There’s always something to look at, something to explore and to experience. Losar is celebrated by the Monpas who are a majority in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. It must also be mentioned that Losar is the most important festival of the Monpas in Tawang. Throughout the festival, you are bound to find mingling cultural events, rituals that have been followed since ages and also traditional and ancient performances such as dance and folk songs. On the very first day of 11th lunar month, Losar is celebrated by the people of Ladakh. We are Savaari, India’s largest intercity Car Rental services provider, providing customers with reliable and premium chauffeur driven cab services. The preparations begin a month in advance of the festival, the locals start with cleaning their houses, discarding all the old materials, unused items so that all evil omens are chased away from their life to maintain peace, prosperity and harmony. Losar is celebrated for more than 15 days in Tibet. 5) The roots of Losar can be traced before the advent of Buddhism in the Tibet region. Block your Calendars from 27 December and make the most of your time in Ladakh. Being a part of this festival is a life-time experience and should be on every traveler’s bucket list. It is also an important center for Buddhist learning, something that attracts people from all across the world. Read More : Top four places to visit in Ladakh – Click Here, Suggested Tour : 6 Days – Best of Ladakh Tour. Out of the 15 days, the first three days are really important. 3) Losar festival is a fifteen-day event celebrated as per the local customs and traditions. Updated January 31, 2019 Losaris the Tibetan New Year, a three-day festival that mixes sacred and secular practices — prayers, ceremonies, hanging prayer flags, sacred and folk dancing, and partying. But the first three days of this prolonged celebration are most important. Indeed, the joie-de-vivre that characterizes this festival is simply fascinating. Losar (Tibetan: ལོ་གསར་, Wylie: lo-gsar; "new year") is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism. Apart from the scenic terrain and the breathtaking landscape, Ladakh also pulls crowd here every year in the month of December for one of its most important festivals – the Losar Festival. Before the advent of the Losar festival in Tawang people can be seen cleaning their homes and discarding all unused and old items. The slogans are chanted to drive away evil spirits, hungry ghosts and bad deeds. About the author Road Trip Expert, India Tourism Expert Exploring India, one road trip at a time. In 2020, the new year commenced on the 24th of February and celebrations ran until the 26th of the same month. Are you ready to welcome the New Year with sheer happiness, positivity and just good vibe? Although there may not be a fixed date for the auspicious occasion, the dates are usually always fixed as per the Lunar calendar. People decorate their house with good luck signs. It is the most widely celebrated of all Tibetan festivals and represents a time for all things to be purified and renewed. Dinner with relatives is also an essential part of the merrymaking. Out of the 15 days, the first three days are really important.

‘Metho,’ is the procession of fire that comes out in the evening. For hundreds of year now, it has been a tradition for the Government and the Dalai Lama to consult Nechung during the festivities. People bid farewell to the passing year by throwing the torches out of the town and welcoming the New Year. The villagers march through the lanes and market places bearing torches of flame that brightens every nook and corner along with chanting slogans. Related Posts.

Relatives and friends get together and celebrate this festival in a very pompous manner. Losar Festival was celebrated before the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet. Marking the beginning of a new year in Ladakh, the Losar festival is also celebrated in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Losar Festival. Until 2018, Losar gathering use to have ‘UT Status for Ladakh’ as a resolution for New Year. A medley of cultural events, traditional performances and also ancient rituals are an essential part of the New Year celebrations. Changkoi, a beverage is made from Chhaang on the first day. (Indian nationals visiting within India), 07/02/2019 - More details at: [email protected]. Idols of ibex, which is a symbol of fertility, made of dough are kept on the shelves of kitchen area for the inflow of good luck. It is also celebrated in India, where the inhabitants follow Buddhism. From third day onwards monks along with the locals, join the celebration. Your email address will not be published. The ornamented shrines look beautiful in the evening. This year, it will be joyous Losar festival celebrations in newly born Union Territory Ladakh. Losar (Tibetan: ལོ་གསར་, Wylie: lo-gsar; "new year" ) is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism. Commemorating the advent of the new year, Losar is the occasion when the Monpas feast, drink and make merry. Travel begins with Savaari. During his ruling period, he made up his mind to lead a mission against the Balti forces. However, this tradition was incorporated into the Buddhist religious ceremony later and became the occasion of the New Year of Tibetan Buddhism. Expect a lot of chanting with blazing fire torches, a battle between the good and evil, the Kings and his ministers. The Losar Festival is among the most important festivals celebrated in Tawang. Tawang is one of the most beautiful hill stations you can ever visit during your travel to India.

