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.
| LIST
OF FESTIVALS |
DATES
IN TIBETAN CALENDAR |
YEAR
2007 |
YEAR
2008 |
| TIBETAN NEW YEAR (LOSAR)
|
1-3 of the 1st Lunar
month |
Feb
18 |
Feb
7 |
| MONLAM PRAYER FESTIVAL
|
4-11 of the 1st lunar
month |
Feb
22 - Mar 1 |
|
| BUTTER LAMP/ CHOE-NGA
CHOEPA |
15th of the 1st Lunar
month |
Mar
4 |
Mar
26 |
| SAGA DAWA |
15th of the 4th Lunar
month |
May
31 |
June
18 |
| GYANTSE HORSE RACE |
14-18th of 4th Lunar
month |
May
30 - June 3 |
|
| THANKA UNVEILING AT
TASHILHUNPO |
15th of the 5th Lunar
month |
June
30 |
|
| ZAMLING CHISANG /SAMYA
DOLDE |
15th of the 5th Lunar
month |
June
30 |
|
| CHOEKOR DUECHEN |
4th of the 6th Lunar
month |
July
18 |
Aug
5 |
| SHOTON FESTIVAL |
30th of the 6th Lunar
month |
Aug
12 - Aug 18 |
Aug
30 – Sep 5 |
| NAGCHU HORSE RACE |
- |
Aug
10-16 |
Aug
10-16 |
| LHABAB DHECHEN |
22nd of the 9th Lunar
month |
Nov
3 |
Nov
3 |
| PALDEN LHAMO FESTIVAL
|
15th of the 10th Lunar
month |
Nov
26 |
|
| GADEN NGA-CHOE |
25th of the 10th Lunar
month |
Dec
7 |
|
| GADEN THANKA UNVEILING
|
15th of 6th Lunar month
|
July
30 |
|
| LITHANG HORSE RACE |
|
Aug
1 - Aug 3 |
Aug
1 - Aug 3 |
| JE KUNDO HORSE RACE
YESHU) |
|
July
25 - July 28 |
July
25 - July 28 |
| TIJI FESTIVAL MUSTANG
(PALACE) |
25-29th the 3rd Lunar
month |
May
12-16 |
|
| TIJI FESTIVAL MUSTANG
(MONASTERY) |
5-9th of the 5th Lunar
month |
June
19 - June 24 |
June
19 - June 24 |
|
