Sagaalgan — Buddhist New Year (02/02)

In Buddhist tradition, the New Year celebration — Sagaalgana — occurs on different dates — between the end of January and mid-March, on the first spring new moon according to the lunar calendar.

The date of the New Year according to the lunar calendar is calculated annually using astrological tables. Due to differences in astrological calculations, given that in each territory the lunar day begins in due time, in different countries the dates of the holiday may not coincide. For example, in Russia it occurs later than in Asian countries.

Traditionally, on New Year's Eve, the most respected and revered lamas make astrological forecasts for the residents of each country for the next year.

Three days before the holiday, a special prayer service is held in temples dedicated to the dharmapalas — of the ten protective deities of the Teaching. The greatest veneration among them is given to the goddess Sri Devi (tib. Baldan Lhamo), who is considered the patroness of the Tibetan capital Lhasa. A separate prayer service (Baldan Lhamo) is held in her honor.

To receive the blessing of the goddess, it is recommended not to sleep all night until 6 am — either to attend prayer services in the temple, or to read mantras and do practice at home. For those who do not sleep and turn to her for help, the goddess will provide her protection and help in solving complex issues.

Solemn services of — khuraly take place in the temple throughout the day and night. The prayer service ends at 6 a.m. The abbot congratulates everyone on the new year.

At home, a festive table is set, on which white food (milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, butter) must be present.

On the first day of the year you cannot go to visit; it must be spent with your family. Visiting and visiting relatives begins on the second day and can continue until the end of the month. The entire month is considered festive. White month — is the most favorable time for performing cleansing rituals.

Before the New Year, a special rite of purification — Gutor is held in all houses, during which all failures and all bad things accumulated over the previous year are thrown out of the house and from the life of every person «. It is performed by a lama invited to the house with the participation of all family members. After the end of the festive meal, the leftover food, along with coins, rags, candle and hadak (a special scarf that is given to guests during greetings as a sign of respect), is placed in a large bowl, where a humanoid figurine sculpted from dough and painted red (torma) is also placed.

All together it serves as a «ransom» that should cause evil and failure to leave the house. In the evening, by the light of a lantern, people carry these objects to a vacant lot by the road and throw them away, turning to evil with the words: «Get out of here!». After this, they quickly return without looking back (according to legend, if a person turns around, then evil can return with him).

On New Year's days, the ceremony of launching the «con of the wind of good luck» takes place. The horse of the wind of good luck — is a symbol showing the state of human well-being. The image of the «horse of the wind of good luck», consecrated in the temple, is tied to a tree or placed on the roof of a house in such a way that it must flutter in the wind. The «horse of the wind of good luck» is believed to serve as a powerful defense against misfortune and disease, attracting attention and calling for the help of deities. His image also symbolizes the wish for health, happiness and prosperity in the new year to all living beings.

10