Losoong Festival Explained
See also: Indian New Year's days.
| Holiday Name: | Losoong |
| Type: | Buddhism |
| Official Name: | Losoong |
| Nickname: | Sonam Losoong, Namsoong |
| Observedby: | Bhutias, Lepchas |
| Significance: | Sikkimese New Year
Lepcha New Year |
| Date: | 1st day of the 11th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. |
| Date2023: | 13 December |
| Scheduling: | Changes as per the Sikkimese calendar |
| Duration: | Several days |
| Frequency: | Annual |
Losoong marks the end of harvest season,[1] of the Bhutia tribe, celebrated every year in December.
Tradition
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
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. Losoong festival is very famous in eastern India.
Notes and References
- News: Losoong (Sikkimese New Year) . Windhorse Tours . 2017-08-11.
- Web site: State Portal, Government of Sikkim, India - Festivals In Sikkim. www.sikkim.gov.in. 2017-08-11.
- Web site: Lepcha(Losoong), Bhutia(Namsoong), Sonam Lhochar - Sikkim New Year. FTD.Travel. www.ftd.travel. 2017-08-11.
- Book: Ray, Arundhati. Sikkim: A Traveller's Guide. 2001. Orient Blackswan. 9788178240084.
- Web site: Lasoong festival is celebrated in which of the following states? - General Knowledge Today. www.gktoday.in. en-US. 2018-09-16.
