Shoton is the opera festival in Tibet when people celebrate the advent of spring and pray for a bountiful harvest in the ensuing season. This popular festival coincides with Monlam or the Great Prayer festival and the Tibetan New Year. In the ancient times, Tibetans used to celebrate the Shoton Festival by visiting the mountain hermitages where customary yogurt was served followed entertainment programmes. Held on the first day of the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar, the Shoton Festival is one of the most popular festivals in the present Tibet.
If we try to trace the origin of the Shoton Festival, we will learn that Tsongkhapa the founder of the Gelugpa or the yellow sect of Buddhism initiated the tradition of celebrating the Shoton Festival. He had set a rule that Buddhists could cultivate themselves only indoors during the summer months in order to avoid killing animals carelessly as they are the most active during that period. However, he also pointed out that this rule would only apply till the seventh lunar month after which the Buddhists could go outdoors and accept yogurt served by the locals besides having fun. By the middle of the 17th century, the 5th Dalai Lama added another dimension to the Shoton Festival by adding the opera part to it.
Right now, the Shoton Festival sees some of the most famous Tibetan opera troupes descend upon the Dalai Lama's palace to regale the mesmerized audience. Color, variety and fun blend together to give onlookers one of the most memorable experiences of their lives. You could also be a part of the Shoton Festival and revel in its beauty and charm. In that case you can just get in touch with TSI Holidays and let us script a very memorable vacation for you.
