Saka Dawa Festival
( 2005-10-27 )

The Saka Dawa Festival falls on April 15 of the Tibetan calendar.

According to the legend, it was all on the 15th of the fourth month when Sakyamuni was born, achieved enlightenment and attained nirvana, so various activities are held to commemorate Sakyamuni in this month of every year. All the activities during the Festival constitute the large-scale activity of Zhuanjing (circumambulation).

Saka Dawa means the "Disu month" in the Tibetan language. Disu is one of the 28 astrological constellations of the Tibetan calendar. Because Disu appears in the fourth month, it is called the Disu month.

Pilgrims and secular people visitLhasa, and the festival is observed by turning prayer wheels, having vegetarian lunches and a picnic at theDragonKing Pond. Sutra chanting, prayer turning, Cham dancing and other religious activities dominate the session.

Tibetans believe that one good deed equals myriad good deeds accumulated on other days. On this day, they keep from killing animals, refrain from eating meat and offer alms. Hence, it is also known as the Festival for Releasing Living Things.

Offering sacrifices to the female deity enshrined in thetempleon the islet of the Dragon King Pond, boating in the pond and picnicking add to the festive mood.

During this period, hundreds of thousands of people turn their prayer wheels on the streets of Lhasa. Almost every person within Lhasa joins in the circumambulations round the city and spends the late afternoon picnicking at Dzongyab Lukhang Park at the foot of thePotala Palace.