Annual Gutor prayers and Kagyed Chaam begin at Enchey Monastery

GANGTOK, 11 Dec: The annual Gutor Puja and the Kayged Chaam [a masked lama dance] began today here at the Sa-Ngag Rabtenling Monastery [Enchey Monastery] situated at Chandmari. The prayers and dance are performed every year by the monks of the Enchey Monastery and is organized by the Enchey Gonpa Committee, informed Karma Samphel, one of the committee members, while speaking to NOW! today. The dates and timing are fixed by monks according to the Tibetan calendar, he added.
The puja is performed to ward off evil omens and seek prosperity for the people and world peace. The prayers are being led by Tulku Pema Kundal, the head monk of Enchey Monastery. The masked lama dance, meanwhile, depicts peaceful and wrathful deities.
On the first day [11 December], a series of 10 dances were performed while on the second day i.e 12 December [Kagyed Chaam] a series of 14 dances will be performed by the monks. The ritual will also include Hsorphang [burning ceremony of sacrificial objects signifying ending of bad influence of evil spirit over human beings and for the well being of all the people] till next year’s ceremony, Mr. Samphel informs.
The devotees who attend the performances with faith and devotion, it is believed, will be freed from the fear and suffering experienced while passing through the Sipa Bardo [the last and final stage of the intermediate state that lies between death and rebirth].