Dalai Lama wishes Tibetans as New Year celebrations begin

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, February 9

Monks of the Namgyal monastery and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, including the speaker of Tibetan parliament, members of Kashag and Tibetan justice commissioners, gathered at Tsuglakhang (main temple of the Dalai Lama) on the first day of the Tibetan lunar new year Losar, 2143, for the celebrations today.

The gathering recited the invocation of Palden Lhamo, the official protector deity of Tibet. Local Tibetans visited the temple to offer prayers and receive blessings.

Losar, one of the biggest festivals of Tibetans, began here. The Dalai Lama, who is undergoing treatment in Mayo clinic in the USA, and Sikyong Lobsang Sangay sent their greetings on the occasion.

Losar marks the end of winter and start of the spring season. The end of Losar festival after three days is considered as the first day of New Year, according to the Tibetan calendar. On this day, Tibetans pay obeisance to their spiritual guru, the Dalai Lama.

Sources said on the first day of the New Year, they avoided making any purchase or spend money. The behaviour was guided by the belief that if they spent on the first day, they would be under debt for the entire year.

Besides, every Tibetan grew in age by one year today.

As per the tradition, the preparations of Losar start on 29th day of the last month of Tibetan year. The day is called Nyi-shu-gu. All members of the family come together. They clean the house. Thupa, traditional Tibetan food, is prepared for dinner. The food is cooked in a single utensil and served to all. A game is played by members of the family on 30th of last month. In game, things are distributed to members according to which their behaviour in the last year is evaluated.

The major festivities and celebrations take place on the third day of Losar.