To us, a road trip is one of the most exhilarating ways to travel the length and breadth of India. People offer prayers to God and greet their elders in the family as well as their relatives on this day.
The tradition of celebrating Losar was started by the King, Jamyang Namgyal in 17th century. When Buddhism arrived in Tibet, there existed an ancient tradition of Bon religion where the followers of Bon religion offered incenses to the spirits. It also commenced the Year of the Mal… Representatives from Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia and China. Tibet Festival Tour. Since then, Ladakh starts preparing for the New Year on the 29th day of 10th lunar month and thus celebrates New Year in the eleventh lunar month. Every year, the dates and location to celebrate this festival change. Belonging to the Mongoloid stock, the Monpas are mainly into agriculture and animal husbandry.

The weather will be brutally cold, so make sure you carry a lot of woolens with you. It must also be mentioned that Losar is the most important festival of the Monpas in Tawang. The Fiesta marks the New Year and is one of the most noted festivals in Ladakh. Culture Festivals Hill Stations India Offbeat Outdoors Spiritual Getaways Travel Ladakh tourism Losar Festival 2019 new year india Savaari Car Rentals.

And in my personal opinion, if you are looking for a peaceful, quiet start to the New Year, this is where you should be. On the eve of Losar, people following Islam and the Christianity also visit their Buddhist acquaintances and friends. The story behind the Losar Festival goes back to the 17th century. Your email address will not be published. This once in a lifetime experience is made memorable with a lot of dancing, good music and a feast to be shared with your friends and family. Although he was advised by his well wishers not to do any such activity during the time of New Year, King Jamyang Namgyal to satisfy the crowd declared that New Year in Ladakh will be celebrated before the real date (two months earlier).

Several music events urge people to be a part of the celebrations by dancing to their heart’s content. Acting Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil inaugurated two-day Kargil Ladakh Losar- Traditional New Year Cultural and Literary Festival at Language Center New Academy Complex. The holiday is celebrated on various dates depending on location (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India) tradition.The holiday is a new year's festival, celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar, which corresponds to a date in February or March in the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated as Tibetan New Year. Because we love travelling by road so much, we’ve been striving to make sure you have a great experience too. Be the first to receive updates and special deals. Views: 377. People gather in the Hall of Excellence of Samsara and Nirvana. Vibrant colors, enchanting prayers, traditional folk songs and dance performances, truly transform this arid land into a paradise on earth and at the same time leave the spectators awestruck. Losar is celebrated by the Monpas who are a majority in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. Essentially, Losar festival is a New Year’s celebration of the traditional schedule of Tibetan Buddhism. Everyone on the streets is happy and hopeful for a happier, prosperous year ahead. In the year 2019, the festival was celebrated on the 5th to 6th of February. The holiday is celebrated on various dates depending on location (Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India) tradition. Losar means New Year (lo - year, sar - new) in Tibetan. The whole vibe of the region is too contagious to not feel it yourself. Losar Festival 2019, Monpa Festival at Tawang - Festivals Of India Losar Festival 2020 - February 24 (Monday) To February 26 (Wednesday) The Losar Festival also called as the New Year Festival and is the most important festivals celebrated in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. This 15-day celebration is nothing short of an incredibly unique celebration. Required fields are marked *. 4) In Tibet, the Losar festival is also called ‘Gyalpo Losar’ means ‘the king’s new year’. People store their requirements for the feast like grains, sheep, goats so that they can enjoy with friends and relatives in the evening.

Required fields are marked *. Thus, he managed his crowd and also proceeded with his intentions. The celebrations proceed with the Ladakhi Buddhists making make a religious offering before their deities in the Gompas or local monasteries. Dates: February 10—20, 2019. People fix images of ibex on the walls of their kitchen and on the doors which is considered as auspicious. The pre-Buddhist gala finds its roots in a winter-incense-burning custom of a religion.

It is the most important festival in the Tibetan calendar. For Inbound Tours: Recognized by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. It is also celebrated in India, where the inhabitants follow Buddhism. The celebrations usually begin with a Metho ceremony – a procession of people chanting prayers and carrying flaming torches. They carry a khatak scarf as a gift. Old items are discarded from the homes. The holiday is a new year's festival, celebrated on the first day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar, which corresponds to a date in February or March in the Gregorian calendar.


The festivities for the Losar festival in Ladakh last for about 15 days. It is believed to cleanse the evil spirits and the negativity that was accumulated over the course of the year. Thus, they conclude the procession of fire. (Indian nationals visiting outside India), For Domestic Tours: Speaking of the fairs and festivals in Tawang, this picturesque hill station celebrates a good numbers of events throughout the year. The streets are extravagantly decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and lights to only attract happiness and good omen. Join the celebrations in Ladakh for a mind-boggling experience of their rich and extremely vibrant culture which is on display for not one, but 15 days! The term Losar, means “New Year” in Tibetan language, Lo-New and Sar-Year.

A medley of cultural events, traditional performances and also ancient rituals are an essential part of the New Year celebrations. Belonging to the Mongoloid stock, the Monpas are mainly into agriculture and animal husbandry. Just get in touch with us today for details and well priced tour pacakges. Losar Festival signifies the beginning of a new year.