Tibetan Festivals

Tibetan New Year : The greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times, when the peach trees were in blossom, it was considered the start of a new year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 AD, the first day of the first month became fixed as the New Year. On the New Year's day, families unite, an "auspicious dipper" is offered, and the auspicious words "tashi delek" are greeted.

Great Prayer Festival : The greatest religious festival in Tibet. Instituted by Tsongkapa in 1409, the founder of the Gelukpa Sect. Monks from the Three Great Monasteries of Tibet assemble in Jorkhang for pray to Shakyamuni's image as if it were the living Buddha. Philosophical debates are held among candidates for the Doctorate of Metaphysics. Pilgrims come from every corner of Tibet and donations are offered to monks.

Butter Lamp Festival : The last day of the Great Prayer Festival. In order to celebrate Shakyamuni's victory over non-Buddhist opponents, the Lord of Neu Dzong, a noted patron of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter-lamps in 1409. The festival flourished since.

Gyantse Horse Race and Archery : 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 races, archery, and shooting on galloping horse-back followed by a few days' entertainment or picnicking. Presently, ball games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, and barter trade are additions to the above.

Saga Dawa : Gods in heaven are believed to descend to the mortal world on this day. Incense is burnt in large scales and picnicking is done in public parks.

Six-Four Festival : Believed the day Buddha gave his first sermon. People celebrate the festival by paying visits to holy mountains.

Shoton Festival See : The Opera Festival and the greatest of festivals in Tibet. In ancient times, pious folks went into mountain hermitages to do penance. The last day, yogurt was served as meal followed by folk song and dance entertainment. Since the 7th century, opera performances were held for days in Norbulingka. Presently, opera contests and distribution of prizes are held for seven days.

Bathing Week : Believed when the sacred planet Venus appears in the sky. The water in the river becomes purest and can cure diseases. During its appearance for one week in the sky, all townspeople in Lhasa go into the river for bathing.

Death of Tsongkapa : Tsongkapa, the great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Gelugpa Sect, died on this day in 1419. In memory of that day, every household burns countless butter-lamps on roof-tops and chant prayers in his honor. Late in the evening Tibetan dumplings are served for supper.

Driving Off Evil Spirits : At the eve of Tibetan New Year, 29th of the twelfth month, religious dances are performed in monasteries for driving off of evil spirits of the past year. At night, in every household, traditional means of driving off evil spirits are carried out by burning bundles of straw and throwing rubbish in the crossroads. The Year-End Dumpling is served for supper.

Festival Year 2009 Year 2010 Year 2011 Year 2012 Tibetan New Year 25 Feb 14 Feb 05 Mar 22 Feb Monlam Prayer Festival 28 Feb 17 Feb 08 Mar 25 Feb Butter Lamp 11 Feb 28 Feb 19 Mar 08 Mar Saga Dawa 07 Jun 27 May 15 Jun 04 Jun Gyantse Horse Race 20 Jul 20 Jul 20 Jul 20 Jul Thangka unveling Tashilunpo 07 Jul 26 Jun 15 Jul 03 Jul Zamling Chisang/Samye Dolde 07 Jul 26 Jun 15 Jul 03 Jul Choekor Duechen/Tukbe Tseshi 25 Jul 15 Jul 03 Aug 23 Jul Ganden Thangka Uneling 05 Aug 25 Jul 13 Aug 02 Aug Shoton Festival 20 Aug 10 Aug 29 Aug 17 Aug Labrang Festival 27 Aug 17 Aug 07 Aug 25 Aug Karma Dunba (shower festival) 06 Sep 26 Aug 14 Sep 02 Sep Nakchu Horse Race 10 Aug 10 Aug 10 Aug 10 Aug Yushu Horse Race 25 Jul 25 Jul 25 Jul 25 Jul Litang Horse Race 01 Aug 01 Aug 01 Aug 01 Aug Lhabab Duechen 09 Nov 29 Oct 17 Nov 06 Nov Palden Lhamo Festival 02 Dec 21 Nov 10 Dec 28 Nov Ganden Nga-Choe 11 Dec 01 Dec 20 Dec 8 Dec