Have you ever felt anything while attending a festival? Well, take a look around and you’ll know that you are a part of something ancient. For humans, festivals have always been a great experience. With roots in religious celebrations, festivals are original, the ultimate peer-to-peer gatherings. To be exact, festivals aren’t something people attend; rather, they’re something people create.
Himachal Pradesh is not only a place of enchanting mountains and mystifying valleys but also colorful festivals. Specifically, in winters when life is brought to a standstill, fairs and festivals bring fun and revelry. One such festival is ‘Losar, Tibetans New Year’.
Losar came a long way, it originated at Lhokha Yarla Shampo region of Tibet during the pre-Buddhist period, and that time it was known as the Agrarian Festival since it celebrated the blooming of the apricot trees. The term Losar originated from two Tibetan words, ‘lo’ means ‘year’ and ‘sar’ means ‘new’. The festival is also celebrated in Ladakh, Tawang, Sikkim, Bodh Gaya, Spiti, and even Nepal.
Himachal Pradesh has been home to the Tibetans since 1959 when the 14th Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet with his followers and found his “capital in exile” at McLeodGanj, Dharamshala. Since then the state has had an unparalleled role in the global firmament of Buddhist traditions. Buddhism continued to be rooted in the region, particularly in the Lahaul, Spiti, and Kinnaur valleys.
Do you know why it’s the new year for Tibetans? It is because the first month of the Tibetan calendar usually falls somewhere between January to the first week of March. However, the people of Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur celebrate it prior to the Tibetan’s new year as they mark the beginning of winter.
Nevertheless, Buddhists are all set to celebrate the harvest festival of Losa with much fervor and gaiety. The Losar celebrations in Himachal Pradesh are an interesting blend of Tibetan and Indian culture. Local monasteries are decorated with beautiful prayer flags. Chanting, singing, and praying together in harmony make it extremely peaceful. According to the Tibetan calendar, every year between December and March, the Losar festival is celebrated in different ways in different regions on different dates. In Himachal, Losar is celebrated in Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur, and across the entire tribal belt, with hotspots in Dharamshala, Manali, Kinnaur, Solan, and Rewalsar.
Let’s gain ground on how the festival is celebrated in different regions of Himachal Pradesh-
Losar Festival in Lahaul Spiti
Just a couple of days back Lahaul Spiti celebrated Losar, i.e between 12th February – 14th February. The Losar Festival holds religious significance for the local Buddhists residing here. It is also referred to as Halda in the Lahaul region. Spread over three days, this festival celebrates the agricultural success of the region. Monasteries and Buddhist settlements in Lahaul Spiti are decorated with a wonderful and serene ambiance. On this sacred day, devotees worship His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, and take out vibrant processions in his honour. People clean their houses and prepare a special feast Guthuk, shared and eaten with great joy! People greet each other by saying “Tashi Delek” the most common greeting, which translates as “all the best” or “auspicious.”
During the festival, families walk with lighted cedar twigs near the Chandra and Bhaga rivers. Buddhist lamas determine where prayers are to be offered. Branches are collected to create massive bases for the bonfire, which is then thrown into the rivers. The Goddess of wealth Shiskar Apa is worshipped at this festival, where dancing continues for several days.
One of the highlights of the Festival is the Chham Dance, performed wearing elaborate masks and colorful costumes in Buddhist settlements and monasteries. They groove to the mesmerizing ‘Devil Dance’ to tell the tale of the death of the cruel Tibetan King Langdarma in the 9th century, which signified the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Also, the Lamas light the butter lamps, which symbolize Buddha’s enlightenment. During the evening hours, the lit lamps provide a delightful visual spectacle of this scenic abode, and trust us this scene imprints a lasting impression. So, if you’re in Lahaul Spiti in winter, make sure you enjoy every bit of Losar!
Losar Festival in Kinnaur
This year Kinnaur celebrated Losar in the month of January. In the Kinnaur district, the festival of Losar (New Year) is celebrated for 3 days, i.e Day 1 Mistooh, Day 2 Brayngyas fralma, Day 3 Aaitaas. People clean their houses and paint them as well. Holy shrines in the houses are illuminated with colorful lights. Images of Ibex are hung on the doors as well as walls of the kitchen for a good and prosperous life. Ibex is considered the symbol of fertility.
A few days before Losar, it is customary for families to decorate their doors with branches of thorny plants. This is a traditional way to ward off evil spirits. When Losar ends, the branches are thrown far away from the village. They enjoy the occasion greatly, eating a variety of delicacies and having a good time.
