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Celebrating New Beginnings: Losar

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The Losar festival has a long and complex history in both Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh. The origins of the festival are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have evolved from ancient winter solstice celebrations that pre-date Buddhism in Tibet.

In the North-East oF India, Losar is celebrated with great gaiety and fervour amongst Buddhist communities in West Kameng, Tawang and Menchuka area of West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. The Monpa and Shertukpen tribes of Western Arunachal Pradesh follow Buddhism and their culture is highly influenced by the religion. Losar is a time of great celebration, with families and communities traveling far distances to visit and spend time with their loved ones. It is a time for renewing spiritual and familial ties, as well as for expressing gratitude for the previous year’s blessings and seeking good luck for the coming year.

The specific celebrations of Losar vary from region to region, but they all involve certain traditional activities. Throughout the 15-day celebration, people eat traditional food, dress in traditional clothing, and engage in dances and other cultural performances.

NER / HISTORY & CULTURE

Discover the Traditional Aji Lhamu Dance of Losar
A local dance troupe in Sangti Village practising for the Aji Lhamu performance during Losar. 2020. © DEVRAJ BAROOAH

The word “Losar” is a combination of two Tibetan words: “lo,” which means “year,” and “sar,” which means “new.”

Losar is a Tibetan festival celebrated primarily in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and the parts of India falling in the Himalaya region, close to the cultural influence of the Tibetan Plateau. The word “Losar” is a combination of two Tibetan words: “lo,” which means “year,” and “sar,” which means “new.” Losar is the Tibetan New Year – while is it celebrated for different lengths of time across buddhist communities world wise, the first three days are considered to be the most important. The festivities, in some places, can continue on for over 15 days, usually starting in mid-February. The Tibetan lunar calendar assigns an element and an animal to each year and 2023 marks the year of the Water Rabbit. 

The Meaning and Significance of Offerings During Losar

The Losar festival has a long and complex history in both Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh. The origins of the festival are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have evolved from ancient winter solstice celebrations that pre-date Buddhism in Tibet.

In the North-East oF India, Losar is celebrated with great gaiety and fervour amongst Buddhist communities in West Kameng, Tawang and Menchuka area of West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. The Monpa and Shertukpen tribes of Western Arunachal Pradesh follow Buddhism and their culture is highly influenced by the religion. Losar is a time of great celebration, with families and communities traveling far distances to visit and spend time with their loved ones. It is a time for renewing spiritual and familial ties, as well as for expressing gratitude for the previous year’s blessings and seeking good luck for the coming year.

The specific celebrations of Losar vary from region to region, but they all involve certain traditional activities. Throughout the 15-day celebration, people eat traditional food, dress in traditional clothing, and engage in dances and other cultural performances.

KEY ELEMENTS OF LOSAR CELEBRATIONS

Unveiling the Intricate and Colorful Aji Lhamu Dance Costume
Sangti Village dance troupe member in traditional dance attire. 2020 © DEVRAJ BAROOAH

Cleaning: The days leading up to Losar are spent cleaning and preparing homes and public spaces for the new year. This is a way of purifying the environment and starting fresh for the new year.

Offerings and prayers: Throughout Losar, people make offerings to the gods and ancestors, and engage in special prayers and rituals. These practices are meant to bring blessings for the new year and honor the spiritual traditions of the culture.

Socializing: Losar is a time for reconnecting with family and friends, and many social gatherings take place during the festival. People may visit each other’s homes, exchange gifts, and participate in group activities such as dances or games. The Aji Lhamu dance is one of the many traditional dances performed during Losar. A folkdance of the Monpas, it is traditionally done with colourful masks and costumes, depicting the retelling of the epic Ramayana. The dance is typically performed in a circle, with the dancers holding hands and moving in unison.

FOOD & DRINK DURING LOSAR

Losar is a time for feasting and enjoying traditional foods and drinks. One of the most popular Losar dishes is momos, which are steamed or fried dumplings filled with meat or vegetables. Another traditional dish is guthuk, a hearty soup made with nine different ingredients, including wheat, barley, peas, rice, and various spices. This soup is believed to have medicinal properties and is served as a symbol of good health and prosperity. In addition to these dishes, khapse is an important part of Losar celebrations. Khapse is a deep-fried pastry made with wheat flour, sugar, and butter. It is often shaped into intricate patterns and is considered a symbol of good luck. Chang is a traditional Tibetan alcoholic beverage made from fermented millet or barley and it is a common drink during Losar celebrations in Sikkim. In Arunachal Pradesh, a similar drink called Ara is popular. Ara is made by distilling rice beer and is usually stronger than chang.
Sweeten Up Your Losar Celebrations with Delicious Khapse
Khapse is a deep-fried sweet pastry considered a symbol of good luck and offered in every home during losar. © CHALOHOPPO

SYMBOLS & RITUALS ASSOCIATED WITH LOSAR

The Eight Auspicious Symbols, or Tashi Dargye, are important religious symbols in Tibetan Buddhism and are often associated with Losar festival. During Losar, the Eight Auspicious Symbols are often prominently displayed in homes and monasteries and are used in various rituals and ceremonies. The symbols are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and protection from harm, which are particularly important during the start of a new year. 

The Eight Auspicious Symbols are:

  1. The Umbrella which represents protection from harm and illness.
  2. The Golden Fish which symbolizes good fortune, fertility, and abundance.
  3. The Treasure Vase which represents spiritual and material abundance.
  4. The Lotus Flower which symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and spiritual rebirth.
  5. The Conch Shell which represents the call to awaken to the truth of the Buddha’s teachings.
  6. The Endless Knot which represents the interconnectedness of all phenomena.
  7. The Victory Banner which represents the triumph of the Buddha’s teachings over ignorance.
  8. The Wheel of Dharma which symbolizes the Buddha’s teachings and the path to enlightenment.
In addition to being used in rituals and ceremonies, the Eight Auspicious Symbols are also incorporated into Losar decorations, such as banners and prayer flags, and are an important part of the festive atmosphere of the holiday. The Prayer flag and banners are hung outside homes and monasteries to bring blessings and good fortune. The Wheel of Life (Bhavacakra) is also hung, which represents the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Prayers are offered in the Tawang monastery and household shrines.
The Eight Auspicious Symbols - Their Significance During Losar

Flag hoisting: An important event that takes place on the last day of Losar in Arunachal Pradesh is the hoisting of prayer flags. The prayer flags, known as Lungta in Tibetan, are colorful rectangular flags that are inscribed with prayers and mantras. The flags are believed to carry blessings and good wishes, and are hoisted to bring peace, prosperity, and good luck to the community. During the flag hoisting ceremony, people gather in public places to witness the raising of the flags. While raising flags, a ritual of appeasement is offered in honor of their deities and the local protective deity. This is performed by holding flour in their hands and shouting “Lha so lo, ki ki so so lhagyal to” (May the Gods be victorious) and then throwing the flour towards the sky. The flags are also seen as a way to ward off negative energies and obstacles, and are a symbol of hope and positivity for the coming year.

Overall, Losar is a vibrant and meaningful celebration that reflects the rich cultural traditions of the Tibetan people. Both in Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh, the celebration of Losar has been shaped by the influences of Buddhist and indigenous beliefs and practices. Over the centuries, the festival has evolved and taken on new meanings and practices, but the festival remains a time to reflect on the past year, looking forward to the future, and reconnecting with the spiritual and social aspects of life.

Team ChaloHoppo

Team ChaloHoppo

Anali Baruah writes on culture and tourism in north eastern regions of India. She is currently doing her PhD in Cultural Studies and works with Content & Research at ChaloHoppo.

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