Gyalpo Losar is also regarded as a Tibetan New Year. The calendar has a cycle of 12 years named after mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog and boar.[2]
Mythology
According to mythology, the Losar was first celebrated when an old woman named Belma introduced moon based time measurement. People went to the local spring to perform rituals of gratitude and offerings were made to the Nagas (the snake god), or water spirits, who activated the water element in the area, and smoke offerings were made to the local spirits associated with the natural world.[3]
History
Gyalpo Losar, the Tibetan New Year, traces its origins to the pre-Buddhist Bon tradition of Tibet, where it was initially observed as a seasonal festival to honor the spirits of nature, mountain deities, and agricultural prosperity. It later became associated with the rise of Buddhism in Tibet.
The celebration as a spring festival is believed to have started during the reign of Pude Gungyal, the ninth emperor of Tibet. During the early Tibetan Empire (7th–9th century), Gyalpo Losar became a significant royal and state festival, blending traditional Bon customs with Buddhist practices introduced by Tibetan rulers like Songtsen Gampo.
By the time of the Ming and Qing dynasties, Gyalpo Losar had spread beyond Tibet, influencing regions such as Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of India where Tibetan communities lived. Today, the festival is celebrated by the Sherpa, Tamang, Bhutia, and Tibetan communities in Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the Everest region.[4]
Activities
Gyalpo Losar is celebrated for 2 weeks. The main celebrations take place during first three days. On the first day, a traditional beverage called Changkol, an equivalent of Chhaang is drunk. In the second day, which is the start of new year, Gyalpo Losar is celebrated. On the third day, people gather together to have a feast.
Various traditional dances representing the struggle between demon and god are performed in the Monasteries. Mantras are chanted and holy torches are passed among all the people in the crowd. A traditional dance depicting a battle between a deer and the King is also performed.
Traditional dishes are served during the festival. One of the main dishes is a soup called Gutung[3] cooked with nine kinds of beans and meat, wheat, rice, sweet potato, cheese, peas, green pepper, vermicelli noodles and radish. The soup is served with dumpling. Khapse, a deep-fried pastry commonly eaten during, symbolizing the start of holiday celebrations.
Firecrackers are fired to get rid of ill spirits.[5] Traditional dances such as Syabru are performed.
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