Laba porridge marks prelude to Chinese New Year

Locals line up for Laba porridge at the Yonghe Lama Temple in Beijing, Jan 17, 2016. [Photo by Guan Xin/China Daily]

The traditional Laba Festival, when Chinese people eat Laba porridge and garlic to celebrate the event which is regarded as the prelude to the coming Chinese Luna New Year, fell on Sunday.

The festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the 12th month of the traditional Chinese calendar, originally a day of thanks for a good harvest and sacrifice to ancestors. It also marks the day on which Sakyauni, the founder of Buddhism, reached enlightenment and became immortal.

An old Chinese saying goes: "After Laba, it's time to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year," meaning the festival marks the start of a series of celebrations for the important Spring Festival.