Lhasa Tours – Saga Dawa Festival

Saga Dwa Festival, one of the most solemn religious festivals which would be celebrated on April 15th according to Tibetan calendar, attracts a large number of tourists to join the Lhasa tours during this period this year just as the usual. In the morning, large number of devout followers of Tibetan Buddhism would make circumambulation with a Tibetan prayer wheel – one of the most symbolic local handicrafts in Lhasa in their hand around Barkhor Street.

Lhasa Tours – Saga Dawa Festival in Lhasa

Various religious ceremonies would be hold for the celebration of Saga Dawa Festival in Jokhang Temple. The pilgrims would come to Jokhang Temple early in the morning. They would express their respect to the Buddhas with devout kowtow. They would also circumambulate around Barkhor Street with a Tibetan prayer wheel in their hand and murmur the Buddhism scriptures repeatedly. Tourists could also join them if you join the Lhasa tours during the celebration of the Saga Dawa Festival.

Some local food in Lhasa would also be used in the ceremony of Saga Dawa Festival, such as the butter and Tsampa. Saga Dawa Festival is the birthday and nirvana day of Sakyamuni, the local Tibetans would stop hunting and abstain from meat and wine during the month. Besides, they would also free captive animals and do some kind works. Hence, tourists are highly advised to respect their traditions and never violate their taboos if you are making Lhasa tours during the Saga Dawa Festival.

Lhasa Tours – Saga Dawa Festival in Shigatse

As the second largest city in Tibet, Shigatse is the most attractive place for tourists. Shigatse acts as the political, religious and cultural center of Tsang in the history. The residence of Panchen Lamas – Tashilhunpo Monastery is also located in Shigatse. It is the largest monastery in this prefecture and has been one of the must-go places for tourist making a visit to Shigatse after the Lhasa tours. It covers an area of 0.15 million square miters and was listed as a key cultural unit under the state protection in 1961.

Large numbers of pilgrims in Tsang would collect at Tashilhunpo Monastery. They circumambulate in the monastery and kowtow in front of the Buddhas. Alms-giving is also one of the most important ceremonies for the celebration of Saga Dawa Festival. They would also free the fishes and other animals so as to ask for blessings from the Buddhas.