KATHMANDU, Nepal – Tamang community across the country are celebrating their 2848th New Year on the day of Sonam Lhosar on Friday amidst much fanfare.
The day is celebrated on the first day of new moon under the Tibetan lunar calender.
The indigenous people will bid farewell to the Snake Year and welcome the Year of the Horse.
Sonam Lhosar, the greatest festival of the Tamang people is also celebrated in China, India, Bhutan, Thailand and Burma organizing various programmes and exchanging greetings with each other.
Tamangs constitute 5.8 per cent of the country’s total population and are the fifth largest community in Nepal.
The government has also declared a public holiday on Friday to celebrate the festival nationwide.
President Ram Baran Yadav has extended greetings to all the Tamang people living at home and abroad for peace, happiness and prosperity.
In a message, he expressed confidence that Sonam Lhosar will strengthen the identity of Tamangs and promote the feeling of brotherhood among all the Nepalis.