The name Shoton is abbreviated from two local words-Xue and dun. Xue means yoghurt and "dun" means the feast. In the ancient time, the monks and lamas who returned from a long retreat were offered yoghurt and this is how the festival began. Now, the festival is has grown much more bigger than yoghurt offering. Now the festival begins with display of a giant Buddha Thangka displaying in Drepung monastery, followed by Tibetan operas, folklore dancing and picnicking in Norbulingkha gardens and Potala Palace. The opera that lasts all day with clashing cymbals, bells and drums, sharp recitatives with melodious choruses and people dressed in beautiful girl dancers with long silk sleeves.
The festival begins on the 30th day of the 6th lunar month and lasts for a week
Festival dates:
2018:11-16 Aug
2019: 30 Aug-04 Sep
2020: 19-24 Aug