Vegetarian diets gain popularity during Saga Dawa

A vegetarian diet has become a popular choice, with more restaurants offering vegetarian options during Saga Dawa Festival in Lhasa, the capital of the Xizang autonomous region.

Tibetans everywhere are celebrating the Saga Dawa month, the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, which marks the anniversary of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and nirvana.

Most people choose to eat vegetarian food throughout Saga Dawa, while some choose to follow the diet for only the first 15 days.

Wanglo, founder of the Yangchimtsang Tibetan Restaurant, said his restaurant offers special vegetarian dishes during the Saga Dawa month.

"Many guests, including locals and tourists, like to order fired rape seek leaves produced locally," said Wanglo. "Farmers from the nearby county send fresh vegetables to our restaurant every day."

"Apart from dishes made of butter, cheese, corn, and mushrooms, many guests choose our vegetarian hot pot, which is a specialty," said Wanglo, adding that he produces the meal's seasoning using local materials, such as roasted barley flour.

"Customers choose vegetarian food as a way to show their respect to other living beings," he said. "We produce pure vegetarian meals in return to show our respect to our customers."