Losar (Tibetan New Year)
The Tibetan Buddhist New Year, renewal, purification, and welcoming good fortune.
Losar begins on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan lunisolar calendar, usually in February or early March. It often falls near Chinese New Year but can differ by a month, and some Himalayan communities keep their own Losar on other dates.
When Is Losar (Tibetan New Year)?
Losar begins on the first day of the first month of the Tibetan lunisolar calendar, usually in February or early March. It often falls near Chinese New Year but can differ by a month, and some Himalayan communities keep their own Losar on other dates.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
Losar ('Lo' = year, 'Sar' = new) is one of the most important festivals in the Tibetan calendar. Three days of elaborate rituals drive out negativity from the past year and invite auspiciousness into the new year.
How It Is Observed
Preparing Guthuk stew on New Year's Eve, household purification rituals, offerings to protector deities, monastery Cham dances, exchanging 'Tashi Delek' (good luck) greetings, burning juniper incense.
Sacred Text
“May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness. May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.”
, Four Immeasurables prayer (Tibetan Buddhist tradition) ↗