This festival is celebrated for the
welcome of the winter season. The local deity is worshipped with the hope
that the winter would be happy and prosperous for the local people.
The Festivity
Ritual dances and an unbelievably rich imagery mark Lossar. This is
celebrated in Buddhist areas throughout the state-while Lahaul's monasteries
have some of the most spectacular performances.
On its eve, the stylised 'Chhaam' dance and elaborate costumes and masks,
commemorate the assassination of the cruel Tibetan king, 'Langdarma' in the
9th century. Often-though wrongly-called the devil dance, it symbolises the
triumph of good over evil.
It is celebrated on 25th of eleventh month of local calendar, which is from
mid November to first week of December.