The Tamu Lhosar festival in Nepal is a unique festival celebrated by the Gurung community. It marks the beginning of their new year. The Tamu Lhosar festival is celebrated with cultural programs, gatherings, and community events.
The festival plays an important role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Gurung people in Nepal. Stay tuned to learn about the exciting things, facts and celebrations of the Tamu Lhosar festival in Nepal.
What is ‘Barga’ in tamu losar Barga?
The barga in tamu losar barga means a unique name assigned to each year in the 12-year cycle of the Gurung calendar. Each barga corresponds to a particular animal, like a mouse, cow, tiger, and cat.
What is Tamu Lhosar?
The Tamu Lhosar means Gurung New Year or New Year of the Gurung community. Tamu losar in Nepali Language is called gurung naya barsha.
The term ‘tamu’ refers to the “gurung people." While ‘lhosar’ is derived from the tibetan and is combined from the two different words, ‘Lho’ and ‘Sar.’ The ‘Lho’ means ‘year’ and ‘Sar’ means ‘new’.
According to astrology, each year in the gurung calendar is associated with a specific animal from a 12-year cycle. Those animals include the garuda (eagle), serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, and cat. So, this year, the festival marks the transition from the "Year of the Mouse" to the "Year of the Cat."
In short, the festival is both a celebration of the Gurung New Year and an astrological event marking the shift from one animal year to the next in the Gurung zodiac.
When is Tamu Lhosar celebrated?
The tamu lhosar festival in Nepal 2024 date is Monday, Dec 30. According to the Nepali calendar, the festival is going to be celebrated on the 15th day of Poush, 2081 BS. The Tamu Lhosar 2025 will be celebrated on Dec 30.
History of Tamu Lhosar festival in Nepal
The Tamu Lhosar festival history can be traced back to the Rana Period in Nepal. The Gurung people were one of Nepal's 59 indigenous groups who brought Buddhism to Nepal when migrating from Tibet in the 7th century.
The Gurung communities developed the ceremonies and rituals associated with important life events such as birth, marriage, and death. Among those ceremonies and rituals, Tamu Lhosar evolved into a major festival within their cultural practices.
Initially, the festival was celebrated on the Poush Shukla Pratipada. However, in 1961, a tamu losar date was standardized to the 15th of Poush based on the solar calendar.
Cultural Importance of Tamu Lhosar Festival
The Tamu Lhosar festival is a powerful expression of the Gurung identity. During the festival, communities come together to celebrate their heritage with traditional dances, music, and cuisine. Events such as Chandi Dance and Ghatu Dance are popular among them.
The festival plays an important role in preserving the Gurung cultural heritage. Families take part in various rituals associated with honoring ancestors and deities. It is believed to foster a deep connection to their spiritual beliefs.
Elders are the main person who plays an important role in passing down the traditions during the festival. To do this, they include the educational programs and rituals that help younger generations understand the cultural inspiration of the festivals.
In addition, the tamu lhosar encourages participation from the diverse ethnic groups. The festival promotes interethnic interactions and cultural exchanges. It is believed that these activities enhance social harmony across Nepal's multicultural landscape.
Religious Importance of Tamu Lhosar festival
The festival is deeply rooted in spiritual beliefs. It honours deities and ancestors who are thought to influence natural phenomena. This unique connection to spirituality strengthens the identity of the community and respect for their cultural roots.
The rituals, like worshiping deities and conducting special ceremonies, reflect the Gurung people’s spiritual values. These practices are fundamental to their identity and serve to invoke prosperity for the coming year.
Preparations, Key Traditions and Customs
The preparations for the Tamu Lhosar Festival in Nepal 2024 take place in three major parts: timeline and planning, rituals and offerings, and cultural attire and festivities.
- Timeline and Planning
Festival preparations for Tamu Lhosar begin a week before the actual festival comes. The Gurung families clean their homes and decorate them with colorful motifs and traditional artwork.
The elderly to discuss and finalize plans for the tamu lhosar festival celebrations. The elders ensure that all aspects of the celebrations, from rituals to community gatherings, are covered.
- Cultural Attire and Festivities
The Tamu lhosar festival celebration includes wearing cultural attire and lively festivities. During the festival, Gurung men wear a dress called Bhangra (a white shirt-like garment) paired with a Kachhad (a type of kilt).
The women's attire is ghalek (a maroon velvet blouse), along with a long skirt. They wear the attire with large gold earrings and semi-precious stone necklaces.
There are various activities done during the festival, including preparation, feasting and cultural performances. Besides it, large gatherings occur at venues like Tudikhel, where people engage in singing, dancing, and cultural programs.
- Family reunion
Family reunion is an important part of the Tamu Lhosar festival in Nepal. Especially on this day, families come together to exchange greetings, share meals, and participate in communal activities.
From the beginning of the festival preparation to the dancing and concluding the festival, the family members are together. They celebrate together. They enjoy it together.
