FYI:
Losar festival is celebrated by Tibetan people and is marked with ancient ceremonies that represents the struggle between good and evil, by chanting, and by passing fire torches through the crowds. Since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D., the first day of the first month became fixed as the New Year. A certain amount of levity is provided by events such as the dance of the deer and the amusing battles between the King and his various ministers. Losar Festival is characterized especially by dancing, music, and a general spirit of merrymaking.

On the New Year’s Day, families unite “auspicious dipper” is offered and the auspicious words “tashi delek” are greeted. Young Tibetans wear chuba and pay their first visit of the year to a temple with their family early in the morning. On New Year’s Day, Tibetans are supposed to offer ornaments called ‘Chemar’ and barley beer to their households’ deity and to the water dragon that takes care of their water supply. Be careful as the “beer” served is strong enough to get drunk. On New Year day, Tibetan village women compete with each other to be the first one to take water from their village’s well, which is said to bring good luck.

After saying ‘Tashi Delek’ and exchanging greetings with neighbors, Tibetans do nothing but feast on the food and drink that they have painstakingly prepared. They visit each others’ feasts and have parties full of drinking and singing. The men don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy gambling, with games of ‘Sho’ (dice), ‘Pakchen’ (mah-jong), etc. On New Year’s Day everyone spends time with their family or neighbors and then start paying visits to their relatives on the second day. Children also have a good time New Year’s gifts of candies, etc.

On the 3rd day they replace the year old tar-choks and dar-shings on the roof of their houses with new ones and burn thick bunches of ‘Sang’ (mulberry leaves).