PM Karki extends best wishes on Sonam Lhosar

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has extended best wishes on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar.

In a message issued today, the Prime Minister said, “I extend my heartfelt best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Sonam Lhosar–286, Ta Lho (Year of the Horse), the national cultural festival of indigenous communities, including the Tamang people of the mountain and hilly regions.”

Sonam Lhosar, which is primarily celebrated by the Tamang community as the beginning of the New Year, falls each year on Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the bright fortnight) of the month of Magha. The festival is marked by worship of ancestral deities and nature, remembrance of the Buddha’s teachings, family gatherings, and the sharing of joy and goodwill among family members and relatives.

The Hyolmo, Thakali, Jirel, Nesyangwa, Bhote, Dura, and Lepcha communities also observe the festival with enthusiasm. Traditional dances, music, and indigenous cuisines showcased during the celebrations are regarded as important means of preserving cultural heritage.