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Mark your calendars for a vibrant cultural celebration; Losar, also known as the Tibetan New Year, falls on February 10. Losar festivities blend ancient rituals with regional customs, offering a kaleidoscope of rich traditions that date back to pre-Buddhist times in Tibet. It's a time when houses are cleaned and decorated, traditional food is prepared, and families come together to bid goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new. With prayers, feasts, and numerous joyful customs, Losar ushers in positivity and fresh starts. Prepare to immerse yourself in this magnificent celebration of Tibetan culture and life! Let the spirit of Losar fill your hearts and homes with abundant blessings!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Pre-600 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Indigenous Tibetan Festival</div><div class='timeline-text'>Before the arrival of Buddhism, the festival of Losar already existed, marking the start of the agricultural year in the Tibetan highlands.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>7th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Buddhist Influence</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Buddhist influence on Losar strengthened during the reign of the Buddhist kings of Tibet in the 7th Century onwards.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>17th Century</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Losar as New Year's Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the 17th Century, the Mongol ruler and convert to Buddhism, Güshi Khan, officially marked Losar as the start of the Tibetan lunar new year.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1959</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Exiled Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>After the Tibetan uprising, the 14th Dalai Lama and many Tibetans in exile kept Losar traditions alive outside Tibet.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Muted Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>In 2012, Tibetans in the region and abroad chose to mark Losar with subdued celebrations, in respect for individuals who self-immolated to protest Chinese rule.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Create a Losar shrine</h3><p class='facts-text'>Add color and positivity to your home by setting up a little Losar shrine. Fill it with traditional elements like photos of lamas, flowers, candles, Buddha statues, incense and tsampa (roasted barley flour), which are common in Tibetan homes during Losar.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cook traditional Tibetan food</h3><p class='facts-text'>Food plays a significant role in Losar celebrations. Cook up a Tibetan feast with dishes like "Guthuk", a noodle soup eaten on the eve of Losar and "Khapse" which are sweet, deep-fried pastries. Cooking and enjoying these traditional foods will give you a taste of the Tibetan culture.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Wear Tibetan attire</h3><p class='facts-text'>Dress in traditional Tibetan clothes for the day. A chuba for women or a reshampa for men could make you feel a part of the Losar events even more deeply. Encourage friends and family to join you in embracing Tibetan culture through attire.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Join in cultural dances</h3><p class='facts-text'>Get moving and embrace the spirit of Losar by learning and performing traditional Tibetan dances. From the graceful Ache Lhamo dance to the energetic Shabro, these group dances will bring joy and positivity into your celebration.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Organize a prayer session</h3><p class='facts-text'>Losar is also a time for spiritual reflection. Arrange a small prayer session at home, reciting mantras or prayers for peace, prosperity, and good health in the coming year. You could even involve friends and family, transmitting positive vibes all around!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebrating Cultural Heritage and Traditions</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Losar gives us a wonderful opportunity to showcase and appreciate rich Tibetan cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions. From creating Losar shrines to preparing traditional Tibetan cuisines, each celebration highlights the beautiful diversity of our global community!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Positive and Joyful Customs</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The customs and rituals associated with Losar usher in a spirit of positivity, fresh starts, and communal harmony. Whether it's taking part in cultural dances or organizing a prayer session for peace and prosperity, each activity is infused with positivity and a sense of communal solidarity.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Introduction to Tibetan Cuisine</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Losar provides the perfect platform for food lovers to get a taste of authentic Tibetan cuisine. Preparing dishes like "Guthuk", a noodle soup, or "Khapse", sweet deep-fried pastries, give people a chance to savour the delicacies of Tibetan culture.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Losar is a Three-Day Celebration</h3><p class='facts-content'>Unlike many holidays that last for just one day, Losar extends across three days, each filled with distinct rituals and traditions that create an immersive experience.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Losar Incorporates Elements of Tibetan Astrology</h3><p class='facts-content'>In preparation for Losar, monks create an intricate astrological calendar known as "Lochoe," indicating the ideal times for various events in the coming year.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Losar Incorporates both Buddhist and Pre-Buddhist Traditions</h3><p class='facts-content'>While many Losar rituals draw from Buddhism, the festival also includes elements of the Bon religion, which predates Buddhism in Tibet, reflecting the rich complexity of Tibetan cultural history.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Traditional Tibetan Games are a Key Part of Losar</h3><p class='facts-content'>During Losar, traditional games like Sho (a kind of board game) are played, fostering community bonding and continuing ancient traditions on a playful note.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Losar Features "Chema Lhabsol," a Unique Masked Dance</h3><p class='facts-content'>On the third day of Losar, a special masked dance known as "Chema Lhabsol" is performed to honor Palden Lhamo, the only female deity among Tibet's protective deities, and a guardian of the Dalai Lama.</p></div></div>
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