![]() Losar Festival of Tawang District The festival of 'Losar' is celebrated with pomp in the latter portion of the month of February and the earlier part of March every year. It continues for a period of eight to fifteen days. Lion dances and yak dances are performed by youngsters during this festival. On the very first day of Losar festival, some members of the family follow a ritual of fetching a bucket of water during the early dawn and offer incense near the source of the water. After this is done, a scarf is tied around the water tap. A liquor known as 'Chang' is offered, accompanied by 'chemar' to please the Nagas, as well as the evil spirit. When they return home, the family members then visit the chapel wherein lamps are lighted and some prayers are recited for seeking blessings for peace and harmony. Everyone is then served hot chang, along with 'khabsay' and 'looves', as a gesture of conveying best wishes to all and sundry. During this festival, religious flags are flown from the terraces of several local homes. 'Torgya Festival' of Tawang District Torgya is a significant Monastic festival which is observed on the 28th day of the 11th month of the lunal calendar. This occurs in January, usually. It is believed that this festival eliminates the evil spirits, ailments and numerous natural disasters. Masked dances, which consist of some gracefully choreographed steps is the major attraction of Torgya. The dances are done inside the courtyard of the Tawang Monastery. Choekhor Festival of Tawang District The Choekhor festival is conducted by the entire village in order to bestow divine protection to the regional crops and also to alleviate the ill effects of the evil spirits which are feared to adversely affect the communities residing in the villages. The monks recite prayers for the well-being of agriculture and newly planted crops and religious flags are flown by the monks, in the religious processions which are carried out in this festival. Two 'Kong-Yoks', who are followed by innumerable regional people leads this procession. ![]() Gaden Ngamchoe Festival of Tawang District Gaden Ngamchoe festival is celebrated on the 25th day of the lunar month to mark the death anniversary of the founder Gelukpa named Tsong Khapa. The Gelukpa is an order of Tibetan Buddhism. Lamps are lit towards the evening on the rooftops of houses and also the verandahs of several homes and monasteries. Dukpa Tse-She Festival' of Tawang District The Dukpa Tse-She festival is celebrated to pay tribute to the delivery of religious sermon by Lord Buddha inside the Deer Park at Sarnath. During this festival, residents of this district visit the monasteries and chant prayers. It is observed on the fourth day of the lunar calendar's sixth month. 'Saga Dawa Festival' of Tawang District Saka Dawa festival falls on the fourth month of lunar calendar and it is celebrated to mark the attainment of 'Nirvana' by Gautama Buddha. |