Sherpa Community Celebrates Gyalpo Losar Festival Marking New Year

Kathmandu. The Sherpa community is celebrating the Gyalpo Losar festival today through various programs. Losar means year, and 'Lho' means year, while 'Sar' means new. The Sherpa community celebrates this as their New Year.

On the occasion of the festival, the Sherpa community has a tradition of cleaning roads and water sources in their villages and neighborhoods, eating 'Guthuk' and 'Khapse'—dishes made from nine types of grains—and exchanging greetings to welcome the New Year. This festival is regarded as an opportunity to enhance family and social harmony.

Gyalpo Losar is celebrated by the Sherpa community residing in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, as well as by followers of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, based on the lunar calendar, believing the New Year begins on the first day of the bright half of the month of Falgun. The festival is made even more meaningful by Syabru dances, the sweet melodies of Tungna (Damnyang), and collective joy.

It is also believed that this festival, celebrated as the New Year, brings new hope, enthusiasm, and joy, helping to further strengthen the feelings of mutual love, brotherhood, goodwill, and unity in society. This festival further deepens relationships between family, friends, and the community, creating an environment of cooperation and understanding.

On this occasion, visiting monasteries, receiving blessings from religious leaders and lamas, tasting special dishes like Khapse, Deshil, Guthuk, and spending joyful time with family are integral parts of Nepali identity.