New Year 2021 At Lhodrak Kharchu

Iron Female Ox Year 2021

There are several days in a year which are remembered by us. I've no issues with any of the days and I enjoy almost every day equally but sometimes, once in a blue moon, it so happens that you do not want to forget some days for strong reasons. And I’ve a reasons why I should pen these particular days. Losar which translates into New Year is one of the most remarkable event's I've ever noticed. This year is Iron Female Ox Year according to calendar of Tibetan buddhism. Let's hope this new year brings peace and prosperity unlike its precedent. In our monastery, led my Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, the day got its real essence of calling it as Losar and I couldn't hold back but share with you guys those moments through this digital diary of mine. Hope you'll enjoy reading, at least I expect that way. 

Auspicious Soup

By the way this is not first day of the new year but people will begin from this day itself by drinking auspicious soup since it is the last day of the old year. 

Source: Tibetan Dictionary.

I went to try what kind of omens I've for the new year. Honestly I couldn't identify symbolic object neither asked anyone. I don't know if it got dissolved into dumpling? As per the symbolic objects I was in neither of them. I'm optimistic and consider it as a good omen only. 

Losar Day

It falls on the very first day of a new year. In our monastery, monks woke up early in the morning, performed Mipham Rinpoche's liturgical method for invoking the blessings of Shakyamuni Buddha, tara practice, three roots ritual and petition-offering to dharma protectors. His holiness also bestowed life empowerment of one of the Maha Siddhis Thangthong Gyalpo who explicitly got empowered at the celestial palace of Guru Rinpoche in Zangdo Pelri. H.H. briefed us how Drupthob lived 125 years after that. 

Flour blessing 

Last day or third day of a new year celebration is remembered for flour blessing. After performing lhasang (incense offering) some senior monks gathers at the courtyard and recite common chant and then toss flour in the open air. All the participants end up covering themselves with flour. Some goes to other places throwing flour at acquaintance and even at strangers. 

In one of the websites, (https://samyeinstitute.org/sangha-updates/losar-tibetan-new-year/) 'This shower of tsampa increases the prosperity, health, and happiness of sentient beings. It also raises ‘wind horse,’ or luck,  bringing forth auspicious circumstances.'

Pictures

I did not carry phone in the morning hours therefore first four pictures are copyright reserve of Kharchu Editorial Committee page in Facebook. 

Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche Giving Blessing.

Devotees.

Monks and devotees in queue offering Tashi Delek to H.H.

Tshok.

Sumptuous Lunch.

Splendid Dining.

Monks dancing on Ko-Ka-Lay-Ko song. 

Serving Zaw.

Hot tea served.

Monks showering flour at private residence.

Jurmey and I escaped from monastery but we couldn't as they've managed to cover private residences. We were returning monastery after having lunch at my elder brother's house and fortunately or unfortunately those monks were on round throwing flour at anybody. I could hardly run away from, in my estimation, ten of them. They didn't spare us let alone householders. Of course it's blessings, to be precise.