Dechen Spalzes
The joy of celebration starts in the lost city of snow in cold winter. Losar is the biggest celebration, people awaits with great happiness and enthusiasm. Celebrated on eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar, two months ahead of the Tibetan Newyear. In 17 century, Ladakhi king Jamyang Namgyal decided to lead an expedition against Baltist force in Winter, therefore he decided to celebrate two months before. Later it became a tradition and celebrated every two month before Tibetan New year.
It starts with the Galdan Namchot, the day to mark Buddhahood of Tsongkhapa, a Tibetan scholar who founded Gelukpa sect in 14th century. It is customary to prepare special noodle called Guthuk, which should be made up of nine different ingredient including various grain and cheese. Dough ball are made by putting various things hidden inside including, wool, chili, coal etc. to comment on one’s character. Indicating different characters like wool, rice inside the dough ball considered to be the good sign and coal, chili indicating bad sign. The finest decorations are put in the house to mark the celebration of New Year. Local brew called Chang is prepared in every household.
The celebration begins with the prayers to the God and Goddesses common to the group of families known as Faspun. It is not only celebration but family ancestors are also remembered by offering delicious food and lightning the traditional lamps in front of the graveyard.
Losar is 15 daylong celebration considering first three days to be the most special. Bonfire, traditional dance and moreover spending time with the dearest and nearest ones.
In a popular saying of Ladakh lonan gyaba phong, losama dunla sus) meaning that to forget the past and look forward for the bright and prosperous new year.
Over the year the tradition celebration of Losar has been losing its essence. Modernization has both negative and positive impact on the society. On one hand Ladakh moving into more competitive tourism business providing growth to huge service sector and on other hand slowly was changing its precious value and cultural system. Earlier during Losar, everyone gathers at home, local brew is prepared and moreover ample of time is spend with friends, family and relative, it was a time to get together. Now from Local brew to costly whiskey, vodka and Champaign, Ladakhi society has changed in every ways. From mud house to concrete cement.
Earlier when Ladakhi society is stable, where no one is so rich nor so poor. It was an equalitarian society.
With the growing tourism and Ladakh coming into limelight of natural beauty, the people in the main centers overtime became very rich and started opening guest, hotels and markets that serviced tourist. Those who are in village still remain unaffected of tourism. Society got divided into rich and poor, divides like middle class, upper class started creating which was very new to Ladakhi society.
Now to celebrate Losar, only few people are left to mark the Auspiciousness of the celebration.
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