Happy Sonam Lhosar festival

Why to Celebrate Sonam Lhosar

In Sonam Lhosar the Tamang people visit monasteries and stupas where special rituals with mask dance are performed to drive away evil spirits. The houses and surroundings are cleaned to welcome gods and goddesses. Pork, chicken, mutton, fish, and sweet deserts are consumed in the Sonam Lhosar.

Traditions of Sonam Lhosar

The word Lhosar means New Year or beginning of a new era and Sonam Lhosar is the Tamang New Year.

Tamangs are indigenous people from Nepal. They have their own culture and dialects which distinguish them from other ethnic groups. Tamang means Horse Traders. In Nepal, the main Tamang community is located in the central highlands as well around Kathmandu Valley

When is Sonam Lhosar?

This holiday is a public holiday in Nepal and Sikkim, India.

Sonam Lhosar is celebrated on the first day of the new moon during the month of Magh in the Bikram Sambat calendar.

This holiday is known as Sonam Lohosar in Nepal and as Sonam Lochar in Sikkim. It may be celebrated on a different day in India and Nepal depending on how the lunar calendar is interpreted.

~Amit Shrivastava