Lugu Lake Festivals and Events
The Lugu Lake is the settlements for the Mosuo and Naxi Minorities. There are some local characteristic festivals and activities that are not to be missed.
1.Torch Festival
This is a famous festival of those of the Yi Group living in Ninglang County of Lijiang. Originally held on every 24th June of Chinese lunar calendar, this festival was supposed to use fire to protect crops from the destructive insect by fire. Now, it is a bustling trading fair in this region, also involving entertainments. By night, the locals will take torches with them, and gather for singing and dancing around a bonfire.
2. Worshiping Mountain Festival(Zhuanshan Festival)
On July the 25th of the lunar calendar, it is the local festival of revolving around mountains as sacrifice to the goddess, during which they revolve from the ancestral path behind Dazu Village, until they reach the goddess temples and holes at the top.
3. Tiaoshen Festival(跳神节)
On the 7th day of the first lunar month, Tibetan Buddhism temples hold memorial activities like sorcerer’s dance in a trance, during which dancers wear special masks to perform Buddha, deities, and monks etc., intending to defend the dharma and dharma practice.
4.Buddha Basking Festival(祭太阳神)
On November the 15th according to the lunar calendar, Buddha Basking Festival is held in the lama temple, in worship of the Sun God. Believers bow towards the rising Sun in the east and worship the Sun God, as well as the cloth portrayal of the Sun God, making a strongly ritual feeling.
5. Fast and Silence Assembly(禁斋忌言法会)
On the 2nd day of the lunar June, the so-called fast and silence assembly is held in Liwubi Temple, during which followers accumulate virtue through kowtow, fast, and avoiding words etc. They practice merit, in order to avoid becoming species that are unable of speaking and lack of food, in the process of samsara and through this ascetic practice, they intend to jump out of the painful process of samsara.
6.Bonfire Party
Enjoying a campfire party is a must do in Lugu Lake tour, to experience the local life and diet. But you have to pay for the entrance fee for the party. In each village around the Lugu Lake, bonfire parties are irregularly held, which can be informed through inquiry of the hotel owner.
