The festival was founded on the 25th day of the tenth month in Tibetan calendar in memory of the parinirvana of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

On the festival, people of Lhasa and lamas of Drepung Monastery, Gandan monastery and Sera Monastery will chant sutras for Tsongkhapa and make pilgrimages at Barkhor Street. During the night, households will light butter lamps and eat doughballs to memorize Tsongkhapa.