This Day, That Year

Item from Feb 26,1990, in China Daily: Today is New Year's Day for Tibetans. An eight-day grand ritual began in Beijing on Feb 18 at the Yong hegong Lamasery, the largest in Beijing, with more than 80 lamas chanting sutras. The religious program, which occupies seven-hours a day, includes the burning of evil paper figures, the circling of the lamasery by lamas and laymen, and the reciting of sutras.

This year's Spring Festival, which occurred on Feb 19, coincided with the start of the Tibetan New Year.

The Tibetan festival, also known as Losar, is the most important celebration in the Tibetan calendar. It lasts 15 days, with the main activities held on the first three days. Losar is marked with ancient ceremonies that represent the struggle between good and evil.