Tsagaan Sar or Lunar New Year

Tsagaan Sar or Mongolian Lunar New Year is a celebration of overcoming harsh long winter and enjoying the arrival of spring and further meeting relatives. During Tsagaan Sar, families and relatives come together to greet each other and celebrate the festival together. It is also a way of introducing the newborn children to their relatives and paying respect to the elders. Everyone gathers to greet the eldest of their family on the first day of Tsagaan Sar. Tsagaan Sar means White Moon and its date is determined according to the lunar calendar. It corresponds to January or February in the Gregorian calendar, according to moon phases.

History of Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian Lunar New Year)
Tsagaan Sar traditions are several centuries old and date back to the 13th century, as we can read about it from The Secret History of the Mongols. After emperor Chinggis established Great Mongol Empire in 1206, he decreed that the Lunar New Year should be celebrated on the first month of Spring when dairy is plenty, the livestock is giving birth. Before this decree, this festival was celebrated in the Autumn season as the Dairy Festival. 

Preparation for the Lunar New Year:
The preparation of the ceremony starts almost a month before the actual date. People clean their houses, make buuz (traditional dumplings), and buys gifts to give all guests who may visit during Tsagaan Sar.  

Bituuleh or “Stuffing”: 
Bituun day is like the Christmas Eve of Tsagaan Sar. The night with no Moon is the Bituun day, which means enclosed or stuffed. On this day, everything must be filled up and closed, especially your stomach must be stuffed with food. Mongolian wrestling competition is broadcasted on television. People fix the Tsagaan Sar's plate of traditional cookies or aaruul (dried curd). Also, the three pieces of ice are placed outside the door of their home, for God Palden Lhamo’s horse to drink while God is visiting the family.

Lunar New Year Customs: 
In the morning of Tsagaan Sar, the hostess offers the first cup of tea with milk to the gods, throwing it out in all directions. After greeting of special ritual called “zolgokh” with each other at home, people visit their whole relatives and friends; They always have to begin with the oldest relative. When guests arrived, a hostess serves tea with milk and traditional dishes. After the meal, when the guests are ready to leave, the host offers the guests a gift.