In pictures: Tamu Lhosar being celebrated today

Kathmandu, December 30 — The Gurung community has celebrated Tamlu Lhosar today, welcoming the New Year.

"Lho" means year and "Sar" refers to change, thus Tamlu Lhosar signifies the day of the changing year. The Gurung community celebrates Tamlu Lhosar as their New Year with grandeur.

The Tamlu Lhosar festival is linked to the sun's rays. It is believed that the sun’s heat reaches the regions with a predominance of the Gurung community, such as Lamjung, Gorkha, Tanahun, Syangja, Manang, Kaski, and Parbat, earlier than other places. As a result, the festival is celebrated on Poush 15.

According to tradition, the festival is later celebrated in regions inhabited by Tamangs and Sherpas, such as in Magh and Falgun, as the sun's heat reaches these areas afterward.

The importance of the day is also linked to the longest night occurring on Poush 15, with nights getting shorter thereafter.

The government has declared a public holiday on the occassion. The Gurung community has organized special events at Tundikhel to mark the occasion.

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