Tibetan Buddhism believers are praying in the Jokhang Temple during the Goddess Festival.[Photo/Xinhua]

The "Goddess Festival", also known as the "Fairy Maiden Festival", is celebrated every year on the 15th day of the tenth month on the Tibetan calendar.

Palden Lhamo, an Indian goddess, became the guardian of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa after she was invited there by Tubo King Songtsen Gampo when the Jokhang Temple was being built in Lhasa in 647 A.D. However, as legend has it, she became a strict mother who disapproved of her daughter Palbar Dongtse’s love affair with Tritsugtsen, the guardian of the Jokhang Temple. Palden Lhamo was infuriated to such an extent that she drove Tritsugtsen to the southern bank of the Lhasa River. Henceforth, the two lovers could only meet on the 15th day of the 10th month every year.

Palbar Dongtse, though with a ugly face in the shape of a frog, was believed to be a kind goddess who avidly protected women and children, and she was much honored by Buddhist believers. Consequentially, the 15th day of the 10th month, which was the only day when she and her beloved met, was turned into the "Goddess Festival". On this day, an annual ritual is held in Lhasa’s Jokhang Temple by Tibetan monks as well as Buddhist believers. The image of the goddess will be displayed on the periphery of the Jokhang Temple next to Songtsen Gampo. Pilgrims will flock to the Jokhang Temple, present Khada to the goddess, burn aromatic plants, prostrate in front of the Jokhang Temple, and pray for good luck.

"Palden Lhamo is the guardian goddess of Lhasa," said Baima Tsering, a Lhasa old resident. "Every year on this day, I come here to pray for good health for my daughters."

Today the "Goddess Festival" has become the Tibetan "Women’s Day". Women, old and young, dress themselves up in festival costumes and make wishes in front of the image of the Goddess. You may see them holding flowers in their hands on the streets in Lhasa. Additionally, it has become a custom that women have the special privilege of asking for money from men, who cannot reject it by any means.

In the past, fathers or brothers usually gave their daughters or sisters some money as gifts. But now "asking for money" has become a new tradition, and it is favored by many women, according to Baima Tsering.

A Tibetan woman is praying in the Jokhang Temple during the Goddess Festival.[Photo/Xinhua]