KATHMANDU, Nepal– Many Himalayan ethnic groups including indigenous Sherpa residing in northern mountainous region are welcoming the year of the horse, celebrating their new year– Ghyalpo Lhosar, across the country, Sunday.
The Sherpa community celebrates this festival for three days with special reverence.
On the New Year Day, the Sherpas put up festoon on hill tops while on the first day; they get up early, perform worships at home, visit the monasteries and take blessings from the Lama priests there. On the second day, family gatherings are held and enjoy delicacies. The day is called the Family Lhosar.
The third day of the festival is dedicated to the worship of the different deities believed to guard the community. These deities are called the Dharmapals or the guardians of the religion.
President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala extended best wishes to the Sherpa Community on the occasion.
In his message Prime Minister Koirala stated that Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious country adding that unity in diversity and national pride are country’s collective identity.
Sherpas live in Solukhumbu, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sankhuwasabha, Humla, Jumla, Dolap, Mugu among other Himalayan districts. According to the latest census, their population is about 500 thousand.
In the meantime, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized United Lhosar 2014 programme in Kathmandu.
Aiming to preserve Sherpa’s culture and promote it in international arena, TAAN has been celebrating Lhosar festival by organizing various programs for the past two and half decades.
The government has announced public holiday today to mark the day.