The celebration of Sonam Lochar can be traced back to the era before the spread of Buddhist religion in Tibet when Bonism prevailed. During that era in winter season the inhabitants of Tibet practiced the culture of pleasing the Gods by offering them their harvests and burning all forms of scented incense available in the forests. They thus prayed to the Gods for their protection and safety. During the reign of ninth king of Tibet, Poday Gungyal, this celebration came to be known as Sonam Lochar.

Lochar Tenba: Chepagik (first day)

On the auspicious occasion of Lochar, the head of the family has to wake up early in the morning, clean himself and fetch fresh water to the house. Cleaning g and decoration of the house, specially the Chyosum (pooja room) and surrounding areas is undertaken by the family members. In the Chyosum two clean glasses filled with Irak (liquor) and Zhi (fermented millet) are placed in Chokshi (Tabel). A garland of Koko – Mendo (totalla flower) is made and placed around this Chokshi. Along with the tow glasses a container filled with Chemhar made up of mixture of butter, Champa (roasted powdered barley) honey and Thui (holy water) is also placed. There after Chyomi (butter lamp) is lightened. Similarly, Ngar Som : Sugar, jaggary, honey and Kar Som: Milk, curd, fresh butter and Sher Sang: water with which metals like iron, copper, gold and silver have been washed are mixed together to prepare purified holy water. This water is then offered by the head of the family to altar. This reflects bidding farewell to the year gone by and welcoming the upcoming new yaer which is free of illness and misfortune.

Chepangi (Second Day)

On the second day the family members prepared various traditional items like: khapse, jyero, babari, alum, fulauro, pholdong etc. and offered them to their ancestor deities. These items are then eaten bt the family members as well.

Chepa Som (Third Day)

On the third morning uncooked rice is placed in a cleaned plate along with butter lamp and incense. Holy water is sprinkled in all the rooms of the house. Members of the family, friends and neighbors are also blessed with this water. On this occasion, The married daughters and sisters come home bringing alon gifts, sweets, fruits, liquor etc. and seek the blessings of their parents and brotters. The family offer them blessings garlanding them Khada, sprinkling them with holy water and offers them food and drinks.

Chepa Blhi (Fourth Day)

The eight luck signs (Tashi Tagay) used by Guru Rinpoche for the welfare and well being of the mankind is displayed at altar of the fourth day. Prayers are conducted and Prasad is distributed.

Chepanga (Fifth day altar)

On the last day, religious heads are invited to the house and blessings are taken from them. They are offered meals.

During theses five days the young boys and girls as well as their elders wear their traditional attires and enjoy singing (Tamang Whai) and dancing (Tamang Shaba) with their dhamphu.

 

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