Saga Dawa Festival 2025

When the star of Saga  FEstival in Tibet/ appears in the sky in the fourth month of the Tibetan Calendar, Tibetan Buddhists start to celebrate the most auspicious and significant time of the year: Saga Dawa Festival. This month-long festival honors Buddha Sakyamuni whose birth, enlightenment, and nirvana all took place in the same month and reaches its peak on 11 June 2025.

Believing that the good deeds and prayers are multiplied thousand-fold during this period, people are much more merciful than usual: we do Kora around Jokhang Temple and give out alms to needy people, refrain from killing animals and release captured animals (like fish) into their natural habitats with sincere prayers, making it the "Month of Merits". More pilgrims visit Mt Kailash during Saga Dawa Festival to attend the flagpole-erecting ceremony at Tarboche and do Kora around Mt Kailash - the greatest activity for our Tibetan Buddhists.
Alpine Excursion Treks   offer you one of the ideal opportunities to see local people celebrating their most important religious Saga Dawa Festival, and a chance to experience this unique culture. Not only can you watch the grandeur Buddhist activities, but you can also join in with the prayers and kora to feel the devoutness and benevolence of Tibetan culture.

Saga Dawa Festival 2025

Most Common Questions about Saga Dawa Festival  in tibet  

1.Why Saga Dawa Festival is Also Called “the Poor’s Day”? 

Saga means “the fourth” and Dawa refers to “month” in Tibetan. This festival is celebrated for the whole month and is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in Tibet. But the fifteenth day of the month is very special as Sakyamuni was born, attained Nirvana (enlightenment), and stepped into Parinirvana (death). Tibetans believe that it would accumulate immense merits during that particular day by giving generosity, stopping killing animals and eating meat, etc. Monks chanting in monasteries, cham dancing and other religious activities dominate the occasion. The festival is called “Qiong Ren Jie/ The Poor’s Day” in Chinese which means poor people’s day because Tibetan peoples’ generosity to the poor people is well known. 

2.What to See in Saga Dawa Festival? 

Here are some of the typical scenes you can see during Saga Dawa Festival:

- Hundreds of Tibetan people circumambulating around the Barkhor, Tsekhor(Circuit around Potala) and Lingkhor.

- Liberation of fishes in Lhasa River(Kyichu) and other animals according to their budgets.

- Monks reciting prayers in the assembly hall in monasteries and serving butter tea during intermission.

- Hundreds of Tibetan people lining up in Drepung kitchen to make their donation for the monks chanting prayers in the assembly hall.

- Tibetan people will never eat meat during the 15th day of the Saga Dawa and you can see every Tibetans eating vegetables in restaurants after finishing their circumambulation.

- Tibetan people are busy with visiting various monasteries.

- Tibetan peoples’ generosity to the poor people by giving them material help.

- After finishing visiting monasteries, Tibetans will go for picnics in different picnic centers in Lhasa.

- Even in picnics, older Tibetans mumble mantras with a rosary in left hand and small prayer wheel in their right hand.

3.When to Go for Saga Dawa Festival in 2025? 

Saga Dawa Festival is the most significant religious festival in Tibet. The Saga Dawa Festival is celebrated on April 15 in the Tibetan calendar. The Saga Dawa Festival will be celebrated on 11 June 2025 in the solar calendar. 

4.Where to Go for Saga Dawa Festival?

If you take a Saga Dawa Festival tour in Lhasa, don't forget to be a part of the huge crowd that visits the Dzongyab Lukhang Park at the foot of Potala for a late afternoon picnic. In fact, this has become some sort of a yearly ritual for the people in Tibet. On this day each year, the people will dress in their splendid attire and sing and dance and have a picnic or gathering in Lingka.

Except in Lhasa, you can also experience the Saga Dawa Festival at Mt. Kailash, the holiest mountain in Tibet. Thousands of Tibetan Buddhists would go to worship the sacred mountain during the Saga Dawa Festival.

5.What to Do in Saga Dawa Festival? 

People have a lot to do during this holy festival, to name a few:

Jokhang Temple - Kora, monk chanting and rituals

Potala Palace - Kora, Tibetan Buddhists from all directions

Lake Lhasa - Fish liberation, rituals and others

Mt Kailash - Flagpole erecting rituals and 3-day kora

Lake Manasarovar - Religious walk, holy dip and others

6.Why is Mt Kailash Kora so Important in Saga Dawa Festival? 

Standing 6714 meters high, the mysterious and mythical Mt Kailash has been a religious sanctuary since pre-Buddhist times. The kora around Mt Kailash is one of the most important pilgrimages in Asia. It is believed that one kora around Mt Kailash cleanses sins of this lifetime, 108 koras breaks the cycle of rebirth and assures one of nirvana at death.

It is a great opportunity to do kora around Mt Kailash during Saga Dawa Festival because it is the time when the good deeds and prayers are multiplied thousand-fold. Besides, a new flagpole will be erected at Tarboche at Mt Kailash on April 15th, besides joining in the once-in-a-year ceremony, you can do kora around the new flagpole with pilgrims from all directions. In Tibetan Buddhism, thirteen circles around this holy flagpole is equivalent to one kora around Mt. Kailash in merit.

More Tips about Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is an amazing but physically demanding trip. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Prepare for the High Altitude

Talk to your doctor about medicine for high-altitude sickness before traveling. Make sure to spend a few days in Lhasa after you arrive to give yourself a chance to adjust.

Obtain the Necessary Permits in Advance

To visit Tibet and the Mount Kailash area specifically, you’ll need to obtain several permits. First is a tourist visa for China and a Tibet Travel Permit to enter the country and Tibet Autonomous Region. An Alien’s Travel Permit and Military Permit are also needed to travel to the Mount Kailash area. Book your tour with us, and we can take care of the necessary documentation.

Be in Good Health

A Mount Kailash trek takes some energy. A physical check-up with your doctor before traveling can help ensure you’re in good shape.

Pack the Essentials

You’ll need suitable clothing for the varying weather conditions. It’s best to dress in layers and bring some waterproof gear. Sturdy hiking boots are essential, as are sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen to stay protected.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Well

Drink lots of water during the physical exertions of the trek. Some snacks are necessary, but you’ll want to be eating a nutritious and balanced diet to keep your energy levels up

Respect Local Customs and the Environment

Tibetan people are very welcoming, but it’s important to be respectful. Ask about anything you’re not sure of, and use good manners. The local environment is very important to us. Dispose of any waste properly and endeavor to leave no trace.