Ganden Ngamchö · Ganden Ngamcho

Culture of origin: Buddhist · Cultural

Holiday sources: Buddhism

Ganden Ngamchö marks the passing of Jé Tsongkhapa (c. 1357–1419), whose work gave rise to the Gelug school; in 1409 he founded Ganden Monastery, north of Lhasa, where he died. People offer butter lamps at home and in the monasteries. In exile the day is kept with prayers, a praise of Tsongkhapa and a feast offering, as at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala in 2024, where some 3,500 people attended.