KATHMANDU, Dec 30: The Gurung community is marking the 'Tamu Lhosar' as the New Year from today by bidding adieu to the old one. 

In Gurung language, 'Lho' means class and 'Sar' means change, and change in class is called as 'Tamu Lhosar', according to chairman of Gurung Samaj Resham Gurung. 

The members of Gurung community jovially mark the festival by organizing feasts and cultural programmes on Paush 15 as per the Gurung tradition, he added. Tamu Lhosar is also associated with the rays of the sun. 

The festival is marked on Paush 15 as the sunrays come early in the geography of Gurung settlements including Lamjung, Gorkha, Tanahun, Syangja, Manang, Kaski and Parbat. And then, the festival is marked gradually by Tamang and Sherpa community in Magh and Falgun months, respectively. 

The government has announced public holiday on the occasion of the Tamu Lhosar. The members of the Gurung community are organizing a special programme at Tundikhel in the capital city today. 

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and top leaders of the major political parties are scheduled to attend the programme. 

Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari has wished for happiness, peace and prosperity to all members of Nepali Gurung community living at home and abroad on the occasion of the Tamu Lhosar festival. 

In a message today, President Bhandari said that the festivals marked by different communities have made Nepal's distinct identity in the world adding that the national festivals like Tamu Lhosar have helped strengthen the feelings of brotherhood and unity among all Nepalis living in Himal, hills, Tarai and Madhes. 

Likewise, the President has wished for inspiration for economically and socially prosperous nation through tolerance among all Nepalis with excitement and merrymaking through this festival. 

Furthermore, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has also expressed best wishes towards Gurung community on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar adding that such festivals help maintain social unity, goodwill and religious tolerance. 

In a message today, the Vice President expressed the confidence that such unique festivals have great importance in the multiethnic, multilingual, multi religious and geographic diverse country like Nepal. 

 
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