Tibetans-in-exile offer prayers on third day of Losar, pray for long life of Dalai Lama

DHARAMSHALA: The Tibetans-in-Exile in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala offered special Sang-Sol (incense burning) prayers on the third day of Losar, the Tibetan New Year, and prayed for the long life of the Dalai Lama and worshipped Mother Nature. Sang means incense, and sol means wake up. Tibetans also call it an incense-burning offering or smoke pooja.

Hundreds of Tibetans gathered at the Lha Gyari temple in Dharamshala to celebrate this special occasion. They also tied colourful holy flags around this monastery and offered prayers.

According to the Tibetan lunar calendar, this is the 'Wood Sanke' year 2152. Tibetans celebrate Losar for three days; however, in some regions, they also celebrate it for 15 days.

Speaking to ANI, Techung, a Tibetan musician, said, "This is the third day of Losar, our New Year. On the first day we have a family gathering, on the second day visiting friends, and on the third day we have a very special occasion, which is called Sang-Sol, which is incense burning, offering smoke, essences, and foods to the deities, and this is a very ancient kind of pre-Buddhist sort of tradition whereby we honour nature, like water, mountains, and all the spirits, and this is the combination of the new year's third day where the community comes together to honour and respect nature and for the abundance of rain and showers for the future."

He also spoke about the importance of people tying holy flags around the monastery. He said, "These holy flags we call it lungta; they are supposed to carry your good wishes and spirits and also to honour spirits of the nature. This is basically for good luck to your family, to your beloved teachers."

Tsering, a Tibetan in exile, said, "It's the third day of Losar, the Tibetan New Year. We are doing a Sang-Sol just to pray for the long life of his holiness the Dalai Lama. These flags represent four elements: sky, earth, water, and fire, so it's just for good luck. These are our rituals to pray for the good luck and long life of the Dalai Lama." (ANI)

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