The Tibetan New Year festival 'Losar' is going to be observed from February 12 to 14 this year. The festivities begin on the first day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar.
Tibetan Buddhists prepare for Losar by cleaning their homes; decorating with fragrant flowers and their walls with auspicious signs painted in flour such as the sun, moon, or swastika in reverse along with burning as incense. Dressed up in new clothes, celebrants feast on special food items such as kapse and warm barley beer. Also, the traditional noodle soup called guthuk containing dumplings made from flour and stuffed with nine different fortune symbols are served.
During my stay at Tenga Valley in Arunachal Pradesh in 1980s, I enjoyed this popular festival of the State.
The people of ancient Monpa Tribe are the ardent followers of Buddhist religion and they celebrate the festival with great pomp and show in Tawang. The first the prayers are offered at Tawang Monastery followed by prayers and offerings to the household shrine.
Comentários