It is lhasoel time in the east

19 January 2008

Bhutan:It is mid-day withtemperature in the mid 20s, butdespite the heat, Aum Tshewang amiddle aged woman of Juckaphaivillage in Pema Gatshel, is busybrewing ara (local wine). Shewould take an entire day to brewabout twenty litres in preparationfor her annual lhasoel (the annualsupplication ceremony for thegods).

Like her, each year, everyhousehold performs this annualreligious event on the 9th and10th month of the Bhutanesecalendar. Aum Tshewang said that shehad already consulted a local tsip(astrologer) who advised her thatthe auspicious day for her Lhasoelwas on 24th and 30th of the 10thmonth of the Bhutanese calendar.

However, she was not surewhether she would be able toget hold of the village gomchens(lay monks) on the above dates toperform the religious rites as mostof the people perform lhasoelduring this time of the year.According to her, there is inadequatenumber of lay monks inthe villages.

“The few gomchenswho are available in the villagesare overworked, especially at thistime of the year when Lhasoel isat its peak,” she said.Shumar Gup Lepo saidthat with Lhabab Duechen(Descending Day of LordBuddha) falling in the 9th monthof the Bhutanese calendar, people,over the years, have becomeaccustomed to performing theirLhasoel coinciding with theauspicious month.

He, however,said that Lhasoel could also beconducted at other times of theyear after consulting local tsips.The gup also said that the waythis annual household activity isconducted have changed drasticallyfor better since his childhooddays.

andnbsp;“The ceremony, includingthe preparation of tormas (ritualcakes), which took about two to three days some twenty years agonow takes only one day,” he said.He added that in those dayspeople took it as an opportunity torelax and rejoice, but now, mostpeople, especially in the urbanareas, dont take much interest init.

andnbsp;During the Lhasoel, the hostis required to provide a grandfeast to the entire village for theday which is becoming moreexpensive each passing year.“This time of the year is acruse for me”, said an old manfrom Shali village.

He said that hecould not afford to host elaborateceremony each year.But for many people, however,it is not the feast that is importantbut the deep faith and the prayersfor the well-being of ones familyand the all living beings for thecoming year which is important.

Lhasoel is considered to be animportant religious event in theeast like lomba in Paro and Haa

By Gyembo Namgyal

Updated on 23 November 2007 © Bhutan Observer Pvt. Ltd 2007

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