Tamu Lhosar
Tamu Lhosar is a new year festival celebrated by the Gurung people. It is celebrated on every 15th Poush of the Nepali calendar and is observed as a public holiday.
Similar to the Lhosars celebrated by other ethnic groups such as Tamangs and Sherpas, the Gurungs divide the years into 12 cycles, known as Lohokor, with each cycle represented by a different animal. These animals are the eagle, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog, deer, mouse, cow, tiger and cat.
In Tamu kyi, the word Lhosar represents "new" and "change", with each of the 12 animals signifying a new Lho. The celebration of Lhosar signifies a farewell to the existing Lho to welcome the new one.
Activities
During the festival, prayer flags are placed on major Buddhist stupas such as Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, as well as on the roofs of people's homes. People dress up in traditional attire, with men wearing bhangra, a white apron and a kachhad, a Nepalese traditional white, wrap-around skirt reaching the thighs or knees. Women wear ghalek and gunyo-cholo, a velvet blouse, and adorn gold ornaments such as earrings and semi-precious stone necklaces. Traditional dances such as the Ghatu dance and Chudka are performed, alongside songs such as "Thado Bhaka".Home-made Raksi is served during the festivities.