Happy 2140, the year of the snake! Although Losar, such as Chinese New Year is usually a time for the holidays, things for the Tibetans are a little different this year. For the fifth consecutive year, Lobsang Sangay, the Tibetan prime minister in exile has called on Tibetans to tone down the celebrations for the New Year, in memory of those who have self-immolated in the past year (up to 99) in protest against the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
"No one feels like dancing and singing more," said Kunga Tashi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas. Instead of parties and banquets, which is attractive for Tibetans to mark the passing of the year with silence, lit candles and burning incense in memory of those who lost their lives in protest.
Lha Gyal Lo. Bhod Gyal Lo. May all beings be happy and well, to celebrate Tibetan New Year.
Here are some scenes from a past Losar Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province.
Losar is one of the most important religious festival of Buddhists. The word Losar literally means 'New Year'. It is characterized by dancing, singing and feasting. Losar is of great importance in the calendar of Buddhist festival, the Tibetan New Year is celebrated.
History Losar
The origin of the festival of Losar can be dialed even before the start of the Buddhist religion in Tibet. During the pre-Buddhist Bon Tibetans followed the religion. A religious festival "Bon" was celebrated as a spiritual practice in the winter season. On this special occasion lots of incense was burnt to please the local deities, spirits and protectors. With the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet, ceremony merged with the Bon Buddhist tradition and was renamed the Buddhist Losar festival. During the reign of the ninth King of Tibet, I could Gungyal this religious custom was celebrated as the Buddhist festive occasion.
Legendary Story of Losar celebrations in Ladakh
A legendary tale associated with the celebrations of the festival of Losar. In the 17th century, a tradition was established by King Jamyang Namgyal when he ruled the region. He wanted to establish an expedition against the forces of Balti, but its advisory board suggested do no sin to the new year. So to appease public opinion changed the date of the celebrations two months before the actual date. Therefore Ladakh is now celebrated the New Year on the 1st day of the eleventh lunar month.
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Losar celebrations
The great charm of Losar festival steals the heart of every visitor. It is a kaleidoscope of rich and vibrant culture of Ladakh. People celebrate the festival with great pomp and grandeur. The festive fervor begins with a month in advance and people make a lot of preparations for the festival. Losar has several rituals and customs that are performed by the Buddhists during the celebrations.
Click for travel info / tour inquiry
Preparation of Losar Celebrations
Losar Festival is synonymous with dance, music and revelry. People are filled with joy and excitement at the arrival of Losar. Local people clean their houses and starts to paint. After decorating their homes with beautiful decorative items to create a happy atmosphere. Every home and sacred shrine illuminated with colored lights on the same night. Images of Ibex are hung on doors and walls of the kitchen for good luck and prosperous life. Ibex is considered as a symbol of fertility.
Procession During Losar
On the auspicious occasion of Losar, a huge procession, "Methi" is organized by the afternoon. The streets and bazaars of Ladakh proves to be lively as people walk through the streets carrying torches and enchanting slogans. The procession ends with torches pull out of the city to bid farewell to the old year and welcome wholeheartedly the new year.
visit Monasteries
Ladakhi people wear new clothes with bright colors and visit the holy shrines, stupas and monasteries to seek the Lord's blessing. They offer prayers and follows the tradition of "Lama Losar" in which gifts are given to the nuns and monks of the monastery. On this special occasion, people also exchange greetings saying 'Tahsi Delek'.
"No one feels like dancing and singing more," said Kunga Tashi, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas. Instead of parties and banquets, which is attractive for Tibetans to mark the passing of the year with silence, lit candles and burning incense in memory of those who lost their lives in protest.
Lha Gyal Lo. Bhod Gyal Lo. May all beings be happy and well, to celebrate Tibetan New Year.
Here are some scenes from a past Losar Labrang Monastery, Xiahe, Gansu Province.
Losar is one of the most important religious festival of Buddhists. The word Losar literally means 'New Year'. It is characterized by dancing, singing and feasting. Losar is of great importance in the calendar of Buddhist festival, the Tibetan New Year is celebrated.
History Losar
The origin of the festival of Losar can be dialed even before the start of the Buddhist religion in Tibet. During the pre-Buddhist Bon Tibetans followed the religion. A religious festival "Bon" was celebrated as a spiritual practice in the winter season. On this special occasion lots of incense was burnt to please the local deities, spirits and protectors. With the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet, ceremony merged with the Bon Buddhist tradition and was renamed the Buddhist Losar festival. During the reign of the ninth King of Tibet, I could Gungyal this religious custom was celebrated as the Buddhist festive occasion.
Legendary Story of Losar celebrations in Ladakh
A legendary tale associated with the celebrations of the festival of Losar. In the 17th century, a tradition was established by King Jamyang Namgyal when he ruled the region. He wanted to establish an expedition against the forces of Balti, but its advisory board suggested do no sin to the new year. So to appease public opinion changed the date of the celebrations two months before the actual date. Therefore Ladakh is now celebrated the New Year on the 1st day of the eleventh lunar month.
Booking Information / Reservation
Losar celebrations
The great charm of Losar festival steals the heart of every visitor. It is a kaleidoscope of rich and vibrant culture of Ladakh. People celebrate the festival with great pomp and grandeur. The festive fervor begins with a month in advance and people make a lot of preparations for the festival. Losar has several rituals and customs that are performed by the Buddhists during the celebrations.
Click for travel info / tour inquiry
Preparation of Losar Celebrations
Losar Festival is synonymous with dance, music and revelry. People are filled with joy and excitement at the arrival of Losar. Local people clean their houses and starts to paint. After decorating their homes with beautiful decorative items to create a happy atmosphere. Every home and sacred shrine illuminated with colored lights on the same night. Images of Ibex are hung on doors and walls of the kitchen for good luck and prosperous life. Ibex is considered as a symbol of fertility.
Procession During Losar
On the auspicious occasion of Losar, a huge procession, "Methi" is organized by the afternoon. The streets and bazaars of Ladakh proves to be lively as people walk through the streets carrying torches and enchanting slogans. The procession ends with torches pull out of the city to bid farewell to the old year and welcome wholeheartedly the new year.
visit Monasteries
Ladakhi people wear new clothes with bright colors and visit the holy shrines, stupas and monasteries to seek the Lord's blessing. They offer prayers and follows the tradition of "Lama Losar" in which gifts are given to the nuns and monks of the monastery. On this special occasion, people also exchange greetings saying 'Tahsi Delek'.
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