| Like all other tribesmen of the Kameng district, even | | | | servants, one male and the other female. They are |
| the 'Monpas' celebrates a numbers of festivals in a | | | | also followed by other Lamas who carries drums, |
| yearly planner according to perfect Buddhist manners | | | | cymbals and and swords. The drums and the cymbals |
| and ways in their respective village monasteries | | | | are played on the way. After reaching the 'Mechang' , |
| (Gompas) on a communal basis and on an individual | | | | the 'Torma' is thrown in the blazing fire after touching |
| manner also. However, the 'Tawang- Torgya' festival | | | | it by the head Lama (Khambu). |
| is celebrated and performed only at the world | | | | The touching of the 'Torma' by the head Lama is |
| famous Tawang Monastery. That is why, the name | | | | known as 'Sanggona- Torgya and because of this |
| of the festival is Tawang- Torgya'. This particular | | | | connection the festival is known as 'Torgya'. After |
| festival is celebrated for these days starting from | | | | this ritual, the head Lama returns to the monastery |
| 28th to 30th "Dawachukjipa" corresponding to 10th | | | | and the other Lamas follow him. |
| to 12th January of the English calendar. This festival is | | | | On the last day of the "Tawang-Torgya' festival, a |
| celebrated amidst much joy and devotion in order to | | | | worship is performed which is known as 'Wang' at |
| get rid of any external aggression and to save | | | | the monastery. For this barley, sugar or molasses are |
| themselves from any natural calamities and disasters. | | | | mixed and congealed first and then agglomerated to |
| About 'Tawang Torgya' : | | | | several ball shaped sweets called 'Tseril' which are |
| On the first day of the festival the worship which is | | | | distributed by the Lamas to those who have |
| performed is known as 'Torgya'. For this particular | | | | attended the festival. Along with these sweet balls |
| worship, a make belief image is made of ghee, | | | | (Tseril) local beer (Tse-Chang) is also offered as |
| barley, milk, and molasses in the name of "Lama | | | | oblation in a bowl of human skull. As soon as the |
| Tsongkapa" and this particular image is known as | | | | prayer is over, the oblation is distributed and every |
| 'Torma'. As far as the image of 'Torma' is concerned | | | | person should received at least a drop or two of this |
| , it should be approximately 3 feet in height and 2 | | | | drink. When the distribution of 'Tse-chang' is over, the |
| feet in breadth and for the preparation of 'Torma' | | | | head Lama or 'Khambu' offers blessings to evry |
| the amount of barley should be proportionately more | | | | person by touching their head with a ritual object |
| than other ingredient. The 'Torma' is prepared by a | | | | known as 'Tse-Boom for a happy and prosperous life. |
| group of priest (Lamas) of the Tawang monastery | | | | Meanwhile, when the offering or blessings by the |
| fourteen days before the actual festival begins. From | | | | head -Lama continues the other lamas tie a priece of |
| the first day of the making of the 'Torma', holy | | | | cloth on every persons neck either of the colour of |
| scriptures are read by a group of priests from the | | | | white, red, blue etc. which is about half to one inch in |
| Tawang monastery. The reading of the scriptures is | | | | breadth. Similar piece of yellow cloth is being tied on |
| accompanied by the beating of drums by another | | | | the neck of the 'lamas' and the 'Anes' by a senior |
| group of Lamas. In the meantime, a huge amount of | | | | lama of the monastery which indicated the signs of |
| dry bamboo leaves are collected in a heap which is | | | | long and happy life. |
| known as 'Mechang' . infact, from a far of distance, it | | | | Conclusion : |
| looks like a temple. On the 10th of January, the | | | | That, is how , the Tawang-Torgya festival is |
| 'Mechang' is burit by the Head Lama (Khambu) of the | | | | celebrated and performed at Tawang monastery. As |
| monastery. He is also accompanied by other Lamas | | | | mentioned earlier, the Monpas always profess the |
| while burning the 'Mechang'. Meanwhile, the 'Torma' is | | | | 'Mahayana' sect of Buddhism and the cultural and |
| carried near to the fix- place by some other Lamas. | | | | religious life of the Monpas revolves round the |
| These are known as 'Arpo'. Moreover, the 'Lamas' | | | | Tawang monastery. The 'Monpas' occupy the |
| who carries the 'Torma' used to wear bells at their | | | | beautiful valley of the north and the northwest |
| waists. This group of lamas is accompanied by other | | | | province of 'Bomdila' lying at the foot of the |
| two Lamas. One of them wears a male Yak horn | | | | mountain ranges varying from one thoiusand feet to |
| mask, and the other a female Yak horn. Both the | | | | eleven thousand feet or sometimes even more. By |
| Lamas are known as 'Choige-yap-yum'. | | | | profession' 'Monpas' are agriculturist a as well as |
| ‘Choige’ means a servent, ‘Yap’ | | | | traders also. Apart from Tawang-Torgya' the Monpas' |
| means male and ‘Yum’ means female. | | | | celebrate a few other festivals also annually in the |
| It is because of this, Lamas Tsongkapa had two | | | | 'Gompas' and in their respective houses as well. |