Buddha Unfolding Festival – Tibet

Every year, during the Shoton Festival, a grand event to unveil a giant Thangka of Buddha is held at the Drepung Monastery, in Lhasa.


According to the locals, the giant Thangka of Buddha was drawn by hundreds of artisans and only unveiled once a year. The purpose of the unveiling is to let the sun shine on it. Hence the festival is also known as the ‘Sunshine on the Buddha’.

The unveiling takes place in Drepung Monastery which is located in the mountains, in Lhasa. In order to see and participate in this event, people must climb up the mountain, one has to be up very early in the morning. It takes about two hours of walking and climbing to reach the destination.

Expect the temperatures to be very low and cold. If it rains, everyone would have to wait till it stops, and this may take an hour or two. The unfolding is carried out by hundreds of monks while Tibetan opera troupes perform at Norbulingka.

The photos were contributed by a friend, Lee Chin.