Festival
of Tibet
Tibet has 20 or 30 big & small traditional festivals
a year. During the festivals, friends get together.
Both men & women sing songs & perform dances
& vie to demonstrate their artistic abilities.
These festivals have a long history & most are
connected with religion. As the time goes, these festivals
have a tendency towards folk customs & pleasure
Tibetan New Year:
It is the greatest festival in Tibet. At the ancient
time, When the peach tree was in blossom. It was considered
as the starting 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 “auspicious
dipper” is offered, & the auspicious words
“Tashi Delek” are greeted.
Monlam (Great Prayer) Festival:
It is the greatest religious festival in Tibet. Tsong
Khapa is the founder of the Gelukpa sect in 1409 AD.
Monks from the three great monasteries of Tibet, assemble
in Jokhang for pray to Shakyamuni’s images as
it were the living Buddha. Philosophical debates are
held among candidates or the Doctor of Metaphysic.
Pilgrims come from every corner of Tibet & donations
are offered to monks.
Butter Oil Lantern Festival:
It is the last day of the Great Prayer Festival. In
order to celebrate Shakyamuni’s victory over
on Buddhist opponents, the Lord of Neu Dzong, a patron
of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter lamps in
1409 AD.
Saga Dawa Festival (The Birth of Buddha):
It is the holiest in Tibet; three memorable occasions
coincide on this day, Buddha’s birth, Buddha’s
death & Buddhist enlightenment. Almost every person
within Lhasa joins in circumambulations round the
city & spends their afternoon on picnic at Dzongyab
Lukhang Park at the foot of the Potala Palace.
Gyantse Horse Race & Archery:
Horse race & archers are generally popular in
Tibet, & Gyantse enjoys prestige of being the
earliest in history by staring in 1408. Contests in
the early times included horse race, archery &
shooting on gallop followed by a few days entertainment
of picnic. Presently, all games, track & field
events, folk songs & dance, barter trade are in
addition for the festival.
Chungbacixi Festivals:
It is believed the Buddha gave his first sermons on
this day. People celebrate the festival by visiting
to the holy mountains & monasteries.
Xuedun (Shoton) Festival:
It is the opera festival & the greatest festivals
in Tibet. In ancient times pious folks went into mountain
heritages for penance. On the last day, Yoghort served
for meal followed by entertainment of folk songs &
dances. Since 7 century, opera performances were held
for days in Norbu Lingka. Presently, opera contests
& distribution of prizes are held for seven days.
Qangtang Kyagqen Horse Racing Festivals:
It is the most important festival in north Tibet curing
the golden season on the grassland. Thousands of herdsmen
throng to Nakchu riding fine horses, & carrying
the local products. They form as city of tens south
of Nakchu town. There will be thrilling horses race,
archery & demonstrations of horsemanship. Songs
& dance troupes from all part of Tibet will add
to the fun.
Harvest Festival:
The farmers in Lhasa, Gyantse & Shannan celebrating
their bumper harvest during this festival. They will
enjoy with horse racing games, custom fashion show,
songs & dance, archery & picnic.
Death of Tsongkapa:
Tsongkapa is the great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism
& founder of the Gelukpa sect, died on this day
in 1419. In memory of the day, every household burns
countless butter lamps on roof top & chant prayers
in his honor. Late in the evening Tibetan dumpling
is service for supper.
