KATHMANDU, Jan 18: People from Tamang community are celebrating Sonam Lhosar with fanfare by extending greetings to one another and feasting on traditional cuisines today. 

Sonam Lhosar is observed with much fanfare as an occasion of the start of a new year, by the Tamang community people in Nepal. ‘Lho’ means year and ‘Sar’ means new or fresh if translated, and the word ‘Sonam’ refers to the Tamang people in Nepal, thus the festival ‘Sonam Lhosar’ is the New Year event, according to the calendar followed by Tamang people which falls on Magh Shukla Pakshya every year, according to the Lunar calendar.

According to Manju Shree calendar, Tamangs divide their year into 12 cycles; each is given a special name, before the name of animals. This year the Tamang community is celebrating the year of Rat Year which starts from January 25 marking the end of Pig Year.

In this festival, the houses and neighborhood are kept clean, holy clothes hoisted and pooja conducted by worshipping Lord Buddha. The Lama and gurus gather, and dances are performed in the Tamang community. People take blessings from monks and elders for their progress, prosperity and happiness. The events are followed by extensive feasts in houses. The varieties of food like pigs, duck, chicken and sweet desserts are prepared for the family gathering.

Bagmati province government declared public holiday at all 13 districts of the province on January 24 on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar.

Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Oli have also wished happiness, peace, prosperity and progress to all Nepalis at home and abroad on the occasion of the Sonam Lhosar. 

Similarly, Chief Minister of Bagmati State Dormani Poudel has also extended best wishes to Tamang community on the occasion of Lhosar festival today. Saying 'Lyhocharla Jyabadanba Muwa' or happy New Year in Tamang language, CM Poudel has wished the New Year develops fraternity and brotherhood among the Nepalis

 
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