SanātanaYoga’s Simon Meier attended the Gutor festival held at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in March. The festival is a spiritual, monastic ritual featuring a masked dance that is performed to clear away obstacles and benefit all sentient beings. Explore Gutor through Meier’s photos.

The Former Abbot of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Khensur Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

The Abbot of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, H. E. Zeekgyab Rinpoche (the 5th Zeekgyab Tulku of Tehor, Tenzin Thupten Rabyal) blesses guests at the Gutor festival. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

Dancers at the Gutor festival. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

Masked dancers performing at the festival.

Masked dancers performing at the festival.

Monks play traditional Tibetan music for masked performers. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

Monks descend the stairs of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery to prepare for the masked dance. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

Traditional Tibetan drums are played for the masked performers. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

Monks playing cymbals for the masked performers. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

A Tibetan chanting scroll at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastic Library. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

Little blossoming Buddha. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.

Tibetans from Bylakuppe attend the Gutor festival every year. Bylakuppe, Karnataka

Monks serve chai to all the guests. Bylakuppe, Karnataka.