Losar in Tawang
February or early March, Tibetan lunar new year (2026: from 18 February)
Losar marks the new year in the Tibetan lunar calendar and is the most important festival of the year for the Monpa people of western Arunachal Pradesh. Preparations begin days before, with houses cleaned, special foods prepared and offerings made at home altars. On the eve of Losar, families perform rituals to drive out the misfortunes of the old year.
On the first days of the new year, families visit Tawang Monastery and local gompas to pray and make offerings, prayer flags are renewed on rooftops and passes, and relatives exchange visits and gifts. Monasteries hold special prayers, and some villages stage dances and archery competitions. Butter tea, chang and festive dishes are shared generously.
Losar in Tawang is a winter experience. Temperatures fall well below freezing at night and snow is possible, though the Sela Tunnel now keeps the road open in most weather. We plan Losar visits with a spare day for snow, the warmest rooms available and a guide from the community who can arrange visits to family homes.
How to do it well
- Pack for −5 °C mornings: thermals, down jacket, gloves and a warm hat.
- Allow a spare day for snow on the road between Dirang and Tawang.
- Ask before photographing family rituals, and accept refreshments when offered.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
When is Losar in Tawang?
Losar follows the Tibetan lunar calendar and usually falls in February or early March. In 2026 it began on 18 February. Dates change each year, and some communities observe slightly different dates. Check current status before you travel.
What happens during Losar in Tawang?
Families clean their homes, prepare special foods, visit monasteries to pray and make offerings, renew prayer flags and exchange visits and gifts. Monasteries hold special prayers, and some villages stage dances and games. It is a family festival with a welcoming spirit.
Is it too cold to visit Tawang for Losar?
It is cold, with nights well below freezing and possible snow, but days are often sunny. With warm clothing and heated rooms it is comfortable enough. The Sela Tunnel has made the road more reliable in winter. Allow a spare day for weather.
Is Torgya the same as Losar?
No. Torgya is Tawang Monastery's annual festival of masked dances, held in January according to the lunar calendar, to ward off evil and bring prosperity. Losar is the new year, a few weeks later. Some travellers time a winter visit to see both.
Festival journeys
Routes built around the calendar
