Nothing can beat the feeling of experiencing Buddhist tradition and culture through festivals. Seeing and participating in one of the Tibetan festivals will surely add more memory to your overall journey. The highlights of these festivals are they have a huge celebration and social refreshment. The locals possess immense talent in singing and dancing. While some festivals last for a day or two, others may extend up to ten days. Want to find out which are the mostly rejoiced festivals? Take a look below.
Tibetan New Year- By far this festival holds the most importance in Tibet. Similar to Chinese New Year, this is the time for family gathering and prayer. Commonly referred to as Losar, it begins either in the month of February or March and from the 1st to 3rd day of the 1st month as per lunisolar Calendar of Tibet. Tibetan New Year is deeply connected with Buddhism where you will come across plenty of activities like, singing & dancing, fights between ministers and their King, Lamas walking past the crowds with fire torches and more. As a part of the tradition, Tibetans eat Guthuk, paint religious signs on their doors and visit monasteries.
Saga Dawa- Celebrated on the fifteenth day of the 4th month, this day is concluded as the birthday of Buddha. Though the entire month is considered as Saga Dawa, the fifteenth day is believed to be pious because of the full moon. During this month, people visit holy places and donate to temples or monks or nuns. Meat is not consumed on the full moon day. Do you want to experience this festival? Join the crowds who are going to Dzongyab Lukhang Park or Barkhor Street or Tsekhor.
Shoton Festival- Occurs every year in August, Shoton is yet another festival that is worth mentioning. Also referred to as the Yoghurt Festival, this celebration is a great event for tourists. During the celebration, huge Buddha Thangkas are displayed in Drepung Monastery.
Tibetan festivals cause a major attraction to the tourist. Visitors who want to have a closer look at Tibetan culture and Buddhism pick those months to travel that has a significant festival. They are guaranteed to have unique experience and vibrant days.
Eager to see a Tibetan festival? Arrange a trip with us.