Mani Rimdu is the most important festival of the Sherpa people. It is held during the tenth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to October-November of the Gregorian calendar. It falls on the autumn season when large groups of tourists visit the Khumbu region to trek to Everest Base Camp and to witness the festival which lasts for nineteen days. The religious festivities involve ceremonies and meditation (Drupchen). The meaning attributed to Mani Rimdu is that ‘Mani' means part of the chant of Chenrezig and ‘Rilbu' or ‘Rimdu' means small red pills that are blessed during the festival. The red pills are blessed repeatedly and then distributed to all those who attend.