Tibetan Festivals:
New
Year Festival (Losar):
‘Losar’ is known to be the greatest festival in Tibet. In
ancient times the blossoming of peach trees was
considered as the starting of Chinese New Year. Since
the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027
A.D., The first day of the first month was fixed as the
New Year. In the celebration of this festival family
unite for a special dinner, greeting each other with a
sacred and auspicious word “tashi delek". It is supposed
to be the most colorful festival of Lhasa and is also
called as ‘Monlam’ (great prayer festival of Lhasa).
This festival is held midway through the first lunar
month. An image of Maitreya from the Jokhang is borne
around the area of barkhor, attracting enthusiastic
crowds of locals and pilgrims.
Saga Dawa festival (May or June):
This festival is considered to be the holiest and most
sacred in Tibet due to the miraculous coincident of the
occurring of Buddha’s Birthday and Buddha’s
Enlightenment Day falling the same day. Almost every
person within Lhasa joins in circumambulation round the
city and enjoy late afternoon on picnic at "Dzongyab
Lukahng" park at the foot of Potala.
Gyantse horse race & archery (May or June):
Horse race and archery are generally popular sports in
Tibet, and Gyantse enjoys the prestige of being the
earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests in
early times included horse race, archery, and shooting
on gallop followed by a few days' entertainment or
picnicking. Presently ball games, track and field
events, folk songs and dances, barter trade are in
addition to the above.
Shoton festival (August):
It is the opera festival and known to be one of the most
popular festivals of Tibet. In ancient times pious folks
went into mountain hermitages where yoghurt was served
for meal followed by entertainment of folk songs and
dances. Since 7th century, opera performances were held
for several days in Norbu Lingka. Presently, opera
contests and distribution of prizes are held for seven
days.
Harvest festival (September):
Harvest Festival, or Ongkor in Tibetan, often follows the
Shoton Festival. It is a festival mainly celebrated in
rural areas to pray for a good harvest. On this day,
farmers put on their best clothes, carry harvest pagodas
made from the ears of highland barley and wheat and
circle around their fields beating drums, chanting holy
songs and dancing. Later they gather, drinking Chang and
yak butter tea. In some areas, there are other
activities as well, such as horse races, archery
competitions and performances of Tibetan Opera. After
the Harvest Festival, farmers will be busy harvesting
their crops.
Bathing week:
The
Bathing Festival lasts for one week in the early part of
the 7th month. It is believed when the sacred planet
Venus appears in the sky, the water in the river convert
into and pure healing water good for cure of. Legend has
it that pestilence was wide spread, leading to great
suffering of the people. The Avalokitesvara, one of the
Buddhist deities, poured holy water into the rivers of
Tibet. After bathing in the rivers, people recovered
miraculously from their illnesses. Ever since, at this
time every year, people bathe themselves in rivers. This
custom has been handed down from generation to
generation and gradually developed into a festival. It
is believed that river baths during this week will not
only clean the body, but also wash away potential
diseases.
Changtang Chachen horse race festival (10th august):
It is the most important festival of northern Tibet and
occurs during the golden season on the grassland with
yellow flowers, thousands of herdsmen throng to Nakchu
riding fine horses, and carrying local products for
trade. They form into a city of tents in south of Nakchu
town. There are then held thrilling horse races, archery
contests and demonstrations of horsemanship. Songs and
dance troupes from all part of Tibet add the fun to this
event.
Ganden festival:
On the 15th day of the 6th Tibetan month, 25 precious
articles belonging to Ganden monastery, which are
normally locked in their treasure house, are displayed
in the main shrine hall. A grand offering ceremony
accompanies the display. These articles consist of the
images of the sixteen arhats, akshobhya, the secret
assembly, the four great kings, the Upasaka and Hashang
image.
The
Butter Lamp Festival:The butter lamp festival which falls on Oct 25th of the
Tibetan Calendar is another important religious festival
for Tibetans. It is celebrated to commemorate the death
of Tsong Khapa, the founder of Gelugpa of Tibetan
Buddhism. During that day lamas would burn numerous yak
butter lamps and a bowl of pure water in the temples and
their houses, which brighten much the shrines. The
religious people would circumambulate and burn aromatic
branches or incenses to worship the Buddha.
In addition to the festivals
above, there are many other festivals that are
celebrated regionally, click Shigatse Festivals, Chamdo
Festivals, Nakchu Festivals, Ngari Festivals, and
Nyingchi Festivals for more information on festivals in
these regions. |
