Context:
- The traditional festival of Losar was celebrated in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir to mark the beginning of New Year in this Himalayan region.
- The 10 day long festival began with illumination of religious and residential places and by visiting monasteries for prayer.
About Losar festival
- The Losar festival marks the beginning of New year in Ladakh and Tibet region and falls in December.
- Losar is Tibetan word for ‘new year’.
- It is considered to be the most important festival of the region.
- It is an important social and religious celebration in Ladakh.
- Ladakhi Buddhists make religious offering before their deities in the domestic shrines or in the Gompas.
- A medley of cultural events, ancient rituals and also traditional performances are performed during this festival.
- There is blaring music events accompanied with dancing and celebration, dinner with relatives.
- Houses are decorated with good luck signs. Prayer flags are hoisted in important religious places to welcome the new year.
Source:PIB