Thupchen Wall Paintings Restoration Project
The 15th-century monument Thupchen is an impressive monastery in terms of its architectural build and intricate wall paintings. Prior to the American Himalayan Foundation's intervention in 1998, this grandiose monument had lost most of its paintings to water seepage, multiple earthquakes, and other weather changes. With support from AHF and lead conservator Luigi Feini, the wall paintings, statues, wooden ceilings, and stupas within the monument have been successfully restored along with reinforcements of wall structures.
In this process, locals who have never been to school have learned techniques of retouching and cleaning debris from these ancient paintings, as well as shading and painting over empty walls that have been completely destroyed, all while keeping the original makeup in mind. In 2020, the Lo Gyalpo Jigme Foundation took over the management of this important work.
Tiji Festival
Tiji is an annual three-day festival indigenous to the Loba people, the natives of Upper Mustang. It is a sacred ritual performed by monks of Monchoe Dragkar Thegchen Ling Monastery, Lomanthang, to dispel evil spirits and protect the village and its people. Tiji holds strong historical and religious meaning to the people of Lo. It has been taking place for many centuries and is still enacted in the traditional way. It is one of the most popular festivals in the Upper Mustang, attracting a large number of tourists and villagers and contributing greatly to the local economy.
The Lo Gyalpo Jigme Foundation has been supporting the festival by providing necessary funding for the operations during the festival, as well as by documenting the festival. Over the years, the Tiji festival has been revived nearly to its original grandeur, and we hope to keep supporting the regeneration of this important celebration of Lo Manthang.
