Saga Dawa Festival

Saga Dawa Festival is an influential religious festival in Tibet. It represents April in Tibetan calendar. Buddhism believes that Sakyamuni was born, became Buddha and attained nirvana in April, so the Saga Dawa Festival mainly focuses on worshipping Buddha in the inner, middle and outer parts of Lhasa. All the activities last through the whole month.

Circumambulation of Outer Part of Lhasa

The festival reaches its climax on April 15, which is considered the birthday and the day that Sakyamuni entered nirvana. Buddhist followers walk around the outer part of Lhasa on this day. 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 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.