Saga Dawa

Saga Dawa is a very famous Buddhist festival celebrated by the Monpas in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in the fourth month of the lunar calendar which coincides with the month of May. During Saga Dawa in Arunachal Pradesh, Monpas do not eat non-vegetarian food.

There is a very significant reason behind celebrating Saga Dawa at Arunachal Pradesh in the fourth month of lunar calendar. Lord Buddha was born in the fourth month, he received the enlightenment in the fourth month and he attained nirvana in the fourth month. During this whole month, Monpas visit temples to offer prayers for their well being in the future. They donate money and other items of comfort to the monks and nuns so as to gain their blessings. They also organize pujas where they invite the monks to perform all the rituals.

The main event of Arunachal Pradesh Saga Dawa is a ritual known as Nyung-ne which is executed to free every villager from his or her sin. The people who participate in the event have to keep fast on every alternative day. On this day, neither can they speak to anyone nor can they drink water. They have to only recite the prayers. The food is organized by the remaining villagers who do it to gain merit.

During Saga Dawa of Arunachal Pradesh, a procession is carried out in which the holy book of Buddhism is distributed all around the area. People wear new clothes during this festivals. They celebrate it with great fun and frolic. But the main and the most amazing feature of Saga Dawa is that people are more into charitable services during the whole festival.

Last Updated on 03 January 2011