23/02/2023
Happy Tsag On (Tsagaan) Sar! Happy Mongolian Lunar New year!
“Tsagaan Sar” celebration is the Lunar New Year for the Mongols according to their centuries-old lunar astrology. This year the Mongols celebrate Tsagaan sar (Lunar Year) usually in February. Date changes every year.
The Mongols celebrate Tsagaan Sar since the Xiongnu empire (from the 3rd century BC to the late 1st century) for passing the harsh winter in good health and is considered as the beginning of spring.
Moreover, the Tsagaan Sar is a big family celebration as everyone gather at their elders, grandparents or parents home to greet and wish well for the coming year.
The date of the celebration is determined according to the lunar calendar. This year the first day of Tsagaan Sar occurs on Feb 21st and the first 3 days of Tsagaan Sar is non-working public holiday nationwide.
In the city, the first 3 days of Tsagaan Sar is a holiday, though it extends as long as 15 days for nomads in the countryside, and after Day 15 the new year is no longer new, and everyone stops visits and festivities and goes back to the normal, ever busy lifestyle.
Families, especially women prepare for Tsagaan Sar celebration at least one month prior by cleaning houses, yards