Gyalpo Lhosar being observed across the country today

Kathmandu. The Sherpa community is observing the Gyalpo Lhosar festival by organizing various programs today. Lho means year and Chhar means new. The Sherpa community celebrates it as the New Year.

On the occasion of the festival, the Sherpa community has a tradition of cleaning the roads and water sources in their villages and settlements, eating nine types of food mixed with grains like guthuk and khapse and welcoming the New Year by exchanging greetings among themselves. This festival is taken as an opportunity to promote family and social togetherness.

According to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, including the Sherpa community living in the mountainous region of Nepal, the Gyalpo Lhosar is celebrated with the belief that the new year begins on the day of Falgun Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi by counting the lunar month. The melodious tunes of Syabru dance, Tungana (Damyang) and collective gaiety make the Gyalpo Lhosar even more meaningful.

This festival being celebrated as the New Year would further strengthen the feeling of mutual love, brotherhood, goodwill and unity in the society by carrying new hope, excitement and gaiety. The government has also declared a public holiday today on the occasion.