Festival · Tawang, Arunachal
Torgya at Tawang Monastery
Torgya is Tawang Monastery's winter festival of masked cham dances, held over three days in January to drive away evil and bring good fortune for the coming year. Monpa families come in their finest clothes, and the courtyard fills from early morning.
Photo: Kthatapalli · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsTorgya is held in the main courtyard of Tawang Monastery, the largest monastery in India, over three days in the depth of winter. Monks in elaborate masks and silk robes perform cham dances that represent protective deities and animals, accompanied by long horns, drums and cymbals. The dances end with the burning of an effigy that carries the misfortunes of the past year, symbolically clearing the way for the new.
Dates follow the Tibetan lunar calendar and usually fall in January. Every third year, the larger Dungyur festival is held in place of Torgya, with the same spirit and even bigger crowds. Exact dates are announced by the monastery each year; check current status before you travel.
The festival is a religious event first. Monpa families from Tawang and surrounding villages come to watch, make offerings and receive blessings, and stalls sell food and goods around the monastery. Days are cold and clear, nights well below freezing, and hotels fill, so book early.
Tips for the day
- Arrive in the courtyard by 8 am to find a place to sit; bring a cushion and a flask.
- Ask about the monastery's rules on photography and never use flash during the dances.
- Dress for sub-zero temperatures and book rooms at least two months ahead.
Where it happens
Tawang
Tawang is a Monpa town at about 2,670 m in far western Arunachal, built below India's largest Buddhist monastery. Give it three nights: one for the monastery and Urgelling, one for the high lakes, and one spare for weather. It is 320–500 km from Tezpur or Guwahati over Sela Pass or the new tunnel.
Stay nearby
Photo: Kthatapalli · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Mid
Hotel Gakyi Khang Zhang, Tawang
One of Tawang's longest-established hotels, Gakyi Khang Zhang sits in town with views towards the monastery and th…
Photo: Kthatapalli · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Luxury
Vivanta Tawang
A Taj-group hotel that opened in December 2023 a short drive from Tawang Monastery. Heated rooms, a full restauran…
Questions
About Torgya at Tawang Monastery
When is Torgya held at Tawang?
Usually in January, over three days from the 28th day of the 11th Tibetan month. Dates change each year with the lunar calendar. Check current status before you travel.
Can tourists watch the Torgya festival?
Yes. Visitors are welcome in the monastery courtyard. Dress modestly, sit where you are shown, and follow the monastery's rules on photography.
What is the difference between Torgya and Dungyur?
Torgya is the annual winter festival. Every third year the larger Dungyur festival is held in its place at Tawang Monastery, drawing even bigger crowds.
Is it very cold during Torgya?
Yes. Daytime temperatures in Tawang in January are around 0–8 °C, and nights fall well below freezing. Bring thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a warm hat.