Naked Dance-Festival?of Jampa Temple is one of the most astonishing and unique in Bhutan. At midnight, 16 naked men perform the dance, which has its origin in the 7th century. Legend has it that a group of devils was disturbing the construction of a temple. As a trick to distract the devils, the dance was performed and the outrageous antics of the naked performers kept the devils spellbound.

It was all prevailed during the time of the Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo who is well known for establishing 108 monasteries in one day in different regions of Himalayan Countries like Tibet and Bhutan in the 7th Century. So this Jampa Temple is one of those 108 monasteries, located in the heart of Bumthang’s Chokhor Valley. It was in early times, when the world was in the hands of the barbarians fighting for power, that the Great Lord Jo-Jampa descended into this world from heaven and transformed the people into a religious and peace loving lot.?At that time the valley of Chokhor was infested with disease and misery under the domain of evil spirits.?The King of the valley, Sindhu Raja had no other choice for his people, but to invite Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche or The Great Buddhist patron) to the valley in the 8th century to subdue these evil spirits.?The Great Guru performing the very dances that are performed today in the Jampa Lhakhang Drup- Festival achieved this. Tantric Buddhism then flourished in the valley which later spread throughout the kingdom.??

In the 14th century Terton Dorji Lingpa (The treasure revealer) introduced the religious teachings of the Great Guru Rinpoche through this very festival.?Tulku Choeten Geompo, a descendent of Sindhu Raja, at that point ruled that the people of the valley must teach these dances and maintain this performance every year on the 15th day of the ninth month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar for the rest of time.

Another highlight of this festival is the Mewang - the “Fire Ceremony or Blessing”, held in the evening to bless infertile women so that they may bear children.?

In doing this tour,you will witness symbols and object of phallus.??Phallic objects – carved or painted – are found all over Bhutan. Beyond these facades, the phallus symbolism is at the root of Bhutanese culture. They are used as amulets of luck, antidote against curse, harbingers of prosperity and to bestow fertility to barren couples. This tour will take you to one a visit to the 16th century “Temple of Fertility” for phallic blessings, Bhutan. You will experience all its cultural richness, besides understanding the life of the happiest people on this earth.?

HIGHLIGHTS:

??Opportunity to see Bhutanese hand-woven costumes and jewelry as the people come to festivals dressed in their best.?

??Find out why family bond is the strongest social fabric in Bhutan, how they share joy and happiness together.??

??Sample Bhutanese food with each family bringing their best home-cooked meals to have as picnic lunch at festival venues.?

??Observe the masked dances, find out what role they play in the life of Bhutan as a Buddhist nation.??

??Observe the folk songs and dances, how they have evolved and their place today as vital aspects of Bhutanese culture.?

??Meet the Atsaras (Sanskrit: Acharya or learned men), the masked comic characters who enliven the religious festivals.

??On the sidelines, see Bhutan’s architecture, flora and fauna, amazingly beautiful landscapes, villages, etc.?????

Sacred Naked Dance- HIMALAYAN FESTIVAL Festival scheduled Trip: 28th-31st October 2023

?? Come and explore the best of a secret/hidden place in the Himalaya.

?? Feel the great difference!

???Jampa Temple, central Bhutan

?? First time travelers, for those to study society and culture

? You can choose from five to 10 days.??

?? Any time of the year coinciding with festival dates?