Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Dec 15: In view of the upcoming Losar, the Ladakhi New Year, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) today appealed the people to celebrate the festival in a low-key manner.
The appeal was made in light of the five people who lost their lives in connection with the Ladakh demand, those injured in the September 24 incident and the many individuals who are still locked up in jails.
Addressing to the media persons, LBA president, Chering Dorjay Lakrook said, “Losar can be observed in a simple and restrained manner, while continuing essential traditional and auspicious rituals such as offering and greetings and other customary ceremonies.”
Dorjay appealed to the public not to use firecrackers, citing their adverse environmental impact and requested the UT administration to strictly monitor and check the use of firecrackers during Losar celebrations.
“In previous years, Losar was celebrated on a grand scale over several days, with mega cultural programmes also held at Leh Market. All such celebrations will remain suspended this year during Losar,” he added.
Traditionally in Leh, Losar begins with a musical offering known as ‘Lharnga’ and the offering of sacred white scarf, khatak, to the statue of Chow Rinpoche at Chowkhang Vihara.
People dressed in traditional attire usually throng the Vihara to offer khataks and pray for an auspicious beginning to the Losar festival and a prosperous year ahead.
However, this year, as Chowkhang Vihara is under reconstruction, the symbolic rituals, including the hoisting of prayer flags and the offering of khataks to the statue of Chow Rinpoche, will be held at the Dharma Center, Choglamsar, on December 20, the day of Losar.
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