Sagar Dawa Festival

Sagar Dawa Festival is an influential religious festival in Tibet.

Sagar Dawa represents April in Tibetan calendar. Buddhism believes that Sakyamuni was born, became Buddha and died in April, so the Sagar Dawa Festival mainly focuses on worshipping Buddha in the inner, middle and outer parts of Lhasa. All the activities last through the whole month. The grandest one is on April 15 when the Buddhist followers walk around the outer part of Lhasa. They recite scriptures while walking on the 8,000-metre-long outer ring of Lhasa, forming a grand troop. Passing by mulberry stoves or fires, they add cypress branches, mugwort, Chinese photinia or zamba. At intersections of roads, they will put off their hats to bow towards the direction of the Potala Palace. In the afternoon, they all get together at Zongjolukang (Dragon King's Pool) at the back of the Red Hill, where they boat, sing, dance and entertain themselves.

The festival reaches its climax on April 15, which is considered the birthday and the day that Sakyamuni entered nirvana.

Travel to Tibet to join this unique event?

Access Tibet Tour provide tailor-made tour planning and operation. Contact us right now and don't miss this great festival!

Other Tibetan Festivals