Losar is the Tibetan New Year celebrated in Nepal, among other countries. It is a time for new beginnings and for purifying the negativity of the past year. The word Losar comes from the Tibetan words “lo” meaning “year” and “sar” meaning “new.” The festival takes place in February or March depending on the lunar calendar. Losar in Nepal is celebrated grandly and festively. It is a time for family and community gatherings, feasting, and exchanging gifts. It is a public holiday in Nepal for different types of Losar. Generally, there are 3 types of Losar celebrated in Nepal. They are Tamu, Sonam, and Gyalbo Losar. The different types of Losar according to different communities in Nepal are described in this blog.
Types of Losar in Nepal
1. Gyalbo Losar
Gyalpo Losar is the Sherpa‘s New Year, a significant day during the Tibetan New Year or Losar celebrations in Nepal. It is believed that the kings of the past would deliver a message of hope and prosperity for the coming year on this day. Today, the local king or tribal leader addresses the community in some parts of Nepal. Gyalpo Losar is marked by traditional dances, music, and other cultural performances. This festival offers a glimpse into the unique culture and traditions of the Sherpa people and provides an opportunity for visitors to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Nepalese people.
Why it is Celebrated?
According to Tibetan tradition, during the reign of the 28th Tibetan king, Thothori Nyantsen, an old woman named Belma introduced the measurement of time based on the phases of the moon. This was considered a significant event and was celebrated as Gyalpo Losar, the King’s New Year. It is believed to have been celebrated from the reign of Pude Gungyal, the 9th emperor of Tibet
How it is celebrated?
On the first day, people offer prayers to their ancestors and the gods to ensure good health, prosperity, and happiness for the coming year. They drink a traditional drink called Changkol which is similar to Chhaang. The second day of Losar is called Gyalpo Losar or king’s New Year. It is believed that on this day, the kings of the past would address their subjects and deliver a message of hope and prosperity for the new year. This tradition is still followed in some parts of Nepal, where the local king or tribal leader addresses the community.
On the third and final day of Gyalbo Losar, people visit their relatives and friends and exchange gifts. This day is also known as Chunga Choepa, meaning the offering of the first meal of the new year. People prepare a special meal consisting of meat, rice, and various other dishes and offer it to the gods and ancestors before consuming it themselves. At last, Sonam Losar is not just a festival of the Tamang community but also a celebration of Nepalese culture and traditions. The festival offers an opportunity for visitors to experience the unique customs, music, and dance of the Tamang people and provides a glimpse into the rich cultural diversity of Nepal.
2. Sonam Losar
Sonam Losar, also known as Tamang Losar, is a festival celebrated by the Tamang community of Nepal to mark the beginning of a new year. It usually falls in late January or early February every year. Sonam Losar is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is a time for family and community gatherings. The celebration involves the preparation of traditional Tamang food such as sel roti (a type of sweet bread), gundruk (fermented leafy vegetables), kwati (mixed bean soup), and meat dishes. The Tamang people also perform their traditional dances, such as Syabru, Khamba Jongba, and Chudka during the festival. The festival is also marked by the exchange of gifts and the wearing of new clothes. People visit their relatives and friends to exchange greetings and wish each other good health and prosperity for the coming year.
One of the unique features of Sonam Losar is the Tamang community’s practice of welcoming the New Year by drinking a special brew called ‘chhyang’ made from millet, maize, or rice. This is accompanied by feasting, singing, and dancing throughout the night.
3. Tamu Losar
Tamu Losar is a new year festival celebrated by the Gurung community of Nepal to mark their New Year. It falls on the 15th day of Poush month in the Nepali calendar, which usually falls in late December or early January. Like as Tamu Losar is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is a time for family and community gatherings. The celebration involves the preparation of traditional Gurung food such as Sel roti (a type of sweet bread). The Gurung people also perform their traditional dances, such as Ghatu, Sorathi, and Jyaure, and sing their folk songs during the festival. The festival is also marked by the exchange of gifts and the wearing of new clothes. People visit their relatives and friends to exchange greetings and wish each other good health and prosperity for the coming year.
Tamu Losar is not only celebrated in Nepal but also in other countries such as India, Bhutan, and Myanmar where the Gurung community resides. The festival offers a glimpse into the unique culture and traditions of the Gurung people and provides an opportunity for visitors to experience the warmth and hospitality of the Gurung people.
Also Read: About Sherpas
