Festivals mark the characteristics of any place and present to you both the culture and the natives of that region at the same time. If you are lucky enough to visit Tibet during any of its festivals, you will be mesmerized to see the rich culture and the warm-heartedness of the Tibetans. With splashes of colors all around, this land in between the snowy Himalayas will be a treat for your eyes! But you need to know about the Tibet festival calendar in order to decide at what time do you want to visit. Tibetans have one festival or another in each month, so from April to October, whenever you visit, you might come across a group of costume-clad Tibetans celebrating Losar or Saga Dawa.
Different Timings of the Festivals
- Shoton Festival – Celebrated on 30th June (according to the Tibetan calendar), this is celebrated in right in the heart of Tibet. You will be regaled with a gigantic Thangka of Buddha, and there will be spectacular opera performance and yogurt banquet! It goes on for days, and the story goes back to the early times when the locals used to serve the Tibetan monks. The monks used to lock themselves inside caves for continuous prayers when the Tibetans used to give them sour milk and dance for them. The yogurt banquet is held in commemoration of the sour milk served during that time.
- Horse Racing Festival – The auspicious time might fall between June and July; you have to check the Tibet festival calendar of that year before deciding to go. This is basically a trade fair held at Nagqu. It is a sight to behold with hundreds of cows and horses dressed in the finest clothes and the herdsmen betting on them for the race! It goes on for over ten days so you can take a peek anytime during your stay. There are thrilling races that are conducted, as well as, horsemanship and archery contests. Not only in terms of entertainment, but the horse racing festival also has a great impact on the economy of Tibet.
- Peach Blossom Festival – Having no religious annotation, this will just show you how nature decks up to welcome spring after a frostbiting winter. If you visit Nyingchi anytime during March, you will get to see something that can take your breath away! Wild flora and fauna decorate the valley, and it seems like standing on the shore of a sea of pink peach flowers. With the snow mountains on top, the color contrast is unbelievable. It is a must for you to have your photography equipment while visiting Nyingchi!
Our professionals, who have experience of many years, will tell you everything you need to know about the festival calendar. Take a trip with us during the maddeningly enjoyable festive seasons!
