Wednesday, 5 November 2014

About Tibet Festival

Tibet is the original home of Tibetans and the current population is mainly composed of ethnic Tibetans along with other cultural communities Menpa, Han, Chinese, Sherpa, and Luopa Dengs. Tibet has had a tumultuous past, see-sawing between independence and forced rule. The Chinese took control in 1950 after the 14th Dalai Lama fled the country and today is ruled Tibet as an autonomous region of China. The Central Tibetan Administration in exile of the Dalai Lama, who lives in Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) India accuses China of Tibet with the bombing of migrants with the ulterior motive to alter the demographic composition. A new rail line in China and increased efforts to modernize China is leading to a rising tide of Chinese tourists - nicknamed the 'second invasion' by many. The Chinese government estimates that the population of Tibet is around 3 million in 2011, of which 90% were declared native Tibetans. No one really knows the truth though.

The climate and harsh living rough mountain take a toll on the locals. But the smiles on their faces radiant sun burnt ruddy show no evidence of their laborious lives. Spiritualism innate land juxtaposed with stoic resilience of the people makes it an intriguing delight for travelers.

gastronomy
gastronomy

Tibetan food shows a strong influence of Indian and Chinese methods of cooking. The food in Tibet is the only quintessential mountain fare.

The most important foods in Tibet is barley, meat and dairy products. Being a high mountainous region with low rainfall, vegetation is sparse, so you will not see a lot of vegetables on your plate. Tsampa, is the staple food of Tibetans, made of barley flour dough and rolled into noodles or made into dumplings called momos steamed. Dairy products are another ubiquitous elements in a Tibetan table. Yak butter is a favorite among Tibetans, which is separated from yak milk whisking vigorously. It is considered highly nutritious and deliciously smooth. Yak yoghurt and cheese are also commonly had.

Vegetarian food is not an important part of Tibetan cuisine. Yak, goat and beef are common meat that are cut into strips and hung in the winter air drying. The dried meat is crisp and eaten raw as it is said that the winter cold to kill all bacteria. Blood sausage, meat sausage and liver sausage are also consumed regularly by many Tibetans.

Salted butter tea in Tibet is the perfect accompaniment to Tsampa. It is made by boiling tea break in a long cylinder along with salt and yak butter. Tibetan barley beer, called Chang in local parlance, is smooth and slightly sweet.

Festivals
Festivals

It's worth planning your trip so that you get to participate in a Tibetan festival. The Tibetan New Year is celebrated with the Losar festival in February or March. It is the most widely celebrated festival in the country. Lhasa is the place to be to witness the splendor of the event, whether it's the streets and brightly colored houses or ritual offerings to the deities. Losar is followed by the Great Prayer Festival, or Monlam, celebrated through dance, sports and picnics. The last day of this festival is celebrated as a festival Butter Oil Lantern. Saga Dawa, usually held in June, is marked by burning incense sticks and picnics.

A horse racing festival takes place in July, commemorating the popular sports in Tibet. Yalong Cultural Festival is showcasing a vibrant Tibetan culture and usually takes place in July. The Shalon festival held in August and September is an important occasion. The matter of several days culminating in the serving of yogurt accompanied with music and dancing. In September, the harvest festival is celebrated in Lhasa with joy.

history
history

The word 'Tibet' is heard and immediately think "politics" and "revolution." Tibet has had a long and eventful past, being both independent and occupied at various points in its history. Part of China for many years, however, with a clearly distinctive culture, Tibet has a unique character.

From the sixth century when Buddhism was first introduced to the 16th century, many dynasties ruled the region, including Phagmodrupa and Yuan dynasties. The first European to set foot in Tibet were Portuguese missionaries in 1624 they were allowed to build a church and to introduce Christianity. After the collapse of the Qing dynasty in 1912, the Qing soldiers were disarmed and escorted out of Tibet. The region declared independence in 1913. However, in 1950 the Chinese communist troops invaded Tibet and the current government surrendered. Tibet was incorporated into the People's Republic of China and the previous Tibetan government was abolished in 1959. The Dalai Lama fled to India and then establish the headquarters of a government in exile in Himachal Pradesh, while the UN deplored the abolition of human rights in Tibet. Today, Tibetans still demonstrate their protest against the Chinese government. Political status of Tibet is under discussion and dissident groups are active in exile.

climate
climate

climate

Buddhist Tibetan Plateau is the highest region in the world with an average altitude of 4,900 m, hence the nickname "roof of the world". The country generally experiences warm, strong weather with snowfall and rains occasionally.

Summer lasts from May to September, with warm days and cool nights. The higher altitude regions, especially northern and western Tibet, yet can witness cold days. As the air at this altitude can make light of the blazing sun in the peak months, early summer is the best time to visit Tibet.

The summer season is greeted by monsoon rains sometime in mid-July. Eastern Tibet is more affected by rainfall than elsewhere, and receives most of its moisture in July and August. Travel during this time hampered by landslides and roads got. Low temperature slightly, beckoning fall, another good time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Tibet. Snowfall can call unexpectedly at the door.

Winters (November to March) are bitingly cold in Tibet, especially in January, though curiously not snow as much as expected, due to a rain shadow effect. April and May are awarded with a delightful climate and clear skies, making this period the best time to see Mount Everest in all its glory.

geography
geography

geography

Tibet is located east of the Himalayas on the Tibetan Plateau, the highest region in the world. The country is located west of the central plain of China, and mainland China. The topography is a mosaic of some of the highest mountains, vast valleys, deep and long canyons, rivers and pristine lakes mammoth high attitude. Due to the cold temperatures and limited rainfall, vast tracts of arid land vegetation are weak, leading to subsistence agriculture.

The highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, is located on the border of Nepal with Tibet. Called the "Water Tower of Asia", Tibet is home to some of the major rivers and numerous high-altitude lakes. The rivers Indus and the Brahmaputra to find the source of a lake near Mount Kailash, a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and Tibetans, as it is considered as the abode of Hindu Lord Shiva. The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, is one of the deepest and longest canyons in the world.

One of the most famous lakes in Tibet is Lake Mansarovar, an expanse of bright blue freshwater located in proximity to Mount Kailash. A lake of fable, Buddhists and Hindus believe that the water can purge people of their sins and heal all diseases. The lake is an important pilgrimage site today, and usually combined with a religious visit to Mount Kailash. The crystal clear waters reflect the chilly Tibetan Himalaya snowfall in the background - this lake is really fantastic.

religion
religion

religion

Religion has been the mainstay and defining aspects of Tibetan life for centuries and has fundamentally shaped the Tibetan identity. Tibetan Buddhism has been the key religion in Tibet since the eighth century. However, all but eight of the 6,000 monasteries and nunneries in Tibet were looted and destroyed by Chinese communists during the "Cultural Revolution" of the 1960s to the 1970 Religious Artifacts and scripts were burned, and monks and religious leaders were imprisoned. Today, efforts have revitalized Tibetan partly major monasteries, although many remain in ruins. Religious freedom is limited, but the voluntary nature of the Tibetans remains indomitable.

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists is the fourteenth Dalai Lama, who is currently in exile in India. Despite this, he has great influence not only Buddhists, but customers peace worldwide.

Tibet is home to some small communities of Muslims, who trace their lineage to Kashmir, Ladakh and the countries of Central Asia Turkish. Most of them can be found in the capital Lhasa and Shigatse. Christianity has its roots in the sixth century in Tibet and now a small population remains faith, especially in the traditionally Catholic community of Yanjing.

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