A purification rite at the datsan, the “Sagaalganai Yokhor” festival with national cuisine and concerts by Buryat ensembles.
In 2026 Sagaalgan — the lunar New Year and the festival of the White Month — begins on 18 February. The Centre for the Culture of the Peoples of the Baikal Region described the programme in Irkutsk.
On 16 February the Irkutsk datsan holds the Dugzhuuba rite to cleanse away the negativity of the outgoing year: offerings to the protector Choijil Sakhyusan and the burning of “rubbish”. On 18 February from 17:00 the square by the Trud Sports Palace hosts the “Sagaalganai Yokhor” festival with performances by Buryat groups, master classes, tastings of national cuisine and a common yokhor circle dance. The same evening the Ulaalzai song and dance ensemble performs at the Vampilov Youth Theatre. On 20 February the international fine art exhibition “White Month” opens at the Rogal Exhibition Centre.
Source (in Russian): IrCity, 27 January 2026.
