Samtenling Nunnery - Festivals and Holidays

The nuns have summer holiday for two months. Many leave for cooler places and the ones staying at the Nunnery can study or engage in retreats. It is compulsory for the new nuns to take an initiation of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom that is especially practiced by students. This retreat takes a week.

The nuns have a summer picnic. There are holidays for the Sonam Losar (Harvest New Year) generally celebrated in Ladakh as Ladakh New Year and the Tibetan New Year as well as holidays on special days set on the Drikung calendar.

The first day of the New Years are celebrated in the Temple at Jangchubling Monastery with His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche on the throne. Guru Yoga (Lama Chöpa) is recited, auspicious rice, tea, and barley soup is served. Following the ceremony everyone goes up to His Holiness and other senior Drikung Lamas to offer scarves and New Year wishes. They in turn bless the gathering.There is a tea party, games and a special lunch on both the New Years.