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Torgya of Monpas |
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Torgya or Dung-gyur festival is one of the main festivals of the Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Monpas celebrate Torgya in the monastery premises for three days from the 27th to 29th of the eleven month according to the lunar calendar for peace, good health and general wellbeing of the people. The monks initiate the preparation of the festival by making a pyramidal structure of about ten feet height of flour, called Torgya, and place it before the images of deities in the main prayer hall. The Lamas recite religious texts, called “Torgya Chhaker” in full warrior outfit which is known as “Arpu.” A mass procession with the Torgya is carried out with chanting of slogans in the afternoon to a fire made outside the boundary wall of the monastery towards the southern gate. The Abbot accompanied by the senior Lamas of the monastery then throws the Torgya into the fire with a prayer to end all evil forces afflicting the people. They pray for happy and prosperous life and fulfillment of spiritual aspiration. While conducting the rituals the Lamas dress themselves in specially designed costumes and wear colourful masks of animals and deities and dance to the tune of the music of drum and cymbals in the front of the monastery’s assembly hall. Appa Pat-Sum, the main folk dance of the occasion, is performed by dancers. Torgya festival is called as Dungyur in every third year when it is celebrated in a grander scale. A year before commencement of Dungyur, a message is sent to the Dalai Lama by the abbot of the monastery seeking for his blessing and cooperation in the festival. After the receipt of the message, the Dalai Lama sends “Feb Jum”, a holy item, which is then mixed with barley and “Mane Ribu” pills to prepare “Dung.” A special prayer service known as “Chenrezi-Chikije” is also conducted with chanting of “Om Mane Feme Hung” mantra. On the third day of the festival, the Abbot bestows his blessings with a holy water vase by touching heads of everyone. This is called “Wang” and the Mane Ribu and “Rhungma”, the protected thread is distributed to all. It is believed by people that the protected thread worn around the neck keeps people away from evil spirits and brings welfare, good health and longevity in their lives.
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