The day starts with preparing Mistooh which includes Brangyas (made up of sattu and dry fruits). This is basically a new year good luck sign. After greeting each other by saying Lo Soma Tashis (Happy New year) with garland (made of dry fruits), the morning rituals start. Brangyas (Barangays), dry fruits, and butter lamps are placed before Lord Buddha’s statue for a good harvest. Then, some Buddhist and traditional rituals are performed. Uushoo (dry fruits), fruits and butter salt tea (Sacha) is served to the family members. People wear traditional dresses and go to their forts to pray in the afternoon, and later in the evening, all the villagers go to the monastery to perform Kayang, a cultural dance, to the tune of the Devta’s musical instruments.
Tibetan Belt Across Himachal Pradesh
Tibetan’s Losar is yet to come! This year Tibetans will celebrate Losar from 3rd to 5th March, as per Tibetans’ calendar. It is said to last for 15 days, but the first three days are the foremost. Devotees visit monasteries and worship their Spiritual head – Dalai Lama. Losar is a time for the young Tibetans to ask for money from elders without hesitation!
Well, the festive fervor starts one month prior and people make a lot of preparations. To begin with, a ritual called Vajrakilaya Sutor, which eliminates the negative effects of the past year, involves prayer sessions in monasteries, followed by food offerings. As a ritualistic offering to the holy, Lamas make Tormas (decorative sculptures made of butter and flour) in the form of Vajrakilaya and 46 smaller symbols related to sacred hand emblems. Vajrakilaya is an incredibly sharp, yet impenetrable dagger that pierces anything while at the same time impenetrable by nothing. Tormas are burned at the end of the three-day ritual.
In addition, Guthuk, a traditional noodle soup, is served. It is made from nine ingredients, including dried cheese and various grains. Dough balls are sunk in the soup containing nine fortune symbols indicating what will happen to the person the following year. The nine ingredients are chili pepper, cotton ball, wood, charcoal, sugar cube, wool string, paper, pebble, raw bean, and cotton string.
As Losar begins, family members and neighbors greet each other by saying ‘Tashi Delek’ (meaning prosperity, sound health, and goodness). Early in the morning, Tibetans wear the Chuba (the traditional Tibetan attire) and go to their temple with their families. Afterward, their families and neighbors eat and drink Chang (a special alcoholic drink). Similar happens on day two, celebrating with neighbors and friends. Apart from this, games like Sho (dice) or cards are played.
The third day of festivities involves replacing Dhar-shings and Dhar-chocks (the hoisted prayer flags) on their roofs with new ones, as well as burning thick bundles of incense (Sang). At the same time, the barley flour is thrown into the air while shouting Kyi-kyi So-So Lha Gyalo (happiness, happiness, and let victory come to God).
Day 4-15: A very sacred festival called Monlam Chenmo is held from Days four to fifteen in the Gelugpa sect (order of excellence). On the 15th day, Choenga Choepa, or butter lamp festival is held, the celebration of offerings. It is a celebration marking the triumph of Buddha over his six non-Buddhist teachers. On the very same day, huge butter and wax sculptures are put together, and Khapse (Tibetan biscuits) are offered. Later, the same is distributed among the monks and people.
It takes a month to prepare these traditional butter sculptures. They believe that by making such offerings, one creates positive karma which overcomes epidemics, hunger, and war, bringing about peace and harmony.
As for Taboos in Tibetan families, Here are a few:
1. Tibetan families don’t typically welcome outsiders on the first day of Losar. Their relatives are the only ones they invite.
2. It is forbidden for Tibetan parents to scold their children in the morning and use dirty words. Consequently, they will have a prosperous new year in return.
3. Yak dung (the major fuel used by the Tibetan) should never be thrown away. It is said that if the yak dung is thrown out or the host lends anything to others on day 1 of the New Year, his or her family will never raise good cattle, lose bumper crops, and will never prosper.
4. Water should be filled into the tank without spilling. Otherwise, this is considered ominous. It is so because water indicates good fortune in such a scenario.
5. Traditionally Tibetan families celebrate the 29th of December (as per the Tibetan calendar) together by eating Guthuk and then using barley torch and tsampa, firecrackers, etc. to drive out evil spirits.
6. It is not allowed for the family members to arrive home too late at night.
7. As soon as you throw all the tools used to dispel ghosts into the fire, you don’t look back, or else everything you’ve done will be in vain.
This was all about Losar! Known for their diverse and rich culture, the Buddhist people certainly know how to enjoy life’s celebrations and mark its changes. It provides a great telescope into the lives of residents by honoring traditional practices and incorporating cultural amalgamation.
Lo Soma Tashis Everyone!
Feature Image By – JOHANNES EISELE,
