The Lunar New Year Festival in Bhutan is the most important holiday in the country. The festival falls in February or March, depending on the lunar cycle. The common Losar (“New Year” in Dzonghka) greeting is "tashi delek."

For three days during the Lunar New Year people celebrate by following traditional customs.  One of these unique customs is partaking in archery competitions.  Men across the country try to hit targets from varying distances up to 100 meters while women dance and cheer for the competitors. Every village in Bhutan arranges archery competitions for the New Year festivities. 

Each day of the celebration starts with a traditional breakfast and prayer ceremony at home. Villagers offer food to the spirits of their household shrines and then pray at local temples. People spend time relaxing with their families and friends.

The Bhutanese community of Prem Tinsulanonda International School gathered for dinner at an Indian restaurant in Chiang Mai, Le Spice, on 9 February 2016. As Bhutan and India are neighbouring countries, Bhutanese people enjoy Indian food. Before eating, students and teachers wished good health and prosperity to their families. It was a wonderful celebration.

Tashi Delek!

Ajarn Sonam