A huge Thangka is exhibited at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
LHASA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Celebrations for the traditional Shoton Festival have begun in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
Lamas and believers pray before the huge Tangka at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
The Shoton Festival, also known as the Yogurt Banquet Festival, is a week-long extravaganza that has been held since the 11th century. It was originally a religious occasion when locals would offer yogurt to monks who had finished meditation retreats.
Lamas and believers pray before the huge Tangka at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
This year's event will feature Tibetan opera performances, hiking, Buddha exhibitions, paintings and photos, according to Wu Yasong, Lhasa's deputy mayor.
Lamas and believers gather before the huge Tangka at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
Tsamjo, an 87-year-old Lhasa resident, attended the Buddha exhibition at the Drepung Monastery early Thursday morning.
"I got up at 3 a.m. to participate in the event," Tsamjo said.
Lamas carry the huge Tangka out of a hall for exhibition at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
Lamas and believers carry the huge Tangka to the exhibition platform at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
Believers help carry the huge Tangka for exhibition at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
At 7:30 a.m., more than 100 monks and buddhists took a giant thangka painting out of the monastery and put it on a platform for both visitors and believers.
Lamas prepare the huge Tangka for exhibition at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
"I come to worship the Buddha painting at the Drepung Monastery every year," said Ngawang, a Lhasa resident.
"For us believers, the Shoton Festival means a lot."
A Lama takes photo of the crowd before the huge Tangka for exhibition at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa on Sept. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Jigme Doje)
Last year, more than 200,000 Buddhists and people of other faiths came to Lhasa for the festival.
