Tibetan New Year (March
3)
This is the greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times, when
the peach trees were in blossom, it was considered the start
of a new year. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar
in 1027 AD, the first day of the first month was fixed as the
New Year. On the New Year's Day, families unite, an "auspicious
dipper" is offered, and the auspicious words "tashi delek" are
greeted.
Butter Oil Lantern Festival (March 18)
The last day of the Great Prayer Festival is celebrated as Butter
oil lantern festival. In order to commemorate Sakyamuni's victory
over non-Buddhist opponents, the Lord of Neu Dzong, a noted
patron of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter-lamps in 1409.
.
Saga Dawa Festival (June 14)
Gods in heaven are believed to descend to the mortal world on
this day. Incense sticks are lit in large numbers, and families
go out in public parks for picnicking. The day is also known
as the Worlds Incense Day.
Horse Racing Festival, Gyantse (20 to 27 July)
Horse race and archery are extremely popular in Tibet. And Gyantse
enjoys the prestige of being the earliest in history by starting
in 1408. Contests in early times included horse races, archery,
and shooting on galloping horseback followed by a few days of
entertainment and picnicking. Ball games, track and field events,
folk songs and dances, and barter trade are additional attractions
to the above.
Yalong Cultural Festival (July 25)
Yarlong culture is an important part not only of Tibetan culture
but also of the world's. The festival is a combination of both
art and economy, which displays the old brilliance and the new
expectations at the same time. There are colorful activities
like national sports contests, singing, dancing, Tibetan opera,
ethnic costume shows and trade fairs.
Shoton Festival (August 27, September 3)
The Opera Festival is one of the greatest festivals in Tibet.
In ancient times, pious folks went into mountain hermitages
to do penance. On the last day of the festival, yogurt is served
as meal followed by folk song and dance entertainment.
Ganden Festival
On the 15th day of the 6th Tibetan month, 25 precious articles
belonging to ganden monastery, which are normally locked in
their treasure house, are displayed in the main shrine hall.
A grand offering ceremony accompanies the display. These articles
consist of the images of the sixteen arhats, akshobhya, the
secret assembly, the four great kings, the upasaka and hashang
image.
Harvest Festival (September)
The farmers in Lhasa, gyantse and shangnan to celebrating
their bumeer harvest in this time. During that time, people
enjoy with horse racing games, costume fashion show, songs and
dance archery and picnic etc.
Bathing Week
It is believed when the sacred planet Venus appears in the
sky, the water in the river becomes purest and cure diseases.
During its appearance for one week in the sky, all the people
in Tibet go into the river for bathing.
Dates
| Fairs & Festivals |
2009 |
| Tibetan New Year |
- |
| The Great Prayer Festival (Monlam) |
- |
| Butter Oil Lantern Festival |
- |
| Saga Dawa Festival |
- |
| Buddha Unfolding Festival |
June |
| Chubacexi Festival |
- |
| Horse Racing Festival, Gyantse |
June |
| Yalong Cultural Festival |
- |
| Paying Homage To The Holy Mountain Festival
|
- |
| Universal Prayers Festival |
Aug-Sep |
| Changtang Chachen Horse Race Festival |
10 Aug. – 16 Aug. |
| Shoton Festival |
August |
| Bathing Festival |
- |
| Tsong Khapa Butter Lamp Festival
|
- |
|
Time in India : 
