KATHMANDU: Sonam Lhosar, a great festival of the Tamang people in Nepal is being celebrated with much fanfare across the country today.
During this festival, the houses and vicinity are kept clean, holy clothes hoisted and puja conducted by worshipping Lord Buddha. Similarly, the Lama and gurus are gathered, dances performed making the merriment in the Tamang community.
The festival is celebrated as New Year in the Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung and Bhote communities in the mountainous region of Nepal.
In the Chinese calendar, the New Year is given various names as the Year of Mouse, Year of Cat and others.
This year’s Lhosar is the Year of Snake.
The Lhosar are of three types- Tola Lhosar, Sonam Lhosar and Gyalbo Lhosar.
The Talho Lhosar is marked in the month of Poush while the Sonam Lhosar is celebrated on Magh Shukla in the beginning of the Spring season.
Similarly, the Gyalbo Lhosar is marked by the Sherpas a month later.
On the occasion of the Sonam Lhosar, Vice-President Pramanand Jha has given a message to all Tamang sisters and brothers of the country.
In the message, Vice-President Jha has wished the festival would bring peace and prosperity among the Nepalis creating consensus and cooperation.
Similarly, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has wished peace and prosperity among Nepalis on the occasion of the Sonam Lhosar.
Unity in diversity, religious tolerance despite numerous caste, languages, cultures are Nepal’s specificities, PM Bhattarai said, adding it is the tradition of the Nepalis to respect every festival with equality. The festivals are for the protection and promotion for Nepal’s culture.
Similarly, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala has expressed best wishes to all Tamang people in the country and abroad and wished peace and prosperity.
President Koirala has also lauded the role the Tamang community played for the nationality and national unity.
Chairman of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik), Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar also extended best wishes to the Tamang people on the occasion of the Sonam Lhoshar.
Source: The Himalayan Times
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