KATHMANDU, JANUARY 22

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said Nepal is rich in the world in terms of culture and civilization.

Addressing the Sonam Lhosar Ceremony marking the 2859th Tamang Lhosar Festival in Kathmandu today, he observed that Nepal's art, culture and civilization has its uniqueness and characteristics.

'I extend my best wishes to all Lhosar celebrating sisters and brothers within the country and abroad for their good health, prosperity, progress and for the wellbeing of the entire humanity on the auspicious occasion of the Lhosar Festival- the 2859th Hyoie Tawar Lho (the year of the cat) celebrated by the mountain indigenous nationality communities including the Tamangs.'

Stating that Nepal is a confluence of major civilizations from the east, west, north and south, PM Dahal said Nepal is home to 125 ethnic communities, 123 linguistic communities and more than 10 religious communities.

All the castes and ethnic communities living in Nepal have their own traditions, customs and culture, and the combined and integrated form of all these cultures is the Nepal's national culture.

'That our country is a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic, multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation is itself a matter of pride for the Nepalis,' he said, terming it as the national asset.

The Prime Minister described the Lhosar culture and Tamang ethos as an integral part of the Nepal's national culture. He viewed that Lhosar is one of the world's oldest cultural tradition.