Losar Festival in India

Losar is a Tibetan festival but it is also celebrated in the regions located near to Tibet's boundary which are normally habitated by tribal population or the regions where Tibetans have settled in India. Losar means new year in Tibetan and is celebrated to welcome the new year. Though celebrations carry on for fifteen days in Tibet but in India it is celebrated for three days. Losar is celebrated in the months of December-January as per the lunar calendar.

In India, Losar is celebrated with full pomp and show in various states with tribal and Tibetan population like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. In Himachal Pradesh it is celebrated in Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti and Kangra. In Arunachal Pradesh, Losar is celebrated in Tawang, Memba and Mechukha valley by Monpa tribes.

Losar is celebrated by offering prayers in various beautiful monasteries by localites to wish for the good luck in the approaching year. On the very first day of the Losar festival, 'Changkol' a beverage made of 'Chhang' (a kind of Beer) is made and enjoyed by the folks. Second day of the Losar festival is known as 'Gyalpo Losar' or King's Losar, which is specially reserved for secular gatherings and exchanging of greetings. It is from the third day when the monks and localites start enjoying the festive season by participating in Deer dance, folk music and merry making.

Special preparations are made to celebrate Losar by painting of houses, decorating homes by flour paintings of Sun and Moon, and illuminating houses by earthen lamps during the nights. Losar festival in Sikkim begins one month in advance than that celebrated by Buddhists and Tibetans in other places.

During Losar, folks enjoy various kinds of special cuisines. It is the time for Buddhists to ensure stopping of bad omens from carrying into the new year. Losar is also celebrated in various parts of Nepal and Bhutan.