Festival · Phaplu
Mani Rimdu Festival at Chiwong
A vivid autumn Sherpa Buddhist festival of masked Cham dances and rituals at cliffside Chiwong Monastery near Phaplu.
The Mani Rimdu festival at Chiwong Monastery near Phaplu is one of the most vivid Buddhist celebrations in the Everest region — a multi-day autumn ritual in which Sherpa monks perform masked Cham dances to subdue negative forces, bless the community and reaffirm the triumph of Buddhism. Staged in the dramatic cliffside courtyard of Chiwong Monastery, it draws Sherpa families and visitors alike for a spectacle of colour, masks, music and devotion.
What is Mani Rimdu
Mani Rimdu is a sacred festival of the Nyingma tradition, celebrated at several Sherpa monasteries in Solu and Khumbu — most famously at Chiwong and at Tengboche in the high mountains. It unfolds over several days, beginning with the construction of a sand mandala and the empowerment of consecrated pills (the "ril bu" that give the festival its name), building to days of public masked dances and ending in fire offerings and communal celebration. Each dance dramatises the victory of Buddhist teaching over harmful forces.
For wider context, see the national overview of festivals of Nepal and our guide to Sherpa people and culture.
When it happens
Mani Rimdu falls in autumn, usually around October or November, on dates fixed by the Tibetan lunar calendar, so they shift each year. This timing happens to coincide with Nepal's clearest skies and best trekking weather — read the best time to visit Phaplu to plan around it. Because the precise dates change annually, confirm them well ahead before building a trip around the festival.
Attending respectfully
Visitors are warmly welcome to watch the public dances alongside local families, but this is a sacred ritual, not a performance staged for tourists. Dress modestly, keep a respectful distance from the dancers, sit where directed, and ask before taking close photographs. A small donation supports the monastery, and quiet, considerate behaviour is essential throughout.
Plan your visit
Accommodation around Phaplu fills during the festival, so book early and allow buffer days for weather-dependent flights into the Phaplu airstrip. Combine the festival with the contemplative Thubten Choling Monastery and the village of Junbesi for a deeply cultural autumn trip.
Good to know
- Season: Autumn (October/November), Tibetan lunar dates — confirm yearly.
- Where: Chiwong Monastery, on the ridge above Phaplu and Salleri.
- Etiquette: Modest dress, respectful distance, ask before close photos.
- Plan: Start with the top things to do in Phaplu and the Phaplu travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mani Rimdu festival?+
Mani Rimdu is a multi-day Tibetan Buddhist festival celebrated in Sherpa monasteries of the Everest region. Monks perform masked Cham dances and rituals over several days to subdue negative forces, bless the community and reaffirm the triumph of Buddhism, ending in communal celebration.
When is Mani Rimdu held at Chiwong?+
Mani Rimdu falls in autumn, typically around October or November, on dates set by the Tibetan lunar calendar, so they shift each year. Chiwong Monastery near Phaplu and Tengboche in the high Khumbu are the most famous venues; confirm the exact dates before planning a trip around it.
Can tourists attend Mani Rimdu at Chiwong?+
Yes — visitors are welcome to watch the public masked dances respectfully alongside Sherpa families. Dress modestly, keep a respectful distance from the performers, ask before photographing closely, and remember it is a sacred ritual, not a staged show, so behave accordingly.
How do you reach Chiwong for the festival?+
Chiwong sits on a ridge a few hours' uphill walk from Phaplu and Salleri, reachable by flying into Phaplu or travelling overland. Accommodation around Phaplu fills up during the festival, so plan ahead and allow buffer days for weather-dependent flights.
