Tsagan Sar is one of the most beloved national holidays of our people. From ancient times, Kalmyks revered it as a holiday of the onset of spring, the awakening of nature. Therefore, when meeting on the days of the Tsagan holiday, Kalmyks, after common greeting, ask each other: "Have you wintered well?" The answer usually is: "Yes, we wintered well" or "All is well, the cattle also wintered without loss." Tsagan is celebrated two months after Zul, on the first day of the first spring month, and this month is called Tsagan Sar. This year Tsagan Sar is celebrated on 24th of February.In the morning of the celebration day, a solemn ritual of offering a torm to the goddess Okon-Tengri will take place in the Central Khurul of Kalmykia "The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni". At the end of the prayer service, believers will be treated to Kalmyk tea and bortsoki.
In the afternoon of the same day, an exhibition of Buddhist thangkas dedicated to the 15 Great Miracles of Buddha will open, and, the film "Saffron Heart" will be screened in the conference hall of the Central Khurul from 1 pm to 2 pm. The film tells the story of a little monk who joined the monastery recently and misses his home very much. Out of compassion for him, his Master draws a quest card for the boy, consisting of eight puzzles. He will have an opportunity to return home only after solving those puzzles.
And on the eve of the holiday, 22 February, all believers are invited to take part in a big Kangso prayer service - an appeal to the Defenders. The first session will be held from 9 a.m. to half-past twelve, the second - from 1 pm to 3 pm. The ritual of preventing obstacles through the Heart Sutra (Prajaparamita) will be held on 23 February.
