School > Yangri Mountain

Yangri Mountain is situated in the Helambu area of the Sindhupalchowk District in Nepal. It is located about 3,000 mts above sea level. Most local people call the mountain "Yangri" but its full name is "Ama Chomu Yangri" (meaning 'area of wealth of mother god'). It is important to the Hyolmu (people of Helambu) because it is regarded as a religious place and each year a festival is held at the top, on the fill moon day of Baishak (the first Nepali month).

On the festival day, the people from the surrounding villages get up early in the morning to make the 5 hour trek up to the mountain. The journey passes through forests, jungle and grassland. On the way we can see many different kinds of wildlife such as the Lophophorous (the national bird of Nepal) and Rhododendron (the national flower of Nepal).

Many hundreds of people gather on the mountain top for the festival. The big white stupa on top is freshly painted for the festival day, and people hang "lungbar" (coloured prayer flags) on top of it. People celebrate the festival by burning incense, placing "khadas" (white scarves) and offering prayers to the god of Yangri. Lamas (local Buddhist priests) chant Buddhist prayers from holy books. Long wooden poles with white lungbars are also placed around the stupa. After praying, people have lunch with their friends and family.

Afterwards, they perform their own traditional songs and dance. The dance is called "Shabru" in the local dialect.

The weather on top of Yangri is usually cloudy and cold, and often there is snow and hail. When the weather is clear we can see amazing views of mountain covered in snow, green valleys, waterfalls and surrounding villages. We can also see our school, from a distance when the weather is clear.

Near the stupa there is a small cave which has a stone frog in it. People have many different beliefs about that frog. One of the beliefs is that: if anyone takes garlic near it there will be a hailstorm.

The festival lasts for about 3 hours, then the Lamas give "chho" (holy food) to the people. Everyone then returns to their villages. On the way back, people are very happy and sing many songs. The festival is very enjoyable and each year we go there with our teachers and friends from Yangrima School.

Written by Class IX:

Tshering Sonam Lama
Nima Lama
Dawa Lama
Rajan Lama (Kami)
Chhiring Lama
Ngajo Lama
Sitar Dolma Lama