18/01/2026
The annual Torgya Festival, one of the most significant religious observances of the Mon region, commenced today at the historic Tawang Monastery, marking the beginning of three days of prayer, ritual performances, and spiritual reflection. The festival will continue until January 18, bringing together monks, devotees, and visitors from across the region.
Organised under the guidance of the Abbot of Tawang Monastery and the Tawang Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Welfare and Charitable Society, the festival holds deep spiritual importance in Vajrayana Buddhism. Rooted in centuries-old monastic tradition, Torgya is observed to dispel negative forces and invoke peace, harmony, and well-being for the people of the Mon region and beyond.
The festival is characterised by elaborate rituals and sacred monastic mask dances, known as Chams, performed by monks in the monastery courtyard from the early hours of the morning. These ritual dances symbolise the victory of wisdom and compassion over ignorance and evil, while also conveying profound Buddhist philosophical teachings.
Over the course of the festival, monks will perform major Chams such as Phag-Cham, Zam-Cham, Gra-Cham, Lok-Cham, Ja-Cham, Zhanak-Cham, and Arpo-Gutor, along with other important ritual performances including Gon-Gyen-Cham, Tsog-Gyan, Dur-Dag, Shan-Cham, Lye-Ngan, Dik-Chung, Khim-Dak-Palkyi, Dung-Cham, Shawa-Cham, Gayi-Cham, Palden Lhamo Cham, and Gelong Cham. Each ritual carries symbolic meaning linked to Buddhist cosmology, moral discipline, and spiritual protection.
A key highlight of this year’s observance will be the long-life empowerment ceremony, to be conferred by the Abbot of Tawang Monastery on January 17, adding special spiritual significance to the festival.
Held annually, the Torgya Festival continues to serve as a vital cultural and spiritual anchor for the Mon community, reaffirming Tawang Monastery’s role as a major centre of Buddhist learning, ritual practice, and living tradition in the eastern Himalayas.
