KATHMANDU, Feb 28: The Sherpa community celebrates the Gyalpo Lhosar, a cultural festival, every year on the day of Shukla Pratipada in Falgun. Today, they are observing the festival with various programs.
The Sherpa community is marking the 2152nd Gyalpo Lhosar as their New Year. The festival is divided into 12 groups: Mouse, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon (Cloud), Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Bird, Dog, and Boar.
The community celebrates Gyalpo Lhosar grandly with various events from Falgun Shukla Pratipada to Purnima. The celebration started during the reign of Bhutan's ninth king, Ude Gungyal, and has since evolved into a spring festival. Researcher Tika Sherpa explains that over time, the festival was named Gyalpo Lhosar. Some pronounce it as Gyalpo, while others say Gyalbo.
Previously, Gyalpo Lhosar was celebrated in 12 districts of the Himalayan region, but it is now observed in 22 districts. The increase in the number of districts celebrating this festival coincides with the migration of the Sherpa community. On 15th Poush, the Gurung community celebrated Tamü Lhosar, and on Shukla Pratipada of Magh, the Tamang community also celebrated Sonam Lhosar.