Chotrul Duchen, also known as the Butter Lamp Festival, is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Sherpa traditions. It takes place on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar during the full moon.

The first fifteen days of the year celebrate the fifteen days during which the Buddha displayed miracles for his disciples so as to increase their devotion. These miracles were performed by the Buddha to correct the errors of six prideful teachers.

During Chotrul Duchen, it is believed that the effects of both positive and negative actions are multiplied ten million times. To commemorate the occasion, sherpas make lamps, traditionally of yak butter, called butter lamps, in the shapes of flowers, trees, birds, and other auspicious symbols. They also create elaborate displays for the lamps in their homes and in public spaces.

All the lanterns are lit in celebration on the fifteenth day of the month. For most Buddhists, it’s certainly considered auspicious to offer a light offering to Shakyamuni Buddha on this Holy Day.

So, Chotrul Duchen is not just a celebration of Buddha’s miracles, but also a day of increased spiritual practice and merit-making. It’s a day when Buddhists focus on giving and benefiting others, which in turn is believed to increase their own happiness.