Mark these dates now and you will not miss a great holy day in 2027, even in a year when calendars disagree by a full month. The 2027 Tibetan Buddhist calendar opens with Losar on 02/07/2027, the start of the Fire Sheep year. Saga Dawa Düchen, the holy day for the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing, falls on 06/18/2027 in the Phugpa calendar.
At PotalaStore, we compared calendars from monasteries, universities, and the Tibetan Nuns Project while preparing this guide. We expected a one-day gap. For Saga Dawa, we found a one-month gap. Below, every date carries a confidence label, and you get a simple rule for choosing which date to follow.
Last updated: October 2026. Dates follow the Phugpa calendar unless noted. Official 2027 calendars from Men-Tsee-Khang and FPMT were not yet published when we wrote this, so we revise this page as they appear.
Planning Losar gifts for family or teachers? Our Losar gift guide for 2027 covers meaningful Tibetan New Year presents for every budget.
Table of Contents
What Year Is 2027? The Fire Sheep Year, Explained
In the Tibetan calendar, 2027 is the female Fire Sheep year 2154, the 41st year of the 17th Rabjung cycle. It begins with Losar on 02/07/2027 and ends on 02/25/2028. Losar marks the start of the Year of the Fire Sheep. Some English sources write Fire Goat for the same year.
A Rabjung is a 60-year cycle that the Tibetan calendar counts from 1027 AD. Each year pairs one of five elements with one of twelve animals, so Fire Sheep returns only every 60 years.
When Does the Fire Sheep Year Begin and End?
The Fire Sheep year begins with Losar on Sunday, 02/07/2027, and ends on 02/25/2028, the day before the next Losar on 02/26/2028. That span covers 384 days. A year with a leap month runs about 384 days, while an ordinary lunar year runs about 354. This is our first clue that 2027 contains a leap month.
Why Do Tibetan Holy Days Shift Every Year?
Tibetan holy days shift because the calendar is lunisolar: months follow the moon, and a 13th leap month is added every two to three years to stay in step with the sun. On the Gregorian calendar, the same festival can land anywhere in a window of about a month.
Lunar days are also sometimes doubled or skipped. That is why one festival can appear as 02/20 in one calendar and 02/21 in another.
Tibetan Buddhist Holidays 2027: Month-by-Month Table
The 2027 Tibetan Buddhist calendar opens with Losar on 02/07/2027 and includes four great Düchen days: Chötrul Düchen (02/20), Saga Dawa Düchen (06/18 in the Phugpa calendar), Chökhor Düchen (about 08/05), and Lhabab Düchen (about 11/20). Some calendars list Saga Dawa and Chökhor a month earlier.
| Observance | Tibetan date | 2027 date | Confidence and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Losar | Month 1, day 1 | 02/07/2027 (Sun) | High. Tibetan Nuns Project, Monlam.org, and USC agree. |
| Monlam Chenmo | Month 1, days 4 to 15 | About 02/10 to 02/21/2027 | Estimate. Calculated from Losar, pending official confirmation. |
| Chötrul Düchen | Month 1, day 15 | 02/20 or 02/21/2027 | Medium. Sources differ by one day. |
| Saga Dawa Düchen | Month 4, day 15 | 06/18/2027 (Fri) Phugpa; 05/20/2027 in some center calendars | Conflict. See the Saga Dawa section below. |
| Dalai Lama’s birthday | Fixed civil date | 07/06/2027 (Tue) | High. Observed on the Gregorian date. |
| Dzamling Chisang | Month 5, day 15 | About 07/18/2027 | Estimate. Pending official confirmation. |
| Chökhor Düchen | Month 6, day 4 | About 08/05/2027 Phugpa; 07/07/2027 in some center calendars | Conflict. Same one-month gap as Saga Dawa. |
| Lhabab Düchen | Month 9, day 22 | About 11/20/2027 (Sat) | Medium. Matches public holiday listings; one site differs. |
| Palden Lhamo festival | Month 10, day 15 | About 12/12/2027 | Estimate. Pending official confirmation. |
| Ganden Ngamchö | Month 10, day 25 | About 12/22/2027 (Wed) | Medium. Matches a published Tsongkhapa Day listing. |
High means sources agree or the date is fixed. Medium means sources agree within one day or one site differs. Conflict means calendars disagree. Estimate means we calculated the date and no official 2027 calendar has confirmed it.
The Four Great Düchen Days of 2027
Tibetans traditionally observe four Düchen, or “great occasions,” each year, and each recalls an event in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha.
- Chötrul Düchen: the Day of Miracles, on the 15th day of the first month.
- Saga Dawa Düchen: the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing, on the 15th day of the fourth month.
- Chökhor Düchen: his first teaching, on the 4th day of the sixth month.
- Lhabab Düchen: his descent from the heaven realm, on the 22nd day of the ninth month.
Tradition holds that actions on these days carry multiplied results. Sources cite different multipliers, from ten million to 100 million, so we do not quote a number. Treat it as traditional belief, not a measurable fact.
