With the slogan "Lhochhar for unity", people of Gurung (Tamu) community
are observing Tamu Lhochhar amidst much fanfare and joviality throughout
the country and abroad Tuesday.
According to Gurung calendar, Poush 15 (December 30) marks the beginning
of another year. The Gurung people celebrate this important festival as
Tola Lhochhar on the 12 month of the English calendar every year by taking
blessings from respected elders and exchanging greetings among family
members and friends. Lhocchar means "New Year" in English: "Lho" meaning
year and "cchar" meaning new. Some Gurung people also count their age by
calculating Lho.
Scientific evidences have shown that the every year the longest as well as
the coldest night falls on December 22. The Gurung community, however,
believes December 30 to be the day, and by tradition, mark the day as the
beginning of the New Year. This festival is also celebrated by Tamang,
Sherpa, Hyalomo people in Nepal and is popular in Tibet, India and Bhutan.
On the occasion of Lhochhar festival the Gurung community residing in the
Kathmandu valley are organizing various programmes. Today is the second
day of the week-long celebrations and is being marked by special cultural
programme at the open air theater in Tudhikhel as well many parks and open
spaces around the city.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal including top political party leaders
and dignitaries are expected to attend the function.
The community held cultural programs on the eve of the festival in many
parts of the country on Monday.
Meanwhile, issuing a message on the occasion, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav
extended best wishes of Tamu Lhochhar and expressed hope that the festival
will help bring peace and prosperity in the country.
Similarly, PM Dahal has also wished peace, prosperity and happiness to his
countrymen on the occasion.
Issuing a message on Monday, he said that the country is ethnically,
linguistically, religiously and culturally diverse and claimed they are
all "a symbol of national unity and pride".
He also praised the Gurung community for their rich culture, language and
traditions and said the community has played important role in developing
the tradition and culture of the country.
Similarly, leaders of various political parties also extended their
heartfelt greetings to all Tamu communities both at home and abroad on the
occasion of Lhochhar.
The government declared a national holiday today to celebrate the festival.
On the auspicious occasion of Lhochhar, Nepalnews would like to extend
heartfelt greetings to all its viewers. nepalnews.com Dec 30 08
