Bathing Festival of Tibet

Bathing Festival usually falls in July according to Tibetan calendar (started from September 9 to 15 in 2019 Solar Calendar). Lasting a week, it is also known as the Bathing Week. In Tibetan it is called "Gamariji," meaning Venus. As the star rises to the sky, the mass bathing starts. As the star sets, the bathing ends. Legend goes that bathing at this period is beneficial to health.

According to Tibetan Buddhism, the water in Tibet at this time has 8 advantages: sweet, cool, soft, light, clear, clean, unharmful to throat, nor to belly. Judged from the natural environment and climate of Tibet, the river water has a relatively high temperature and is suitable for bathing. During the 7 days, thousands of Tibetan men and women go to river or lake to have baths.