Kalmykia starts celebrating Tsagaan Sar

Today, prayers are heard in the Central Khurul "Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni", addressed to Okon Tengri, the patroness and defender of the Kalmyk people. Tomorrow, on February 22, the day of Tsagaan Sarah, a festive prayer service will be held there and begin at 8:00 a.m.

"In this blessed month, I heartily congratulate the Buddhists of Russia, Mongolia and other countries on the occasion of the Tsagaan Sar holiday and wish happiness and prosperity to all nations!" says the welcoming message of Shadzhin-Lama of Kalmykia Telo Tulku Rinpoche.

By tradition, the festival of Tsagaan Sar (White Month) is celebrated on the first day of the Dragon Month by the lunar calendar. This year it fell on February 22, which in the Republic of Kalmykia was announced a day-off by a presidential decree.

In the old days, this day marked the start of migration to new pastures. In his congratulatory message the Shadzhin-Lama of Kalmykia has noted that on this day other Eastern nations celebrate the New Year – the Losar.

"The Tsagaan Sar is one of the most respected Kalmyk holidays; it heralds the beginning of spring. Therefore, during the holiday Kalmyks meet and greet each other and then ask: 'Have you had a good winter?' 'Yes, we've lived through it OK' is the usual answer. Another answer is: 'All is well, the cattle wintered without losses'," said the teacher Sophia Olzeeva.

In preparation for the holiday, they undertake a spring cleaning in every home, sew or buy new clothes, boil mutton, make flavoured Kalmyk tea, and bake bortsoki.