Tibetan Festivals - Gaden Ngachoe

Gaden Ngachoe is one of the most famous events for Tibetans. It is the day on which we pay tribute to the memory of “Je Tsong Khapa". It is recognized every year on the 25th of 10th Tibetan month. On this day, every Tibetan lights up lots butter lamps and candles in and around their houses, monasteries and other buildings. When they light up the candles and butter lamps, they chant a special Tibetan prayer called “Migmei Tsewai”

   That evening, every Tibetan home will have the “Bathug”: a traditional food for dinner. Before 1959, on Gaden Ngachoe, all Tibetan government officials would start wearing winter cloths.

   Je Tsong Khapa was born in Amdo, Tsong Kha in 1357. When he was three years old, he became a novice in the monastery. When he was seven, he went to Lhasa and learned lots of things from a famous Tibetan monk. He became a master of Tibetan Buddhism at 24. At 36, he started practicing many forms of meditation. Then, he became very good at speaking. Debating and writing. When he was 37 years old, he built a statue of the famous Buddha of the future: Jampa Gonpo", near the Woalga pond. At 39, he teached Tibetan Buddhism at “Lungra”. At 48, he wrote a book called “ Ngak rim chemo”. When he was 51 years old, the Chinese emperor invited him 3 times to come to China, but he declined the invitation. At 52, he made a new festival in Tibet called the “Chotrul Monlam Che mo”. In 1419 AD, on the 25th of tenth month in Tibetan calendar, he passed away, and every year since that day, observed Gaden Ngachoe to commemorate his life and works.