The history of the Losar Festival existed before Buddhism arrived in Tibet and its surrounding regions like India, Nepal, and Bhutan. In ancient days, it is a notion that the Losar Festival was acknowledged as a ceremony in winter. During that time, locals offer a large incense to appease local deities. The Buddhist people believe that indulging in Losar Festival drives away negative spirits..
The term Losar is made of two words, ‘Lo’-which means year and ‘Sar’ - meaning new. The festival is observed to ward off evil spirits and welcome the the new year that shall be filled with happiness and prosperity. The date for the festival mostly falls in the months of January, February or March;
Houses are cleaned before the festivity begins and various food preparations are done that are then shared with loved ones during the festival days. Offerings are made to Buddhist gods and goddesses both at home and at the monasteries in Losar. A procession called Metho on the eve of Losar is carried out through the streets, markets, and lanes where people chant sacred slogans and carry flaming torches believing that the chant and the fire will ward off all the evil spirits.
A day prior to the main festivals, people clean and paint their houses; and prepare offerings, which is known as ‘Lama Losar.’ Eight auspicious symbols called Tashi Dargye - the precious umbrella, a victory banner, 2 golden fish, a right coiled white conch shell, a lotus flower, a vase of treasure, the Dharma Wheel and the Eternal Knot are used to decorate houses.
On the day of the festival, first the prayers are offered at Tawang Monastery, offerings are also made to the household shrine. In the evening, a traditional noodle soup called guthuk is prepared, which contains dumplings made from flour and water by stuffing with nine different fortune symbols that is said to determine the fortune of the person in the next year. The second day of the festival is reserved for the King and is called Gyalpo Losar.