Double happiness of Chinese and Tibetan New Year – Dainik Savera Times
February 10, 2024, is the New Year of the Chinese lunar calendar, that is, the Spring Festival, and this day is also the New Year of the Tibetan calendar. Earlier, there were some differences in the timing of Tibetan calendar New Year and Chinese lunar calendar New Year, but in the year 2024, both will be celebrated on the same day, which will bring festive atmosphere and joy throughout the country, especially on the snowy plateau. And will further increase the happiness of the New Year.
According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the 30th of the twelfth month of the year 2023, i.e. February 9, will be the eve of the Spring Festival. It is the night of the last day of the year, which is called “Chhu Xi” in Chinese, “Chhu” means removal, and “Xi” means night, so “Chhu Xi” means removal of the old year. It’s tomorrow night. It is New Year’s Eve. “Chu Xi” has special significance in the hearts of Chinese people. On this most important day of the end of the year, people who go away from home definitely return to reunite with their family members. Family members together say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year. From ancient times to the present day, there have been customs on “Chu Xi” day such as worshiping ancestors, staying up late at night to wait for the New Year, holding reunion dinners, and hanging lanterns.
At the same time, for Tibetan people, according to the Tibetan calendar, the 30th of the 12th month of the year is called “Ku Thu Night”. A dish called “Ku Thu” is eaten on this day. “Ku Thu” is made from beef and mutton, radish, flour etc., in which various items like wool, coins etc. are wrapped. The wool represents softness, while the coins represent good fortune. Anyone who eats these things should spit it out immediately. The joyous atmosphere of New Year’s Eve becomes more beautiful with the laughter and fun of family members.
The New Year or Spring Festival of the Chinese lunar calendar is also called “Xin Chhun” and “Quo Nyen” in Chinese. The spring festival is celebrated from the first day to the fifteenth day of the New Year. It is a festival of worshiping ancestors, praying for blessings, meeting family members, relatives and friends, entertaining and enjoying food and drink. During this time, colorful programs and activities are organized at various places in the country, including dragon dance, lion dance, Miaohui (fair), lantern festival, prayer gathering for blessings, boat dance on land, etc. .
At the same time, the new year of the Tibetan calendar, called “Lwo Sa” in Tibetan language, is the biggest festival of the year for the Tibetan people. Tibetan people believe in Buddhism, festive activities during Tibetan New Year are filled with strong religious atmosphere. It is a festival associated with celebration and prayer. On the morning of the first day of the New Year, Tibetans, carrying auspicious white Hada, go to a nearby temple to worship Buddha statues and visit lamas and gurus with close ties to their families to wish for the New Year. Go near. At sunrise, two people from each family take barley wine and the auspicious “Chye Ma” dish and greet each other in the village for the New Year. After this, after returning home, the family members eat lunch together, drink wine, sing and dance.
In China, whether it is the Spring Festival of the lunar calendar, or the New Year festival of the Tibetan calendar, it is celebrated from the 1st to the 15th. Every day has a different tradition to be celebrated. The 15th day of the New Year is called “Yuan Xiao” festival, this day is mainly based on the tradition of viewing lanterns. In addition, a series of traditional folk activities like eating glutinous rice balls, guessing lantern riddles and setting off fireworks are also organised.
After the 15-day celebration, people return back full of New Year energy to start their life and work again.
(Credits- China Media Group, Beijing)
