Great Garchen Losar Feast

Long tables laid with impressive terra cotta place settings framed one side of the Pavilion. The Losar Feast would be shared by all in attendance.

The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa took his seat on a low throne with a Buddha statue above him.

The evening’s festivities took place in the context of a tantric feast or ganachakra. The first part of the text was chanted before the entertainment began.

Golden lights beamed down upon the Karmapa, lending an air of majesty to the setting.

The central screen displayed a beautiful shot of the Mahabodhi Stupa. A monastic choir performed, with Khenpo David Choephel conducting.

Two Masters of Ceremonies, Ngodrup Tsering and Sherab Tharchin, took the stage to provide context for the evening’s events and to introduce the performances.

Meanwhile, scores of young Indian waiters in uniform white shirts and blue caps issued forth to serve the delicious dinner to the audience.

This was carried out in an orderly and timely fashion so that thousands of guests were served a resplendent meal, reminiscent of a five-star hotel dining experience.

A Chinese hotpot-style meal was served to His Holiness and the VIPs on the stage.

The guests on the stage wore costumes from their homelands.

His Holiness enjoyed his meal in a dignified manner.

Columns of offering dakinis served the feast to the VIP guests.

Members of the Monlam working committee also sported traditional outfits from their homelands, in this case, Poland (left and right) and Scotland (center).

The cultural program was vast and comprehensive. Here, singers from TIPA perform dressed in traditional finery.

Traditional songs were performed by singers and dancers from several Himalayan regions.

A traditional Bhutanese song was performed by a group of artists from Bhutan.

The Pavilion was packed with fortunate spectators.

A grand total of fourteen different acts were performed by various artists.

The costumes and hats were exotic and colorful, reflecting the different regions the performers hailed from.

The professionally-lit stage and multiple screens provided a vibrant backdrop to the performances.

His Holiness, the Gyalwang Karmapa was the mastermind behind this magnificent spectacle.

Green, blue, and pink lights enhanced the performances, enchanting the audience.