Other Key Dates: Monlam, the Dalai Lama’s Birthday, and Dzamling Chisang
Beyond the four Düchen, 2027 includes Monlam Chenmo after Losar, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday on 07/06/2027, and Dzamling Chisang, the world incense-offering day. Monlam Chenmo, the Great Prayer Festival, runs from about 02/10 to 02/21/2027. Dzamling Chisang falls on about 07/18/2027.
When Is Losar 2027, and What Happens in the First Month?
Losar 2027 falls on Sunday, 02/07/2027, opening the Year of the Fire Sheep; celebrations traditionally last 15 days, with the first three days the most important. The festival runs from 02/07/2027 to 02/21/2027 and closes on the full moon. Think of it as New Year’s Day, a family reunion, and a religious festival in one.
What Happens on the Three Days of Losar?
In many communities, day one honors teachers, day two turns to family and community, and day three honors the Dharma protectors. The eve of Losar traditionally brings a thorough house cleaning and guthuk, a hearty noodle soup. Many families also hang fresh prayer flags and light butter lamps during the festival, as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art notes.
Looking for something meaningful to give? Browse our Losar 2027 gift ideas for presents that suit every budget.
Monlam Chenmo and the Butter Lamp Festival (Chötrul Düchen)
Monlam Chenmo, the Great Prayer Festival, follows Losar, and its 15th day, Chötrul Düchen on 02/20 or 02/21/2027, is traditionally marked with butter lamps and butter sculptures. Chötrul means “Day of Miracles.” Monlam.org lists 02/20 and gototibet.com lists 02/21, a one-day difference that comes from doubled or skipped lunar days.
Saga Dawa Düchen: Is It May 20 or June 18?
Saga Dawa Düchen falls on 06/18/2027 in the Phugpa calendar, which adds a leap month in 2027 and pushes the fourth month into June. Some center calendars list 05/20/2027 instead. Follow the calendar your teacher or local center uses.
Saga Dawa Düchen is the 15th day of the fourth Tibetan month. The whole month is called Saga Dawa, the month of merit. For the full month of practice, read why Saga Dawa is called the month of merit.
Why Do Calendars Disagree in 2027?
Calendars disagree because Tibetan calendar systems, such as the Phugpa and Tsurphu traditions, can place a leap month at different points, so one system’s fourth month starts a full month before another’s. We could not confirm which system each source follows.
Grand Valley State University’s interfaith calendar and two holiday listings give 06/18/2027. Monlam.org gives 05/20/2027. Our calculation, using Svante Janson’s published Tibetan calendar mathematics, also points to a leap second month in the Phugpa system. An official Men-Tsee-Khang calendar will confirm it.
Which Saga Dawa Date Should You Follow?
Follow the calendar of your teacher, lineage, or local center. If you have none, use the Phugpa date of 06/18/2027. Here is the order we suggest:
- Ask your teacher or center. Their date overrides every online calendar.
- Use 06/18/2027 if you have no teacher. It matches the Phugpa system and the leap-month calculation above.
- Recheck in spring 2027. Official calendars should be public by then, and we will update this page.
Build a simple Saga Dawa offering space at home with prayer altar items. A clean, uncluttered shelf is enough to begin.
Summer to Winter: Chökhor, Lhabab, and Tsongkhapa Day
The second half of 2027 brings Chökhor Düchen (about 08/05 in the Phugpa calendar), Lhabab Düchen (about 11/20), and Ganden Ngamchö (about 12/22), when butter lamps are traditionally lit for Je Tsongkhapa. The same leap-month question that affects Saga Dawa also affects Chökhor, so check your center’s calendar.
Chökhor Düchen: Turning the Wheel of Dharma
Chökhor Düchen marks the Buddha’s first teaching on the 4th day of the 6th Tibetan month, about 08/05/2027 in the Phugpa calendar (07/07/2027 in some center calendars). The Buddha gave that teaching at Deer Park in Sarnath, India. The one-month gap here matches the Saga Dawa gap, which supports the leap-month explanation.
Lhabab Düchen: The Buddha’s Descent
Lhabab Düchen, about 11/20/2027, celebrates the Buddha’s return from the Heaven of the Thirty-Three after teaching his mother there. It falls on the 22nd day of the 9th month. Public holiday listings agree on 11/20/2027, though one calendar site lists a different date.
Ganden Ngamchö: Tsongkhapa’s Butter Lamp Festival
On Ganden Ngamchö, about 12/22/2027, Gelug communities traditionally light rows of butter lamps to honor Je Tsongkhapa’s passing. Je Tsongkhapa founded the Gelug school in the 14th century. The festival falls on the 25th day of the 10th month.
How to Keep Monthly Practice Days and Holy Days at Home in the U.S.
You do not need a temple to honor the 2027 calendar. Every Tibetan lunar month repeats the same practice days on the 8th, 10th, 15th, 25th, and 30th. A few minutes of light, incense, or mantra is a traditional way to mark them.
