The ten-day long festival of Losar festival has begun in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir with illumination of religious and residential places on the eve of the festival. This festival marks the beginning of New Year in Ladakh and it is an important social and religious celebration in Ladakh. Losar is Tibetan word for ‘new year’. Following the old tradition, people from Ladakh visit graveyards of ancestor family members and pray for peace for the departed soul. On third day of the festival is people wait for the night to see the first moon of the New Year.
History of Losar
Losar was first celebrated in the Lhokha Yarla Shampo region of Tibet when the apricot trees blossomed, during that time, the festival was known as the Agrarian Festival. As time overtakes, the festival Losar is celebrated by Yolmo, Tamang, Sherpa, Gurung, and Bhutia of different regions in the country and have their own respective new year.
Losar in India
In India, the festival is celebrated in the Buddhists County particularly in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Zanskar. Losar is usually celebrated in February or March; however the festivities dates can vary between regions to regions.
Jammu and Kashmir
- Summer Capital – Sri Nagar
- Winter Capital – Jammu
- Chief Minister – Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
- Governor – NN Vohra
