Kathmandu, February 7:

Tamang and Tibetan communities today celebrated the first-day of the three-day festivity of Losar.

The festival is observed to marking the advent of New Year according to Tibetan calendar.

The year of earth mouse 2135 has begun today bidding adieu to the year of pig for Buddhist communites. Tamang and Tibetan communities, who celebrate Losar in two different dates, have come to celebrate the day as one this year. Tamangs celebrate Losar as ‘Sonam Lhosar’ on Magh Sukla Pratipada (First day of the waxing moon according to lunar calendar) and Sherpa and Tibetan communities on Falgun Sukla Pratipada as Ghyalbo Lhosar.

But this year both the communities are celebrating the festival on the same day.

Khempo Dorje Lama of Hazar Buddha Gumba, Boudha, said that astrologically 20 days of fluctation occurs in every three years and this year Ghyalbo Losar has came a month ahead.

He added the celebration would not fall on the same date next year, “this happens in every three years.”