Winter Solstice, known locally as Nyilo, is a significant holiday in the country of Bhutan. This holiday is celebrated on the shortest day of the year, which usually falls on December 21st. In Bhutanese culture, this day is considered the start of the New Year, being the last day of the 10th month in the Bhutanese calendar. The Winter Solstice holds a special place in Bhutan as it signifies the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter.
This holiday carries deep cultural and historical significance in Bhutan. It represents the end of the year, a time for people to reflect on their deeds of the past and anticipate the prospects of the coming year. People throughout the country celebrate this holiday by taking baths early in the morning in rivers to cleanse themselves of sins and bad luck. They also make offerings of food and drink, to the local deities and spirits. It is a day to pay homage to these entities, and ask their favour for the next year.
Another tradition that marks this important holiday in Bhutan is the preparation of traditional Bhutanese food. Special dishes are cooked to commemorate the occasion, which include buckwheat dumplings and pancakes, buttermilk, cabbages and turnips, among others. This is often followed by family gatherings, singing and dancing. The people of Bhutan, who are primarily farmers and herders, believe that the Winter Solstice is an auspicious time and that any new ventures started on this day will prosper and be successful, making this holiday a significant and joyful occasion for the Bhutanese people.