Kathmandu, 30th January: President Ram Chandra Poudel has expressed his belief that festivals like Sonam Lhosar will help further strengthen national unity. Expressing his best wishes on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar, a festival of the Tamang community, he expressed his belief that festivals like Sonam Lhosar will enhance mutual harmony, tolerance and a sense of brotherhood among all Nepalis in the multi-ethnic, multilingual and multicultural Nepali society.
“I hope that the Sonam Lhosar festival will further strengthen the unity among all Nepalis and provide energy to everyone to move forward to build an economically and socially prosperous country,” President Poudel said.
The Sonam Lhosar festival is celebrated every year on the first day of Magh Shukla Pratipada as the new year of the Tamang community. During this festival, the Tamang community observes family worship, nature worship, and the message of Buddha, as well as gathers relatives and entertains them, exchanging happiness with each other. Along with the Tamangs living in different parts of the country, other castes such as Hyolmo, Thakali, Jirel, Nesyangwa, Bhote, Dura, Lepcha, etc. have been celebrating this festival according to their own style and traditions.
Unity helps strengthen national spirit: Vice President
Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav has expressed his belief that strong and profound unity within the Nepali social diversity will help further strengthen the national spirit of Nepal. Expressing his best wishes on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar today, he mentioned that this festival, which is a cultural heritage, should be celebrated as a symbol of the identity and self-respect of all Nepalese.
“This reminds us of our responsibility to preserve and promote our original traditions, culture and cultural heritage. The original and cultural dances, songs and music organized on this occasion help in preserving Nepali culture. I believe that the special and traditional sweet dishes prepared during Lhosar have helped in keeping our traditional customs alive and passing them down to the next generation,” Vice President Yadav said.
The Tamangs living in different parts of Nepal, including Hyolmo, Thakali, Jirel, Nesyangwa, Bhote, Dura, Lepcha, etc., have been celebrating this festival as a new year according to their own original culture and traditions. The main features of this festival are collectivism, land worship, clan worship, donation and exchange of good wishes with each other.
Vice President Yadav expressed his belief that Sonamalhosar will inspire everyone to forget their anger, resentment, hostility, disorder, conflict and hatred and share happiness and joy with each other. “The Constitution of Nepal has adopted republicanism, federalism, equality, inclusiveness, secularism and the rule of law. Our republican constitutional system has protected multi-ethnicity, multi-language, multi-culture, multi-costume etc. and has worked to connect all regions, geographies, religions, communities and cultures. I am confident that this festival will also inspire in that,” he said.
Various festivals have made Nepali society more prosperous: Speaker
Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that festivals of every Nepali caste have made Nepali society more prosperous. Expressing best wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepali sisters and brothers living at home and abroad on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar, 2081, he mentioned that festivals like Lhosar provide an opportunity to strengthen mutual unity and coordination among the Nepali community.
The important festival of the Tamang community, Sonam Lhosar, is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm at the beginning of the new year. The festival, which means ‘Lho’ meaning year and ‘Sar’ meaning new, conveys a message of new energy, prosperity and positive change, said Speaker Ghimire. “Sonam Lhosar is a unique festival of the Tamang community. With the tunes of the Dampu Baja, the rhythm of the Tamang Selo, traditional costumes and special dishes, this festival has become a unique example of cultural vitality,” he said.
