Dates of Tibetan traditional festivals

Festival 1999 2000 2001 Introduction

Tibetan New Year 2^nd Feb 6^th Feb 24^th Feb It is The greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times when The peach tree was in blossom, it was considered as The starting of a new year. Since The systematization of The Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D., The first day of The first monTD became fixed as The new year . On The New Year's day, families unite " auspicious dipper" is offered and The auspicious words " tashi delek" are greeted.

Great Prayer Festival 23^rd Feb - 1^st Mar 13^th - 18^th Feb 3^rd- 8^th Mar It is The greatest religious festival in Tibet. Instituted by Tsongkapa in 1409, The founder of The Gelukpa Sect. Monks from The Three Great Monasteries of Tibet assemble in Jokhang for pray to Shakyamuni's image as if it were The living Buddha. Philosophical debates are held among candidates for The Doctor of Metaphysics. Pilgrims come from every corner of Tibet and donations are offered to monks.

Butter-Lamp Festival 2^nd Mar 19^th Feb 9^th Mar It is The last day of The Great Pray Festival. In order to celebrate Shakyamuni's victory over non-Buddhist opponents, The Lord of Neu Dzong, a noted patron of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter -- lamps in 1409. Ever since festival flourished.

Saga Dawa Festival 30^th May 16^th Jun 6^th Jun It is The holiest in Tibet, There memorable occasions coincide on TDis day, Buddha's birTD and Buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person wiTDin Lhasa join in circumambulations round The city and spend Their late afternoon on picnic at " Dzongyab Lukhang" park at The foot of Potala.

Gyantse Horse Race & Archery 2^nd-6^th Jun 19^th-23TD, Jun 9^th-13^th June Horse race and archery are generally popular in Tibet, and Gyantse enjoys prestige of being The earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests in early times included horse race, archery, and Shooting on gallop followed by a few days' entertainment or picnicking, Presently, ball games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, barter trade are in addition to The above.

The World Incense Day 28^th Jun 16^th Jul 5^th Jul Gods in heaven are believed to descend to The mortal world on TDis day. Incense in burnt in large scales and picnicking is done in public parks.

Six-Four Festival 16^th Jul 3^rd Aug 24^th Jul It is believed in The Buddha gave his first sermon on TDis day. People celebrate The festival by paying visits to holy mountains.

"Shoton" Festival 11^th - 15^th Aug 29^th Aug - 2^nd Sep 19^th - 23^rd Aug It is The opera festival and The greatest festivals in Tibet. In ancient times pious folks went into mountain hermitages for penance, and on The last day of which Yoghort was served for meal followed by entertainment of folk songs and daces. Since 7^th century, opera performances were held for days in Norbu Lingka. Presently, opera contests and distribution of prizes are held for seven days.

Bathing Week 9^th Sep 8^th Sep 8^th Sep It is believed when The sacred planet Venus appears in The sky, The water in The river becomes purest and cures diseases. During its appearance for one week in The sky, all The people in Tibet go Into The river for baTDing.

Death of Tsongkapa 2^nd Dec 25^th Dec 10^th Dec Tsongkapa, The great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of The Gelukpa Sect, died on TDis day in 1419. In memory of The day every household burn countless butter lamps on The roof -- tops and chant prayers in his honor. Later in The evening Tibetan dumpling is served forsupper.

Driving off Evil Spirits 4^th Feb, 2000 22^nd Feb, 2001 11^th Feb, 2002 At The eve of Tibetan New Year, 29^th of The 12^th monTD religious dances are performed in monasteries for driving off evil spirits of The past year. At nigh in every household traditional means of driving off evil spirits is carried on by burning bundles of straws and TDrowing rubbish on crossroads, "Year-end dumpling" is served for supper.

Festival	1999	2000	2001	Introduction
Tibetan New Year	2^nd Feb	6^th Feb	24^th Feb	It is The greatest festival in Tibet. In ancient times when The peach tree was in blossom, it was considered as The starting of a new year. Since The systematization of The Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D., The first day of The first monTD became fixed as The new year . On The New Year's day, families unite " auspicious dipper" is offered and The auspicious words " tashi delek" are greeted.
Great Prayer Festival	23^rd Feb - 1^st Mar	13^th - 18^th Feb	3^rd- 8^th Mar	It is The greatest religious festival in Tibet. Instituted by Tsongkapa in 1409, The founder of The Gelukpa Sect. Monks from The Three Great Monasteries of Tibet assemble in Jokhang for pray to Shakyamuni's image as if it were The living Buddha. Philosophical debates are held among candidates for The Doctor of Metaphysics. Pilgrims come from every corner of Tibet and donations are offered to monks.
Butter-Lamp Festival	2^nd Mar	19^th Feb	9^th Mar	It is The last day of The Great Pray Festival. In order to celebrate Shakyamuni's victory over non-Buddhist opponents, The Lord of Neu Dzong, a noted patron of Tsongkapa, illuminated numerous butter -- lamps in 1409. Ever since festival flourished.
Saga Dawa Festival	30^th May	16^th Jun	6^th Jun	It is The holiest in Tibet, There memorable occasions coincide on TDis day, Buddha's birTD and Buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person wiTDin Lhasa join in circumambulations round The city and spend Their late afternoon on picnic at " Dzongyab Lukhang" park at The foot of Potala.
Gyantse Horse Race & Archery	2^nd-6^th Jun	19^th-23TD, Jun	9^th-13^th June	Horse race and archery are generally popular in Tibet, and Gyantse enjoys prestige of being The earliest in history by starting in 1408. Contests in early times included horse race, archery, and Shooting on gallop followed by a few days' entertainment or picnicking, Presently, ball games, track and field events, folk songs and dances, barter trade are in addition to The above.
The World Incense Day	28^th Jun	16^th Jul	5^th Jul	Gods in heaven are believed to descend to The mortal world on TDis day. Incense in burnt in large scales and picnicking is done in public parks.
Six-Four Festival	16^th Jul	3^rd Aug	24^th Jul	It is believed in The Buddha gave his first sermon on TDis day. People celebrate The festival by paying visits to holy mountains.
"Shoton" Festival	11^th - 15^th Aug	29^th Aug - 2^nd Sep	19^th - 23^rd Aug	It is The opera festival and The greatest festivals in Tibet. In ancient times pious folks went into mountain hermitages for penance, and on The last day of which Yoghort was served for meal followed by entertainment of folk songs and daces. Since 7^th century, opera performances were held for days in Norbu Lingka. Presently, opera contests and distribution of prizes are held for seven days.
Bathing Week	9^th Sep	8^th Sep	8^th Sep	It is believed when The sacred planet Venus appears in The sky, The water in The river becomes purest and cures diseases. During its appearance for one week in The sky, all The people in Tibet go Into The river for baTDing.
Death of Tsongkapa	2^nd Dec	25^th Dec	10^th Dec	Tsongkapa, The great reformer of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of The Gelukpa Sect, died on TDis day in 1419. In memory of The day every household burn countless butter lamps on The roof -- tops and chant prayers in his honor. Later in The evening Tibetan dumpling is served forsupper.
Driving off Evil Spirits	4^th Feb, 2000	22^nd Feb, 2001	11^th Feb, 2002	At The eve of Tibetan New Year, 29^th of The 12^th monTD religious dances are performed in monasteries for driving off evil spirits of The past year. At nigh in every household traditional means of driving off evil spirits is carried on by burning bundles of straws and TDrowing rubbish on crossroads, "Year-end dumpling" is served for supper.