Mani Rimdu Festival is one of the auspicious festivals in the Khumbu region (Everest region). This festival will be celebrated in three main monasteries, such as Tengboche, Thame, and Chiwong. Mani Rimdu will celebrate for nineteen days, and each day covers different events. Among these 19 days, three days are publicly open to everyone. And during these three days, people from the whole region and Lamas from all over Nepal l will visit Solukhumbu to attend this carnival.
Mani Rimdu Festival is an ancient celebration, and it’s celebrated because of Buddhism’s victory over Bon. During the festival, monks will wear various types of fearsome masks and costumes. And perform different types of dance forms by showing how Buddhism overcame Bon. It’s a celebration of the Tantric Master Guru Padmasambhava, who is also known as Maha Guru Rimpoche. Mani Rimdu is one of the most important festivals celebrated in Sherpa villages around Mount Everest.
The Mani Rimdu Festival 2026 is on 15, 16, and 17 November 2026.
The festival lasts for three days, beginning with an impressive ritual that involves hundreds of worshippers lighting butter lamps and sending them up into the sky in order to call upon Buddha Shakyamuni (the historical Buddha) for assistance during this time of need. The following day is dedicated entirely towards celebrating its founder’s teachings through music and dance performances spread across Tengboche Monastery grounds as well as its surrounding villages, where pilgrims gather on pilgrimage trips leading up from different places towards Mt Everest Base Camp itself.
The main attractions of the Mani Rindu Festival
Sand Mandala
In the Buddhist community, the mandala is a meditation tool. And it’s a mixture of various knowledge and empowerment. Making a Mandala will take lots of time, effort, and manpower, especially the Sand Mandala. Joining the Mani Rimdu Festival trip will take you to observe the beautiful Sand Mandala created by the Monks of the Tengboche Monastery.
Wang (The blessing from Guru Rimpoche)
The wang is the first day for the public to join the celebration. It will perform on the full moon day of the 10th month as per the Tibetan calendar. As a blessing, the sacred Mani Rimdu (the sacred blessing pills) and Tshereel (the sacred pill for long life) will be given to everyone who attends the Festival Celebration.
Various dance performances
On the occasion of the Mani Rimdu Festival, there will be various types of dance performances. This kind of dance form will be called Chham, which is only performed at the Mani Rimdu; such dance performances are very sacred. Such a dance will show how the Buddhists overcome the Bon step by step.
The fire Puja Known as Jinsak
The fire Puja will be performed in the enclosure the day after the proms. This celebration is an offering to Agni (The fire God) and all the gods and Goddesses of the Sand Mandala. Afterward, the sand mandala in the temple is pulled to pieces, and the sand is given as an offering to the serpent gods (Nagas).
Where is the Mani Rindu Festival Celebrated?
This festival is celebrated in three different monasteries of the Everest region. It is celebrated in different places, but the same rituals will follow.
1: Tengboche Monastery (The most popular one) – Mani Rimdu Festival at Tengboche is a very popular one because it offers the best view of the Everest, Lothse, Mount Ama Dablam, and many mountain peaks.
2: Thame Monastery – Thame is vary popular place and home of the legendary climbers like Kami Rita Sherpa, etc. Observing the Mani Rimdu Festival at Thame village is less crowded and more traditional. If you are looking for a less crowded and authentic celebration, this one is the perfect option for you.
3: Chiwong Monastery – Mani Rimdu Festival Trek at Chiwong Monastery is suitable for those who have limited time and want to observe this celebration. As it is near Lukla and road access to Sallery, you can easily get there for this celebration.
Mani Rimdu Festival Trek Itinerary
The Mani Rimdu Festival will be celebrated in different places in the Everest region. But the most popular ones are at Tengboche Monastery and Chiwang Monastery. Tengboche is in the Upper part of the Everest region, which can be combined with the Everest Base Camp Trek. And Chiwang is in the lower part and can combine with the Pikey Peak Trek. So the Itineraries are as follows.
Festival at Tengboche Monastery and EBC Trek
| Day | Month/ Date | Itinerary |
| Day 1 | November 13 | Trek to Namche Bazar, 3450 meters |
| Day 2 | November 14 | Trek to Tengboche (3850 meters) and observe day one of Mani Rimdu |
| Day 3 | November 15 | Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche 4910 meters |
| Day 4 | November 16 | On the second day of the festival |
| Day 5 | November 17 | On the third day of the festival |
| Day 6 | November 18 | Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche, 4410 meters |
| Day 7 | November 19 | Trek from Lobuche to Gorekshep and EBC 5364 meters |
| Day 8 | November 20 | Trek from Phorste to Khumjung Village, 3800 meter |
| Day 9 | November 21 | Hike to Kalapatter and trek to Pheriche at 4250 meters |
| Day 10 | November 22 | Trek from Pheriche to Phortse |
| Day 11 | November 23 | Trek from Phorste to Khumjung Village, 3800 meters |
| Day 12 | November 24 | Trek Khumjung to Manju |
| Day 13 | November 25 | Trek from Manju to Lukla |
| Day 14 | November 26 | Fly back to Kathmandu |
This itinerary can be customized to your time and wishes to visit places. If you don’t want to go to Everest Base Camp, you can go back to Namche and then to Lukla. After Base Camp, if you do not want to explore Phortse and Khumjung, you can follow the trail via Tengboche.
During the celebration at Tengboche, there may be a shortage of accommodation. So that sometimes you might sleep in a tent or better to occupy a tent with you from Kathmandu.
Festival Celebration at Chiwong Monastery
| Day 1 | November 11 | Drive to Dhap (2850m) from KTM, a 7-8 hrs drive & trek to Jhapre. |
| Day 2 | November 12 | Trek to Pikey Peak Base Camp (3640m) |
| Day 3 | November 13 | Trek to Loding (2515m) |
| Day 4 | November 14 | Trek to Junbesi (2700m). Also you can visit Thupten Chholing Monastery |
| Day 5 | November 15 | Trek to Chiwong. First day of the festival |
| Day 6 | November 16 | On the second day of the festival |
| Day 7 | November 17 | The third or final day of the festival |
| Day 8 | November 18 | Trek to Salleri |
| Day 9 | November 19 | 9 Back to Kathmandu by jeep/bus (Flight available only on Monday and Friday) |
After completion of this excursion, if you have more time and want to explore more of the Everest region. Then you can continue your trip to Everest Base Camp via Nunthala, Surke, Phakding, Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, and Lobuche. And the flight back to Kathmandu from Lukla.
Why is the Mani Rimdu Festival Trek a great trip?
Mani Rimdu Trek is combine beauty of nature and the culture of the Sherpa people in the Everest region. And this is the opportunity to witness both culture, tradition, and nature in one vacation. So, don’t miss such a great chance if you are a nature and culture lover. You can choose it in a higher or a lower place, anywhere you can have great memories of the celebration. You can make a holiday plan for a week or a 15-day trek, including the trek to Everest Base Camp.
If you want to stay below 4000m and enjoy the vibe of the Mani Rimdu, then Chiwang Monastery is a great option. Also, the combination of the Peaky Peak Trek will add an unbelievable remembrance. If you want to be in the lap of the world’s highest peak and attend the Mani Rimdu celebration, then Tengboche Monastery is perfect. That is why the Mani Rimdu Festival Trek is the perfect tour for you.
I am a trekking guide and travel blogger from Kathmandu, Nepal. Have been there a couple of time speically for during the festival time, and led the group for the Mani Rimdu Festival Trek. It was a great trekking experience when you catch this festival time and trek to Everest Base Camp.
