Without a shadow of doubt, Losar is the most awaited festival for all old-young Tibetans, monks and nuns and laity alike; like the joy of Christmas celebrations in the West. If you are able to make your Tibet travel during this time, you are sure to witness one of the most spectacular authentic Tibetan culture and life views. You will not believe your luck!
Tibetan Losar world literally means "New Year". It is the greatest festival in Tibet involving all forms of activities ranging from cultural and religious merriments large. Traditionally, the great festival lasts for 15 days from the first to the 15th of the first month of the Tibetan calendar. The Tibetan New Year 2014 begins from March 2 of the Western calendar.
The first day of Losar is called Lama Losar. Traditionally, Tibetan Buddhists begin the New Year greeting and honoring their respective Gurus, or teachers of Dharma in the first day of Losar. Guru and disciple greeting wishing peace and prosperity in the New Year. On this day make short visits to lay people to offer greetings and best wishes for the New Year. Changkol enjoy a traditional hot drink made from Chang, Tibetan beer. People also pay a visit to the temples and monasteries in the city on the first day to seek blessings for the new year.
The second day of Losar is called Gyalpo Losar Losar which means "King". Historically this is the day to pay tribute to the kings and leaders of society. During ancient times, Tibetan kings used to exchange greetings with ministers and their people. Later, when the Dalai Lama became the ruler of Tibet, are used to exchange greetings with government officials and foreign dignitaries.
The third day of Losar Losar is called Choekyong. On this day, lay Tibetans do special to different deities and protectors of the dharma offerings. There are activities like prayer flags lift hills, mountains and rooftops and leaves burn juniper incense and offering prayers besides.
Formal spiritual observance of Losar lasts for the first three days, however, the festivities continue until Chonga Choepa The Butter Lamp Festival on the 15th day of Losar. On this last day of the celebration, there will be monks perform rituals of purification before making massive yak butter sculptures to be displayed in the monasteries, which is like a large exhibition of religious art.
Losar is a great festival celebrations both spiritually and for laymen who have exotic enjoyment 4 to day 14 of Losar, which will host games or visiting with family and friends. Traditionally, Tibetan Chang beer used to be a popular drink on this occasion, but the appearance of the beer and liquor have gradually eclipsed.
Today it has become almost Losar festival worldwide with sizeable Tibetan communities worldwide, especially in India and Nepal, as well as in America and Europe. And the celebration of Losar is also carried out in many of the non-Tibetan communities where there is influence of Tibetan Buddhism, such as Bhutan and several northeastern states of India.
According to some history books, celebrating Losar earlier Buddhism in Tibet and dates back to as early as the beginning of the Bon period. During this period of the Bon tradition, a spiritual ceremony is held each winter in which people perform various offerings and incense to appease the local deities and spirits. It is believed that this religious festival gradually became an annual Buddhist festival with appropriate links to the Tibetan calendar.
Despite the limited materialistic progress, Tibetans are historically well known throughout the world as one of the happiest people. And the Tibetans crack joke saying that they have a record on earth to have the longest celebration of the New Year with 15 consecutive days, with some people going to the extent of 30 days! So it is really a scene Tibet appreciate if you can travel during this time.
Tibetan Losar world literally means "New Year". It is the greatest festival in Tibet involving all forms of activities ranging from cultural and religious merriments large. Traditionally, the great festival lasts for 15 days from the first to the 15th of the first month of the Tibetan calendar. The Tibetan New Year 2014 begins from March 2 of the Western calendar.
The first day of Losar is called Lama Losar. Traditionally, Tibetan Buddhists begin the New Year greeting and honoring their respective Gurus, or teachers of Dharma in the first day of Losar. Guru and disciple greeting wishing peace and prosperity in the New Year. On this day make short visits to lay people to offer greetings and best wishes for the New Year. Changkol enjoy a traditional hot drink made from Chang, Tibetan beer. People also pay a visit to the temples and monasteries in the city on the first day to seek blessings for the new year.
The second day of Losar is called Gyalpo Losar Losar which means "King". Historically this is the day to pay tribute to the kings and leaders of society. During ancient times, Tibetan kings used to exchange greetings with ministers and their people. Later, when the Dalai Lama became the ruler of Tibet, are used to exchange greetings with government officials and foreign dignitaries.
The third day of Losar Losar is called Choekyong. On this day, lay Tibetans do special to different deities and protectors of the dharma offerings. There are activities like prayer flags lift hills, mountains and rooftops and leaves burn juniper incense and offering prayers besides.
Formal spiritual observance of Losar lasts for the first three days, however, the festivities continue until Chonga Choepa The Butter Lamp Festival on the 15th day of Losar. On this last day of the celebration, there will be monks perform rituals of purification before making massive yak butter sculptures to be displayed in the monasteries, which is like a large exhibition of religious art.
Losar is a great festival celebrations both spiritually and for laymen who have exotic enjoyment 4 to day 14 of Losar, which will host games or visiting with family and friends. Traditionally, Tibetan Chang beer used to be a popular drink on this occasion, but the appearance of the beer and liquor have gradually eclipsed.
Today it has become almost Losar festival worldwide with sizeable Tibetan communities worldwide, especially in India and Nepal, as well as in America and Europe. And the celebration of Losar is also carried out in many of the non-Tibetan communities where there is influence of Tibetan Buddhism, such as Bhutan and several northeastern states of India.
According to some history books, celebrating Losar earlier Buddhism in Tibet and dates back to as early as the beginning of the Bon period. During this period of the Bon tradition, a spiritual ceremony is held each winter in which people perform various offerings and incense to appease the local deities and spirits. It is believed that this religious festival gradually became an annual Buddhist festival with appropriate links to the Tibetan calendar.
Despite the limited materialistic progress, Tibetans are historically well known throughout the world as one of the happiest people. And the Tibetans crack joke saying that they have a record on earth to have the longest celebration of the New Year with 15 consecutive days, with some people going to the extent of 30 days! So it is really a scene Tibet appreciate if you can travel during this time.
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