Sonam Lhosar – The New Year of Tamang Community

Sonam Lhosar is the new year of the Tamang community in Nepal and some parts of India. This is an annual celebration that takes place in the Magh month according to the Bikram Sambat Calendar and on the first day of the new moon. This is a very important festival for the Tamang community in Nepal; the government of Nepal grants a public holiday on this day.

Nepal is the land of multi-ethnic groups, multi-cultures, and multiple traditions, so recently the Gurung people celebrated Tamu Lhosar. Tamu Lhosar is the new year of the Gurung community same as Sonam Lhosar is the new year of the Tamang Community. And Gyalpo Lhosar is the new year of the Sherpa and Hyolmo people, and also some Tamang people. In the Tamang language, Lho means year and Sar means new so in the combination of Lhosar is a new year.

In the Tamang culture and tradition, they divide years into 12 cycles. Each year, different animals such as the Cow, Mouse, Pig, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Horse, Tiger, Snake, Dragon, Cat, and Boer. All these animals follow a year, and the Tamang people count their years on those animals. This festival takes place for 5 days.

In Nepal, Sonam Lhosar is celebrated everywhere, especially where the majority of people are Tamang. Such as Kavrepalanchok, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Okhaldunga, Sinduli, Ramechhap, etc. Kathmandu is the center of the different ethnic groups, so here also, people celebrate this festival grandly.

During this festival, houses of the Tamang people are decorated with prayer flags, and they paint new colors. People will go to the monastery to pray for their ancestors and the welfare of all the living things on this earth. All the family members get together in their house and call their relatives to join a party. At that party, older people put on Tika and give blessings to younger people. And of course, eat their traditional foods.

Name of the Animals that indicate Sonam Lhosar

On the occasion of Sonam Lhosar, people will wear their traditional costumes and ornaments. Especially women dressed up beautifully and men as well. Although they both have the same kind of hat. Singing and dancing are also part of this celebration.  

This year, Sonam Lhosar is going to celebrate Thursday 5th of Magh, as per the Nepali calendar. And 3rd January 2026 is the English date. Let’s be ready to celebrate this great festival.