Losoong is the Sikkimese New Year, of the Bhutia tribe, celebrated every year in December.

Tradition

Based on the Tibetan Lunar Calendar * Losoong falls on the 18th day of the 10th month, when farmers celebrate the harvest. * It is a traditional festival of the Bhutias, but the Lepchas also celebrate it and call it Namsoong. * The festival have been adapted from the traditions and rituals of the Tibetan New Year,

Losar Losar (; "new year"William D. Crump, "Losar" in ''Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide'' (McFarland & Co.: 2008), pp. 237-38.) also known as Tibetan New Year, is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism. The holiday is celebrated on various d ...

. * The festival is conducted at the

Phodong Phodong is a town 38 kilometers north of Gangtok, the capital of the Indian state of Sikkim in North Sikkim district. Phodong is famous for the " Phodong Monastery" and the "Labrang Monastery" which is situated at a slightly higher altitude ...

and Rumtek Monasteries in Sikkim. * Namsoong festival is celebrated every year, in Upper Dzongu region at the confluence of river Teesta and Rongyung Chu.
/sup> Losoong is not only celebrated in India but its also celebrated in Nepal and Bhutan. The dance forms performed in the festival depict narrativized tales from the life of Padmasambhava (or Guru Ugyen).

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.

References

{{New Year by Calendar Sikkim Tibetan festivals Buddhist festivals in Nepal Festivals in India New Year in India New Year celebrations Cultural festivals in India Religious festivals in India Festivals in Bhutan Festivals in Nepal Buddhist festivals in India Buddhist festivals in Bhutan