A nun was praying in front of Jokang Temple--photo taken by Phoenix on Nov.21 in Lhasa
The Auspicious Goddess Festival, as one of the traditional festivals in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, falls on Sunday, Nov. 21 this year (15th day in the 10th month on the Tibetan calendar).
This festival is commonly celebrated by Tibetan women and girls by dressing themselves up and asking for gifts on the street.
According to a Tibetan legend, the white Lhamo (a Tibetan female name meaning "fairy"in Tibetan language) was cursed by her mother for her self-indulgence, thus, she could only date with her lover who came to the south bank of the Lhasa River once a year on this day.
Tibetan women and girls flock around the Barkor street and enjoy their festival by asking "hello, today is our festival, so will you give us gifts?" to men on the street, even though they may not know each other at all. The man who is asked should not refuse but to offer some changes happily and have fun with the girls together instead.
Besides, traditional activities will be held, such as burning incenses, taking ritual walks around the Jokhang Temple, presenting Khadas, almsgiving, etc. to pray to the auspicious goddess for blessings.
