‘Losar Festival’-The traditional New Year Festival celebrated in Ladakh:

Celebrated by the Buddhist Community:

The Losar Festival in Ladakh is celebrated at the onset of the New Year in the traditional schedule of Tibetan Buddhism. It is celebrated by the Buddhist Community in the name of God and Goddess. This festival is comprised of lighting, offering rituals to God and Goddess, and culinary delights.

Houses are cleaned before the festivity begins and various food preparations are done that are then shared with loved ones during the festival days. Offerings are made to Buddhist gods and goddesses both at home and at the monasteries in Losar. A procession called Metho on the eve of Losar is carried out through the streets, markets, and lanes where people chant sacred slogans and carry flaming torches believing that the chant and the fire will ward off all the evil spirits.

Time of celebration:

The Losar is a 15 days festival, from the start of the Tibetan Lunar calendar, marking the 1st day of the 11 months in the Tibetan Calendar. 

Impact of Covid pandemic on it:

Due to increasing cases of Covid-19, this festival is being celebrated with symbolic performances in a low-key affair. People have called off the festivities of uniting, visiting for Greeting and gathering to celebrate and performances of rituals because of Covid Pandemic. The festivities began with the celebration of Birth and Nirvana Anniversary Je Tsongkhapa with illuminations of religious places like Monasteries,  Stupas, residential and other places.

Meaning & importance of this festival:

Losar is a Tibetan word that means ‘New Year’. The festivities began with the celebration of Birth and Nirvana Anniversary Je Tsongkhapa with illuminations of religious places like Monasteries,  Stupas, residential and other places. The eve of the Losar festival is also celebrated with memorial food offerings for the departed loved ones.