Losoong Festival
| Losoong | |
|---|---|
 A new year festival at Lachung monastery in North Sikkim | |
| Official name | Losoong |
| Also called | Sonam Losoong, Namsoong |
| Observed by | Bhutias, Lepchas |
| Significance | Sikkimese New Year Lepcha New Year |
| Date | 1st day of the 11th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. |
| 2023 date | 13 December |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Galdan Namchot, Gyalpo Lhosar, Sonam Lhosar, Tamu Lhosar |
| Part of a series on |
| Tibetan Buddhism |
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Losoong marks the end of harvest season,[1] of the Bhutia tribe, celebrated every year in December.
Tradition
[edit]Based on the Tibetan Lunar Calendar
- Losoong falls on the 1st day of the 11th month, when farmers celebrate the harvest.[2]
- It is a traditional festival of the Bhutias. It is a time when the farmers rejoice and celebrate their harvest. The Lepchas also celebrate it and call it Namsoong. It is celebrated by inviting friends and family with traditional gaity and celebrations.[3]
- The festival have been adapted from the traditions and rituals of the Tibetan New Year, Losar.
- The festival is preceded by masked dance at the Phodong and Rumtek Monasteries in Sikkim.[4]
Losoong is celebrated not only in India but also in Nepal and Bhutan.
The dance forms performed in the festival depict narrativized tales from the life of Padmasambhava (or Guru Ugyen).[5]
Celebration
[edit]Celebration begins after the priest offers 'Chi-Fut', special alcohol, to the gods. After the offering to gods the effigy of the demon King is burnt. Burning the demon represents destroying the evil.
Certain competitions are organized and merrymaking lasts for several days. The festival is also called Sonam Losoong.
References
[edit]- ^ "Losoong (Sikkimese New Year)". Windhorse Tours. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "State Portal, Government of Sikkim, India - Festivals In Sikkim". www.sikkim.gov.in. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ FTD.Travel. "Lepcha(Losoong), Bhutia(Namsoong), Sonam Lhochar - Sikkim New Year". www.ftd.travel. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ Ray, Arundhati (2001). Sikkim: A Traveller's Guide. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 9788178240084.
- ^ "Lasoong festival is celebrated in which of the following states? - General Knowledge Today". www.gktoday.in. Retrieved 16 September 2018.