Monthly Practice Days: The 8th, 10th, 15th, 25th, and 30th
Each Tibetan month repeats five key practice days: the 8th (Medicine Buddha, and Tara in some traditions), the 10th (Guru Rinpoche), the 15th full moon, the 25th (Dakini Day), and the 30th new moon.
- 8th: Medicine Buddha Day, often marked with the Medicine Buddha mantra.
- 10th: Guru Rinpoche Day, often marked with a tsok offering or Guru Rinpoche mantra.
- 15th: the full moon, and the date of Chötrul Düchen and Saga Dawa Düchen.
- 25th: Dakini Day, often marked with a tsok offering.
- 30th: the new moon, a traditional day for reflection and offerings.
Simple Offerings for Holy Days: Light, Incense, and Prayer Flags
A single candle or butter lamp, a stick of incense, and seven water bowls are traditional, beginner-friendly offerings for any Düchen day. One limit to remember: you do not need every item. Traditionally, intention matters more than the number of offerings.
PotalaStore stocks Tibetan Buddhist ritual items for each of these offerings. Here is what each one does for your practice:
- Five-color prayer flags carry printed mantras and prayers. You can hang a fresh set during Losar, so you renew your wishes on the traditional date without traveling. Hang them where they fly freely and never place them on the ground. Browse five-color Tibetan prayer flags for Losar and Saga Dawa.
- A small altar with seven water bowls can be set up once and reused every practice day, so a short offering fits into a busy evening.
- Incense and a burner let you offer incense on Dzamling Chisang. A single stick suits an apartment, and you do not need an elaborate setup.
- A 108-bead mala counts each mantra for you. You can set a Saga Dawa recitation goal and keep your attention on the practice, not the count.
Timing Tips for U.S. Readers: India Time and Time Zones
Because many teachers observe holy days by India Standard Time, a date like 06/18/2027 begins at 2:30 PM EDT (11:30 AM PDT) on 06/17 in the U.S. FPMT’s practice-dates page cites Ven. Choden Rinpoche, who advised observing auspicious days by the date in India rather than the home country. Teachers differ, so follow your own center.
| Düchen day | India date begins | Eastern time | Pacific time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saga Dawa Düchen | 06/18/2027 | 06/17, 2:30 PM EDT | 06/17, 11:30 AM PDT |
| Chökhor Düchen* | 08/05/2027 | 08/04, 2:30 PM EDT | 08/04, 11:30 AM PDT |
| Lhabab Düchen* | 11/20/2027 | 11/19, 1:30 PM EST | 11/19, 10:30 AM PST |
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2027 Tibetan Calendar
Losar 2027 falls on Sunday, 02/07/2027, opening the Year of the Fire Sheep (Tibetan year 2154). Celebrations traditionally last 15 days, and the first three are the most important.
No. Both are lunisolar, but they use different calculations and leap-month rules. In 2027, Chinese New Year falls on 02/06 and Losar falls on 02/07.
Different Tibetan calendar systems can place the 2027 leap month at different points, so one system’s fourth month starts a month earlier. The Phugpa calendar places Saga Dawa Düchen on 06/18/2027.
Pick one monthly practice day, such as the full moon, and offer a light, incense, or a few minutes of mantra. When you are ready, set up a small altar with offering bowls and prayer flags, and add the next date from the table above to your calendar.
In summary, the 2027 Tibetan Buddhist calendar comes down to three dates to mark now: Losar on 02/07/2027, Saga Dawa Düchen on 06/18/2027 in the Phugpa system, and Lhabab Düchen on about 11/20/2027. Recheck the Conflict and Estimate rows when official calendars appear.
Prepare your 2027 practice space
Browse PotalaStore’s Tibetan collection for prayer flags, altar items, incense, and malas to support each holy day on this calendar.Explore Tibetan ritual items
Important note: The meaning and merit attached to these holy days come from traditional Tibetan Buddhist belief, not scientific evidence. Dates marked Estimate or Conflict are unconfirmed and may change when official 2027 calendars are published. This guide is educational. Follow the calendar of your own teacher or center.
Editorial note: We compiled dates from institutional, university, and monastery calendars, then labeled each one by how well sources agree. Spot an error? Tell us and we will correct it. Last updated: October 2026.
📚 References
- Tibetan Calendar Mathematics: Svante Janson of Uppsala University explains how Tibetan months, leap months, and skipped days are calculated. arXiv, Tibetan calendar mathematics
- Dharma Practice Dates: FPMT’s practice-day guide, including advice on observing auspicious days by the date in India. FPMT
- Tibetan Buddhist Holidays: Calendar basics and holiday dates compiled with astrologers at Men-Tsee-Khang. This page covers 2026 and informs our method for 2027. Tibetan Nuns Project
- Happy Losar!: Overview of the 15-day Tibetan New Year, including offerings, prayer flags, butter lamps, and traditional foods. Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
