Lingka Festival
( 2005-10-27 )

The festival starts April 15 on the Tibetan calendar and ends early in eighth month.

Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, is very cold in winter and windy in spring, but in summer it is beautiful and charming: bright sunshine, little wind and flowing rivers are the norm. At that time, the Tibetans, who love the outdoors, camp out in the lingkas (parks) along the Lhasa River during the Lingka Festival.

According to tradition, the festival starts from the Saka Dawa Festival (on the 15th day of the fourth Tibetan month), and reaches climaxes during the Incense Festival (on the 15th day of the fifth month) and the Shoton Festival (on the first day of the seventh month). It ends during the Bathing Festival, early in the eighth month.

Every time the festival comes around, Tibetans dress up in their best clothes and rush to the lingkas. Families set up tents in the woods. Most are white, with simple decorations. People set up cooking facilities, chairs and tables upon which they place all kinds of food, dishes and beverages.

The festival activities are varied and colorful, and are centered on worshipping the gods and recreation. Many take part in sporting competitions. In recent years, the activities have become more and more colorful, and color televisions, video recorders, karaoke machines and electronic games have all moved into the tents. People sing, dance, tell stories, play games and drink day and night. Sometimes, they watch films, artistic performances andTibetan opera.

Followers of the Red Sect ofBuddhismfrom eastern Tibet attract attention with their sturdy bodies, unique costumes and huge trumpets. Buddhist nuns sit by the roadside in groups, chanting scriptures to the accompaniment of drums. All the scripture readers meet in the lingka at theDragonKing Lake north of thePotala Palace. They presenthadas(ceremonial silk scarves) and buffer lamps[we should explain what a buffer lamp is] to the dragon princess. They also paddle boats on the lake, singing the praises of the dragon princess.

The fifth month by the Tibetan calendar is the best season for lingka. On the 15th day, the residents of Lhasa dress in their best clothes and pray at the Jokhang Monastery and other monasteries. They also burn incense on high places, and scatter glutinous rice cakes, salt and highland barley wine as a prayer for peace and happiness.

The first day of the seventh month by the Tibetan calendar is the Shoton, or Yogurt Festival. In the 18th century, the Norbu Lingka in the western suburbs of Lhasa became the summer holiday resort of the Dalai Lama, and the Shoton Festival was moved there, called the "Norbu Lingka Shoton." From the first day of the seventh month, all people go to the Norbu Lingka to watch Tibetan opera performances.

In early August, the weather starts to get cold. After the Bathing Festival, the leaves began to yellow, and activities in the lingkas disappear. And the Lingka Festival ends.