The Auspicious
Heavenly Maid Festival held on the 20th day of the 9th month of
Tibetan year.
The festival, known as Belha Rabzhol in the Tibetan language,
is a regular event during which lamas from the Moru Monastery
offer sacrifices to othe Auspicious Heavenly Maid, the protector
of Buddhist doctrine for the Jokhang Monastery in Lhasa. The portrait
of the Auspicious Heavenly Maid is carried to the Sakyamuni Hall
on the evening of the 14th day and placed opposite the statue
of Sakyamuni. Lamas holding the portrait of the Auspicious Heavenly
Maid high in the air parade along Barkor Street at dawn on the
15th day, with on-lookers presenting gifts of hada scarves. The
procession returns to the Jokhang Monastery and the portrait is
then returned to its normal venue following a series of religious
rituals. Tibetan women, who love the festival and affectionately
refer to its as they Fairy Festival, adorn their best clothing
and attempt to look their best clothing and attempt to look their
very best to worship the portrait of the Auspicious Heavenly Maid.
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