Kalmykia Celebrates the Arrival of Tsagan Sar

The altar was specially adorned, hundreds of butter lamps were lit, and everyone present in the hall felt the solemnity. Today the monastic Sangha, led by the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia, offered all its prayers in honor of the Protector of the Dharma, the Protector of the Kalmyk people — the legendary Okon Tengri. For according to legend, it is on this very day, the first lunar day of the month of the Dragon, that she descends to earth, blessing all living beings. Today the monks and the faithful gave thanks to and praised Okon Tengri, and a special ritual with the offering of baling was performed — “Tsogt Okn Tengrin shinin baling örgkh yosn.”

As the Shajin Lama of Kalmykia, Geshe Tenzin Choydak, noted, today, as on every other day, each of us must live with pure and kind-hearted intentions and act in keeping with the instructions of the Great Buddha. “Kindness and compassion are the foundation that must be laid from an early age, that which should be the norm for each of us. I wish all residents and all guests of our Kalmykia well-being, robust health, and to always be under the protection of Okon Tengri,” the Shajin Lama replied, addressing the faithful.

The Head of the Republic, Batu Khasikov, also took part in the festive prayer service in honor of the national holiday of Tsagan Sar. Congratulating the faithful and the monastic Sangha, he noted the significance of this day: “In the life of our people, the bright holiday of Tsagan Sar holds a special place: it marks the arrival of the long-awaited spring, the awakening and renewal of nature. We should all be filled with optimism and faith in goodness.”

And by tradition, at the conclusion of the festive prayer service, everyone who wished could taste fragrant jomba and delicious bortsoki, congratulating one another on the arrival of spring.