Kathmandu- The Tamang community is celebrating Sonam Lhosar, the New Year festival celebrated on the first day of the first full moon of Magh, today by organizing various programs. This festival is celebrated in various districts of Bagmati Province, where the Tamang community is in the majority.

The word ‘Lhosar’ is made up of two words ‘Lho’ meaning year and ‘Chhar’ or ‘Sar’ meaning new. The Tamang community celebrates Lhosar on this day with special traditional and cultural significance. Thus, the Tamang community living in the high mountainous regions of Nepal and the hilly regions, as well as in areas where there is a high density of Buddhists, including the northern neighbor China, celebrate the New Year with great joy. This festival, which is celebrated with much pomp and show, is celebrated every year in Nepal as the beginning of the Tibetan New Year.

Background of the Tamang Community

When studying various books and researches written about the Tamang community, ‘Ta’ means horse and ‘Maang’ means fighters. In this sense, the community of brave people, the Tamangs, are indeed famous not only in Nepal but also all over the world for their courage, bravery and fighting skills. The Tamangs are known as a nature-loving community, especially in Nepal, the Tamang caste worships Kul Puja and nature on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar. In this community, today, daughters and girls are invited and given tika. In the community that celebrates Lhosar, there are twelve ‘Lho’ or years. The names of those years are found to be named after animals and birds such as rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, eagle, snake, horse, goat/sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, these years starting with the rat and ending with the year of the wild boar. The year 2025 has been called the year of the rabbit. The twelve-year cycle is also considered as the twelve zodiac signs.

The custom of celebrating Lhosar in Nepal

The custom of celebrating Lhosar in Nepal is believed to have come from China and the Chinese-administered states, because in the Chinese calendar, the new year is also called by the names of various animals and birds. In addition, the Tamang community uses its own calendar, which is different from the Chinese calendar, which is called ‘Chandra Patro’. According to Buddhism, the Tamang caste belongs to the Mahayana sect. Apart from the Tamangs, the Lhosar festival is celebrated by Sherpa, Gurung, Magar, Thakali, Jirel, Nesyangwa, Bhote, Dura and Lepcha castes.

3 types of Lhosar

The Lhosar celebrated by the Gurungs is called Tola Lhosar, the Lhosar celebrated by the Tamangs and other castes is called Sonam Lhosar, and the Lhosar celebrated by the Sherpa and Bhote castes is called Gyalpo Lhosar.

Sonam Lhosar celebrated worldwide

Sonam Lhosar festival is celebrated in Nepal and other countries where Tamang people have reached, including Singapore, Mongolia, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, Japan and other countries. Today, most of the Buddhist monasteries in these countries are decorated with colorful flags, banners, flower gates and other attractive decorating items. Such decorations made in Nepali Buddhist monasteries, mainly in the hills, attract the eye from afar, and create a feeling of immense joy.

On the occasion of Sonam Lhosar, houses and settlements are cleaned and Buddha images are hung and Buddha is worshipped. In some places, everyone gathers in one place in the presence of the village lamas and chiefs according to caste and dance. The songs sung and danced in this way are called ‘Tamang Selo’. Sung slowly but very melodiously, such Selo includes feelings of love and affection, including mountain peaks and daily life. Damphu is the signature instrument of this community. The melodious combination of damphu and Selo is enchanting. Most such community programs are held under the open sky, and people of the Tamang community dressed in traditional attire, including people of all other communities and religions, are welcomed with an open heart by this community.

Various tantric rituals and masked dances are also performed today to remove negative elements and to invoke positive elements and powers that inspire hope.

On this day, blessings from the lamas are sought and auspicious events are expected for the whole year. In this way, by organizing various programs and fairs and exchanging greetings, the Tamang community has successfully maintained its centuries-old culture and identity for generations.

On this special occasion, it is customary to make various sweet sweets and have a feast at home and meet relatives. As a community, all the people of the community gather together to celebrate the festival and give the culture and message of friendly attitude in a simple and civilized manner. The Tamang community is truly an exemplary community.
Article translated from hamro patro.