- Feasts and special food
During the festival, various types of food are prepared and shared among the family members. The common traditional dish includes Sel Roti, Khapse (Tibetan bread), Achar, Tongba (local alcoholic beverage), meat dishes, and gutung (hearty soup made with nine types of beans, meat, rice, and vegetables).
- Cultural Performances and Dance
The tamu lhosar festival is celebrated with cultural performances and dance. Some of the key dance performances include Chandi Dance, Ghatu Dance, and Syarge Dance. The additional cultural activities are folk songs and storytelling, martial arts demonstrations, and community feasting.
- Rituals and Offerings
Rituals and offerings are the main part of the festival celebrations. Villagers collect items like corn, millet, rice, and specific plants like Ranijhar and Bhakimlo. These items are used as offerings for the purification rites.
On the day of the Tamu Lhosar festival, the procession is held. The villagers participate in the traditional dances and performances. Symbolic items like mock weapons, crafted from the wood materials, are used to represent protection against evil spirits.
- Gifts and Blessings
During the festival, people share warm greetings and good wishes along with traditional gifts. The sharing of meals is also considered a form of gift. Besides the gifts, people visit the monasteries and stupas to seek blessings from monks.
How is Tamu Lhosar celebrated in cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu?
The government declares a public holiday on the day of the festival. Tamu Lhosar celebrations in Kathmandu take place with a series of organized events. A cultural march through the streets is organized from Newroad to Tundikhel. Participants wear traditional attire and engage in cultural dances.
In tundikhel, various cultural programs featuring the traditional dances, songs, and performances are held. The whole Tundikhel area is adorned with colorful decorations and stalls.
In addition, Tamu lhosar celebrations in Pokhara are exactly like the kathmandu, except for some unique local elements. The mass gathering happens in areas like Pokhara Exhibition Center. Community members gather for speeches, cultural performances, and awards to notable individuals within the Gurung community.
How has Tamu Lhosar adapted to the contemporary world?
As of now, the festival has seen various adaptations influenced by globalization and urbanization. Modern-day elements like DJ parties and social media sharing are added to the traditional festivities. The Tamu Lhosar 2024 celebrations are the proof of the blend of old and new traditions.
The festival was originally celebrated to preserve and promote the Gurung culture and identity. From this motive to evolving as a multifaceted event that reflects broader changes within the community and society at large.
Things to do during the festival
Alongside festival celebrations, you can do the various things. Nepal is a place where various types of activities like trekking, touring, and hiking can be done.
- Trekking and hiking opportunities
During the Tamu Lhosar Festival 2024, you can go trekking or hiking for better immersion in the festival environment. Some of the best trekking ideas during the festival are annapurna circuit with tilicho lake trek, manaslu circuit trek, langtang valley trek, ghorepani poonhill trek, and so on.
The hikes that you can try during the festival are shivapuri national park hike, Phulchowki Hike, sarangkot hike, and so on. These hikes and treks give you the best festival experiences along with some thrills.
- Cultural experiences
During the Tamu lhosar, various cultural programs are organized. You can participate in one of these programs. The major celebrations in Kathmandu take place in Tundikhel.
Furthermore, you can visit the Buddhist stupas such as Boudhanath and Swayambhunath to seek blessings during this time. During the festival, these places are filled with crowds and various cultural rituals are performed there.
- Heritage tours in Kathmandu Valley
Heritage tours inside Kathmandu Valley are one of the best options to experience the rich cultural traditions and vibrant festivities. Some of the best places to visit during the heritage tour are Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, Namo Buddha Stupa, and so on.
Tips for tourists attending the festival
- Understand the Tamu Lhosar festival in Nepal to enhance your experience.
- Engage in local cultural events such as traditional dances like Ghatu dance and Chand dance.
- Visit the key celebration locations, including Gurung-dominated districts like Lamjung and Gorkha and Kathmandu's Tundikhel ground, to experience the large gatherings and organized festivities.
- Wearing traditional Gurung attire can enhance your experience and show respect for the culture.
- Try different traditional dishes, such as Sel roti (a type of rice doughnut) and Gutung (a hearty soup with various ingredients).
- Always ask for permission before photographing individuals or sacred sites.
- Engage with locals and participate in community activities while being mindful of cultural sensitivities.
- Book accommodations and transportations in advance, as there will be large crowds and potentially limited services in the hotels and transportations.
- Stay updated on any local health guidelines or restrictions that may be in place during your visit.
Conclusion
Tamu Lhosar, also known as the Gurung New Year, is a significant festival celebrated by the Gurung community in Nepal. In 2024, Tamu Lhosar will be marked with vibrant celebrations in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The festival's history traces back centuries, with joyous festivities including Tamu Lhosar Barga, music, and dance.
Best wishes on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar. May this Lhosar bring lots of happiness, prosperity, and joy in you and your family's life.
