Darjeeling/Gangtok, March 3 – Hundreds of Tibetans, who had fled their Chinese occupied homeland more than four decades ago, today celebrated Losar (Lo means year and Sar stands for new), with traditional fervour and gaiety in the Darjeeling hills and neighbouring Sikkim.
Tibetans are bidding adieu to Lunar Year 2129 (Year of Horse) and welcoming 2130 (Year of Water Sheep).
“The celebrations in the capital Lhasa are largely symbolic these days. But in Dharamsala (capital of the Tibetan government-in-exile) and Darjeeling hills, which boasts of a huge Tibetan population, we try to keep the festive spirit alive,” said Karma Choeyling, Tibetan Welfare Officer.
Today being the first day of the festival — known as Tsewa-chik in their language — the Tibetans started the day early in the morning and offered khada (ceremonial Tibetan scarf) to the family altar.
“We use chamba (flour) for the rituals. Chaang (a home-made rice brew) is then served to all the family members,” said Choeling.
Later in the day, the close-knit community savoured Dase, a delicacy made of rice, butter, dry fruits and sugar. Then they got busy making Khapsha, (a kind of cookies), and took part in song and dance programmes to usher in the Year of Water Sheep. “Today it was entirely a family affair. Tomorrow, we will pay a visit to our relatives and other members of our community. It is known as Tsewa-Nyi,” the Tibetan Welfare Officer added.
In neighbouring Sikkim, the Tibetans along with a large number of Sikkimese, celebrated Losar.
Besides capital Gangtok, the festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Ravangla, a subdivisional town in south Sikkim, which boasts of a sizeable Tibetan population.
