TAWANG, Jul 13: The annual three-day Lhamo Torchen ritual concluded with great religious fervour at Tawang Monastery on Monday, marked by the traditional burning of the Torgya ritual dough effigy at Chhamleng.
The concluding ceremony was led by the monastery's Abbot, Venerable Phara Damey Tulku Rinpoche, accompanied by senior monks of Tawang Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery amid the chanting of sacred Buddhist scriptures and prayers.
Held from July 11 to 13, the annual ritual attracted thousands of devotees, pilgrims and visitors from different parts of the region, who gathered to participate in prayers, receive blessings and reaffirm their faith.
Lhamo Torchen is among the most revered religious observances of the Monpa community and is conducted in accordance with the centuries-old traditions of Tawang Monastery. The sacred prayers are offered for the long life, good health, and continued enlightened activities of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Tenzin Gyatso, while invoking universal peace, happiness, and well-being for all sentient beings.
A key highlight of the ceremony is the invocation of Palden Lhamo, the principal Dharma Protector, whose blessings are sought to ward off negative forces, epidemics, diseases, natural calamities and other obstacles.
The ceremonial burning of the Torgya effigy symbolizes the destruction of evil and negativity, heralding peace, harmony, prosperity and spiritual well-being for the people of Monyul and beyond.
The concluding programme was attended by Tawang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Leki Gombu, ZPM Kyidphel Tenzin Monpa and thousands of devotees, underscoring the deep spiritual and cultural significance of the annual observance.
The monastery administration said the collective prayers offered during the three-day ritual would strengthen compassion, foster communal harmony and contribute to peace and prosperity across the region and the world.