Kathmandu, December 15: President Ram Chandra Poudel has wished happiness, peace and good health to Nepali sisters and brothers living at home and abroad on the occasion of ‘Tamu Lhosar’, the great festival of the Gurung community.
The congratulatory message issued by President Poudel states, “I am confident that festivals like Tamu Lhosar will enhance mutual goodwill, tolerance and a sense of brotherhood among all Nepalis in a multi-ethnic, multilingual and multicultural Nepali society, and will also help further strengthen national unity.”
Noting that the Gurung community living in the mountainous and highland regions of Nepal celebrates Tamu Lhosar festival with joy as the occasion of the beginning of the new year, President Poudel has clarified that this festival will be celebrated with great pomp in various districts where the Gurung community is in the majority.
The President has stated that the role of the Gurung community in preserving and enhancing Nepal’s cultural traditions and promoting tourism, as well as building an economically and socially prosperous country, is commendable. President Poudel has wished that the Tamu Lhosar festival will enhance the spirit of mutual trust and unity and provide energy to everyone to move forward on the path of progress by taking the lead in building an economically and socially prosperous country.
Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has extended his best wishes to all the sisters and brothers living at home and abroad on the occasion of the great festival of the Tamu (Gurung) community, “Tamu Lhosar”.
The statement issued today states that Lhosar, celebrated as the new year of the Tamu community, inspires everyone to protect their religion, culture, customs and traditions, and this festival has strengthened the spirit of mutual harmony, tolerance and brotherhood in Nepali society.
He expressed his best wishes, saying that Tamu Lhosar/Lhochhar can enhance the sense of mutual trust and unity among Nepalis and provide energy to everyone to move forward in building an economically and socially prosperous country.
National Assembly Chairman Dahal extends best wishes on Tamu Lhosar
National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal has expressed his best wishes on the occasion of Lhosar/Lhochhar, which is celebrated by the Tamu (Gurung) community as the beginning of the new year.
He expressed his heartfelt wishes for happiness, peace, prosperity and progressive progress to all the Tamu community living in the country and abroad, as well as to all the Nepali mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Tamu Lhosar has played a special role in the preservation, promotion and development of the traditional culture of its community. During this festival, the Tamu community gathers in their costumes, identity and customs, holds seminars, gives speeches, dances and sings, and prepares and eats various dishes.
He mentioned in the message that the Constitution institutionalizes national unity and identity based on diversity, embracing multi-ethnic, multilingual, multi-religious, multicultural characteristics, and geographical diversity as the backbone of the nation. He expressed his belief that Tamu Lhosar will inspire people to strengthen social and cultural harmony, brotherhood, and national unity among Nepali people of all castes and communities.
‘Tamu Lhosar/Lhochar’ being celebrated today
The Gurung community is celebrating ‘Tamu Lhosar’ today, welcoming the New Year. Since ‘Lho’ means year and ‘Sar’ means change, the day when the year changes is called ‘Tamu Lhosar’. Tamu Lhosar is celebrated grandly as the New Year by the Gurung community.
The festival of ‘Tamu Lhosar’ is related to the rays of the sun. It is said that in Gurung-dominated regions like Lamjung, Gorkha, Tanahun, Syangja, Manang, Kaski, Parbat, etc., this festival is celebrated on Poush 15 because the sun’s heat comes first. After this, it is believed that the festival is celebrated in Magh and Falgun because the sun’s heat comes first in the areas inhabited by the Tamang and Sherpa tribes.
It is said that this festival is also important because the night of Poush 15 is the longest and the nights after it get shorter. The government has declared a public holiday today on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar. On this occasion, the Gurung community has organized a special program in Tundikhel.
