 New Year Festival (Losar) : It is the greatest festival
in Tibet. In ancient times when the peach tree was in
blossom, it was considered as the starting of a new
year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar
in 1027 A.D., The first day of the first month became
fixed as the New Year. On the new year's the families
unite “auspicious dinner" is offered and the auspicious
words " tashi delek" are greeted. It is the most
colorful festival of Lhasa. Monlam (great prayer
festival of Lhasa)
Known also as the great prayer festival, this is held
midway through the first lunar month. An image of
maitreya from the jokhang is borne around the barkhor,
attracting enthusiastic crowds of locals and pilgrims.
Saga dawa festival (May or June) : It is the holiest in
Tibet, there memorable occasions coincide on this day,
buddha's birth and buddha's enlightenment. Almost every
person within Lhasa join in circumambulations round the
city and spend their 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 in Tibet, and gyantse
enjoys 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
the greatest festivals in Tibet. In ancient times pious
folks went into mountain hermitages of which yoghurt was
served for meal followed by entertainment of folk songs
and dances. Since 7th century, opera performances were
held for days in norbu lingka. Presently, opera contests
and distribution of prizes are held for seven days.
Harvest festival (September) : The farmers in Lhasa,
gyantse and shangnan to celebrating their bumeer harvest
in this time. During that time, people enjoy with horse
racing games, costume fashion show, songs and dance
archery and picnic etc.
Bathing week : It is believed when the sacred planet
Venus appears in the sky, the water in the river becomes
purest and cure diseases. During its appearance for one
week in the sky, all the people in Tibet go into the
river for bathing.
Changtang chachen horse race festival (10 august) : As
the most important festival in north Tibet during the
golden season on the grassland, thousand of herdsmen
throng to nakchu riding fine horses, and carrying the
local products. They form as city of tens south of
nakchu town. There will be thrilling horse race, archery
and demonstrations of horsemanship. Songs and dance
troupes from all part of Tibet will add to the fun.
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. |
