TAWANG : The three-day Lhamo Torchen ritual concluded at Tawang Monastery on Monday with the traditional burning of the Torgya ritual dough effigy at Chhamleng, led by the monastery’s Abbot Venerable Phara Damey Tulku Rinpoche along with senior monks amid the chanting of sacred Buddhist mantras and prayers.

The annual observance, held from July 11 to 13, drew thousands of devotees, pilgrims and visitors to the monastery for prayers, spiritual reflection and blessings.

One of the most revered religious ceremonies of the Monpa community, the ritual is observed in accordance with the centuries-old traditions of Tawang Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery. Special 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 peace, happiness and well-being for all sentient beings.

A central feature of the observance is the invocation of Palden Lhamo, the principal Dharma Protector, seeking divine blessings to dispel negative forces, epidemics, diseases, natural calamities and other obstacles.

The ceremonial burning of the Torgya effigy symbolises the destruction of negativity and the purification of harmful influences, while ushering in peace, harmony, prosperity and spiritual well-being for the people of Monyul and beyond.

Throughout the three-day observance, devotees participated with deep faith and devotion, receiving blessings from the monks and joining prayers for universal compassion, communal harmony and lasting peace.

The concluding ceremony was attended by Tawang Zila Parishad Chairperson Leki Gombu, Zila Parishad Member Kyidphel Tenzin Monpa and thousands of devotees from across the district, reflecting the spiritual significance of the occasion.

The monastery administration expressed confidence that the collective prayers offered during the ritual would strengthen harmony among communities and contribute to peace and prosperity across the region and beyond.