Tibetan New Year - Happy Losar

We’re in Dharamsala on Losar which is the Tibetan New Year. A large number of Tibetan refugees and the Dalai Lama being based here means that Losar is a major festival and we’ve seen traditional Tibetan outfits everywhere for the past couple of days.

Interestingly Losar predates Buddism with its roots in a harvest festival and elemental celebrations. We’re guessing the fire element comes in with the smoke offerings - of which we have seen and smelt a lot! Interestingly, there are 5 elements honored here - earth, water, fire, air, and space. This fifth element of space is believed to be the container that holds the other four elements – earth, air, fire, and water and it speaks to the vastness, openness, and emptiness that is the fundamental nature of reality. [A quick interesting detour from the New Year - In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, the element of space is associated with the throat chakra, which is believed to govern communication and self-expression and is the basis for the interconnectedness of all things. It’s been fun to explore this fifth element, but that’s for another time.] Losar brings with it some lovely traditions and practices. Preparation includes thoroughly cleaning their homes (We wish it would also be cleaning the streets, but that is also for another time). Debts are settled, quarrels are resolved, and special foods are made and displayed in offerings. To symbolize a good harvest barley ears are also displayed. Dancing, singing, offerings, and visiting family and friends are all part of bringing in the new year. We are truly blessed to be here now and will say "Tashi Delek" to all the Tibetan people we see. It, means 'good luck and happiness'.

@ingridlotze & @gavinmoffat

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Wife, husband, partners loving the nomad / work / lifestyle and the privileges it offers. #NomadWorkLifestyle. Luggage fits 7 t-shirts each.

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