Strong festive atmosphere of Saga Dawa Festival in Lhasa

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

If you travel to Tibet in this May, you will feel strong festive atmosphere of Saga Dawa Festival in Lhasa starting from May 10, 2013 and lasting to early June. The highlights of a Saga Dawa Festival Tour in 2013 will fall on May 25th, 2013.

During the Saga Dawa Festival, people coming from far and near, had started their ritual Buddhist worshiping activities, reciting the Six-Syllable Prayers and spinning their praying-wheels in early morning of the first day of the festival.

The sun was shining and the sky slightly blue. All was quiet in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, which was enveloped in burning incense.

At about eight o'clock, after putting a pad on the smooth stone, many pilgrims had begun to make full-body kowtow in front of the Jokhang Temple. The believers rose up and put their hands together, then prostrated on the ground with their mouth reciting the Six-Syllable Prayers.

In front of the incense burner, smoke curled up. People rushed to grab tsampa, staple food of Tibetan people, from their tsampa pocket, and threw them onto the burning incense while adding cypress and praying loudly.

The "Saga Dawa Festival", which usually lasts for one month from every April 1 to 30 on the Tibetan calendar, is celebrated for Shakyamuni's birth, nirvana and enlightenment on April 15 on the Tibetan calendar, according to legend.

During the festival, Tibetans tend to carry out various celebrations and help the poor through their benefactions.

Kunjor Chozin, a monk from a local monastery of the Lhoka Prefecture, had been reciting the "Sharanagamana Sutras" since he got up in the early morning, then, he prayed for a moment with his mouth reciting the Six-Syllable Prayers after adding ghee and changing water in his worshipping hall.

Kunjor Chozin said taking ritual walks and freeing captive animals are main way for Buddhist believers to express their pious hearts.

For thousands of years, Tibetan Buddhism followers pilgrim and pray in Lhasa, forming the three major praying paths of Lhasa, including the "Bakuo" Street that encircles the Jokhang Temple, the "Zekuo" Street surrounding the Potala Palace, and the "Lingkhor" Street around Lhasa.

During the "Saga Dawa Festival", pilgrims gradually take ritual walks from about five o'clock every morning; some even go outside at three or four o'clock.

Pilgrims usually take their ritual walks from the "Lingkhor" Street, and then go to the "Zekuo" Street surrounding the Potala Palace, and walk the "Bakuo" Street that encircles the Jokhang Temple at last.

In the praying way of the "Lingkhor" Street, about 11 km long, one can see the rush pilgrims in an endless stream chanting Buddhist scriptures. Even for a strong person, it has to take about two hours to walk a circle around the "Lingkhor"Street.

Luo Song, a business man from the Qamdo Prefecture, droved to Lhasa with his newly bought car to attend the praying activity with his friends. "I come here specially to attend the Saga Dawa Festival, and pray for the family safety and a thriving business," said Luo.

Kunjor Chozin said "for our Buddhists, the Saga Dawa Festival is the most important. We will sincerely pray and wish everyone and everything goes well. Tashi delek!"

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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