Sonam Lhosar today, a public holiday across the country

KATHMANDU: The Tamang community across Nepal is celebrating Sonam Lhosar today with traditional zeal and enthusiasm.

This festival, which marks the beginning of a new year in the Tamang calendar, is being observed with various cultural programs and rituals throughout the country.

Derived from the words ‘Lho,’ meaning year, and ‘Sar,’ meaning new, Sonam Lhosar symbolizes fresh energy, prosperity, and positive transformation. It holds great significance for the Tamang people, who celebrate it as a reflection of their rich cultural heritage. The festival is characterized by the rhythmic beats of the Damphu drum, the melodies of Tamang Selo songs, vibrant traditional attire, and the preparation of special delicacies unique to this occasion.

On this day, Tamang families and communities come together to perform ancestral and nature worship, remembering the teachings of Lord Buddha and exchanging blessings for a prosperous year ahead.

The festival serves as an occasion for social gathering, entertainment, and the strengthening of familial and communal bonds.

Besides the Tamang community, ethnic groups such as Hyolmo, Thakali, Jirel, Nesyangwa, Bhote, Dura, and Lepcha also celebrate Sonam Lhosar in their own distinct ways, preserving their unique traditions while sharing in the festive spirit.

To honor the cultural significance of this festival, the government has declared a public holiday across the country today.

Various programs, including cultural exhibitions, traditional dances, and community feasts, are being organized in different parts of Nepal.

Sonam Lhosar not only marks a new beginning for the Tamang people but also highlights Nepal’s rich cultural diversity, fostering harmony and mutual respect among different ethnic communities.