Buddha's image appears gradually. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

July 13 was the last day of "Sunning the Buddha" activities at Tashilhunpo Monastery (the traditional seat of Panchen Lamas) in Shigatse, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

The annual "Sunning the Buddha" event lasts for three days from the 14th and 16th days of the fifth month by Tibetan calendar, with each day sunning one giant portrait of Buddhas: Amitabha, Buddha of the past; Shakyamuni Buddha, Buddha of the present; Champa Buddha (Maitreya), Buddha of the future.

On July 13, monks from Tashilhunpo Monastery unfolded the giant portrait of Champa Buddha, which is manual embroidery made of silks, satins and brocades and measures 40 meters long and 29 meters wide.

The Buddha sunning festival is a grand religious meeting at Tashilhunpo Monastery with a history of 500 years, when a series of religious rituals including sutra chanting, Buddhist sermon, and a ritual to pray for rain will be held for Buddhists and believers from near and afar coming for the holy event.

Photo shows Buddhists and believers from near and afar coming for the holy event. [Photo/China Tibet Online] 

Preparation for Sunning the Buddha ceremony. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Believers waiting for the unfolding of Buddha's portrait at the foot of the Buddha-sunning platfom of the Tashilhunpo Monastery. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Believers waiting for the unfolding of Buddha's portrait at the foot of the Buddha-sunning platfom of the Tashilhunpo Monastery. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Freed captive sheep on the hillside of Tashilhunpo Moanstery. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Sunning the Buddha festival at Tashilhunpo Monastery attracts not only believers but also tourists domestic and abroad. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

The giant Thangka of Buddha to be unfolded to people. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Waiting for the touching moment. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Buddha's image appears gradually. [Photo/China Tibet Online]