The Dolpo Shelri Dugdra Festival, also known as the Shey Crystal Mountain Festival, holds significant religious importance, believed to be the second most sacred site after Mt. Kailash (Gangkar Tise). Shey Ribo Drugdra or Shey Crystal Mountain is located at an elevation of 4770m from sea level. Shey Festival is one of the religious festivals for the people of upper Dolpo which is celebrated after the 12^th year based on the Tibetan lunar calendar, the year of the dragon. All the people of Dolpo and around the world are going to join the festival to celebrate different activities such as local archery, circumambulation, horse racing, free medical camps, etc.

In the 12th century, the founder of the Drikung Kagyu sect, Kyopa Jigten Sumgon, sent his principal disciple, Master Drupthop Singe Yeshe, to the Ngari regions. During his visit, he witnessed numerous miracles and holy treasures on Dolpo Shelri Dugdra. This festival is observed every 12 years in the Dragon Year to commemorate the institution year and Druthop Singe Yeshe. There are three ancient monasteries in Shey. They are Shelri Sumdho Monastery, Shelri Tsakhang Monastery, and Gomoche Monastery.

1. “The Shey Festival is scheduled to take place from September 1st to September 4th. On the first day of the festival, the opening ceremony of the 67th Shey Festival will commence in the presence of Chief Guest Rt. Honorable Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal-Prachanda, along with special guests and other dignitaries. The opening ceremony will feature various rituals and cultural events.”
2. On the second day of the ceremony, everyone will wake up early in the morning and go for circumambulation of the Shelri Drugdra. His Holiness Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche will perform Phowa (Transference of Consciousness).
3. His Eminence Kyapje Menri Ponlop Rinpoche and His Eminence Kyabje Gyangkhang Khentul Rinpoche lead the ritual events, teachings, and sermons. In the afternoon, cultural and religious events will take place, with Amchi and doctors conducting medical camps. Additionally, there will be horse races, archery, and other activities to make the event more colorful.
4. The three Rinpoche will bestow longevity empowerment to all attendees and devotees. In the afternoon, there will be cultural shows featuring mask dances, performances from schools, and traditional dances. Finally, the event will conclude thereafter.

This year, the Shey Festival Organizing Committee is preparing for a wonderful festival in Shey, Saldang. Many people from various countries are planning to join Shey for the festivities, and both distinguished guests and local community members are eagerly looking forward to it. On top of all these constraints, the trek gives full satisfaction and can be one of the greatest adventures in a lifetime. This is only the trek in Nepal that gives you the real experience and realization of the real old Tibetan culture and tradition.