1st iNTERNATIONAL SAGA DAWA RUNNING FESTIVAL may 10-11, 2025 & HIMALAYAN ARTS SYMPOSIUM MAY 12-18, 2025
Thekchhen Pema Chholing Monastery, Salleri welcomes you to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Saga Dawa month and Buddha Purnima
PREPARE TO EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE FESTIVAL IN NEPAL
MAY 2025
This month holds deep spiritual significance for Buddhist practitioners and is an auspicious time for the Buddhist community across Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and India. The festival commemorates three major events in the life of Gautama Buddha, all believed to have occurred on the same day: the full moon of the fourth Tibetan lunar month, usually in May or June. These events are:
Birth: Siddhartha Gautama’s birth in Lumbini, Nepal.
Enlightenment: His attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India.
Passing: His passing into Nirvana at Kushinagar, India.
This triple celebration makes Saga Dawa a profoundly sacred time for Buddhists, as it honors the entire journey of the Buddha. It is considered the most auspicious month for accumulating merit, as it is believed that any good karma and virtuous actions performed during this time are multiplied, attracting 100,000 times more merit than on ordinary days.
Therefore, devotees engage in acts of giving, such as donations, feeding the poor, and releasing animals, to cultivate compassion and generosity. There is also an increased focus on prayer, mantra recitation (e.g., "Om Mani Padme Hum"), and meditation to help purify negative karma and accumulate positive energy.
SAGA DAWA
A BUDDHIST MONTH OF MERITS
Saga dawa marathon song-
An appeal for World Peace through Buddha's teachings
Celebrating Movement, Art, and Spirituality in the Himalayas
Saga Dawa International Running Festival, Salleri
May 10-12,2025
Himalayan Art Symposium
May 12-18,2025
&
Snapshot
salleri
Salleri lies in the Solududhkunda municipality and serves as the district headquarters of the Solukhumbu district. Being located at the center of the district, and also being the center for all administrative works, Salleri is not only the gateway to the Himalayan peaks including Mt. Everest, but also to many touristic destinations including Pikey Peak and various monasteries.
Housing about 20 big and small Buddhist Monasteries within the periphery of 50 km, this town can be reenvisioned as a Buddhist spiritual capital in the Nepali Himalaya, just next to Lumbini- Buddha’s birthplace.
Thekchhen Pema Chholing Monastery
Center of Mahayana Buddhism and serves as both a place of worship and an arts and culture center. Established in 1995, the monastery has supported the local Himalayan Indigenous community for nearly three decades, providing a vital space for Buddhist practice, arts, and education.
Buddha's Relic
Pilgrimage site
Preservation of Himalayan Arts
and many more initiatives...
Relics, known as "ringsel" in Tibetan, are believed to be physical remains or objects associated with the Buddha or other enlightened beings. Buddha's relics are not just physical objects but profound spiritual treasures that embody the essence of his teachings.
Adopting modern approach to the ancient wisdom
FUNDRAISER FESTIVAL
The Saga Dawa Running festival is a unique fundraiser initiative to bring the non-local participants to the region for an experience and the offerings of the Dharma. All the proceedings from the ticket price will be counted as donation to support the noble social projects of the Monastery.
Running Festival Itinerary
Starting from May 10, Join us for the days filled with happy movement and mindfulness activities.
MAY 10 , 2025
Join the fun run with the local participants of Salleri and nearby regions taking you on a round of the bazaar and nearby village. Open for all kinds of runners.
Prep day for the competitive runners.
MAY 11 , 2025
Day for the competitive races.
Marathon 42.2 km
Half Marathon 21.1 km
11 km Buddhist heritage trail
Open for seasoned runners.
3K AND 7K COMMUNITY FUN RUN
COMPETITIVE RACE DAY
MAY 12 , 2025 - MAY 18, 2025
BUDDHA PURNIMA COMMUNITY PROCESSION &
THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF
7 DAYS HIMALAYAN ART SYMPOSIUM
supported by the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Arts
DAY 3-9
DAY 2
DAY 1
bUDDHIST DRUMMING WARM UP
Mindful movement SESSION
SAGA DAWA TEACHINGS AND MEDITATION
CULTURAL FOOD TOUR
LOWER SOLUKHUMBU FASHION SHOW
SHERPA DANCE WORKSHOP
MONASTERY FILM SCREENING
RACE KIT PICK UP AND BRIEFING
CULTURAL ACTIVITY LINE UPS
CULTURAL ACTIVITY LINE UPS
BUDDHA PURNIMA PROGRAM
JOIN THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR LOCAL RITUALS, PROCESSION AND REGIONAL ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMS ON THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASSION.
Help fundraise for the monastery's noble initiatives during this auspicious month.
bUDDHIST DRUMMING WARM UP
Mindful movement SESSION
SAGA DAWA TEACHINGS AND MEDITATION
CULTURAL FOOD TOUR
LOWER SOLUKHUMBU FASHION SHOW
SHERPA DANCE WORKSHOP
children's art competition
Prize distribution
ethnic music and dance program
Saga Dawa Competitive Race Overview
Exploring the marathon, half marathon, and 11k race routes.
Saga Dawa Marathon
A full 26.2-mile challenge for serious runners.
Saga Dawa Half Marathon
13.1 miles, perfect for both beginners and seasoned athletes.
Saga Dawa 11k Buddhist Heritage Trail Race
An engaging 11K route for all fitness levels.
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The running races are organised in partnership with Nepal Trail Series Pvt Ltd, specialising in Trail and Mountain Races in Nepal and official international coordinator for Nepal Adventure Running Federation.
Contact Us
Reach out to us for inquiries about the Saga Dawa International Running Festival and our noble projects at the monastery.