The Festival of Miracles, known in Tibetan as Chotrul Duchen, was celebrated in the central
khurul (monastery) of Kalmykia, the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha, on 27 February. Chotrul Duchen is one of the four major Buddhist festivals observed in this Russian republic. It takes place during the full moon of the first month in the Tibetan calendar and commemorates the miracles that Shakyamuni Buddha displayed to increase the devotion of his disciples.
The first 15 days of the first month in the Tibetan calendar are related with the miraculous acts performed by Shakyamuni in the Indian city of Shravasti during a dispute with the preachers of six false teachings. During these auspicious days, the Great Prayer Festival (Tib. Monlam Chenmo, Kalm. Ик Йөрәл) is performed at Buddhist temples in Tibet, India, Mongolia, and the Buddhist republics of Russia. This tradition was established in 1409 by Lama Tsongkhapa in honor of the significant victory of Shakyamuni. This year, the
Some Tibetans doubt authorities reasons for the ban on attendance at area monasteries, which promote not just religion but Tibetan cultural traditions.