How is lhosar celebrated ?

 

Lhosar is celebrated by various Buddhist communities in Nepal.  the word meaning of ‘Lho’ is year and sar, the new. Hence, Lhosar indicates the beginning of new year and farewell to the old.

People like Sherpa, Tamang,Gurung, celebrate this festival. It is begins at the full moon in February and lasts for 15 days. The first three days are more important. The Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are decorated with eye catching colorful prayer flags pulling the crowd. People perform their traditional dances and welcome their New Year.

   

There are three types of Lhosar  : tola Loshar, sonam Lhosar and Gyalbo Loshar. Tola Loshar is familiar amongst the gurung community. Sonam Loshar is celebrated by the tamang abd tolmo communities. Similarly Gyalbo Lhosar is the festival of the Sherpa. These different communities celebrate lhosar in different ways to welcome the New Year and bid farewell to the old.