Kathmandu, January 19
The Tamang community is celebrating Sonam Lhosar, meaning New Year, by organising various programmes today. According to the Manjushree calendar, the 2,862nd year starts from today.
From today, the horse year enters after completing the snake year. Sonam Lhosar festival is celebrated every year on the occasion of Magh Shukla Pratipada with various programmes. Sonam Lhosar is divided into 12 categories: rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon (cloud), snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog and pig.
The festival is specially celebrated in various districts of Bagmati Province, where the Tamang community is predominantly located. In addition to the Tamang community, the Hyolmo, Thakali, Jirel, Nesyangwa, Bhote, Dura, Lepcha and some other communities also mark this festival with much fanfare.
The government has announced a public holiday across the country on the occasion of this festival being celebrated on Monday this year. Likewise, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav has extended best wishes to all communities marking the Sonam Lhosar festival, stating that such festivals help further cement the fundamental values of the republican system, inclusion, equality, federalism, secularism and rule of law.
Similarly, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal has wished for social and cultural harmony, brotherhood and national unity among all ethnic communities on the occasion of this festival, adding that the Sonam Lhosar festival has played a crucial role in protecting and promoting the traditional cultural values of the Tamang community.
