KATHMANDU: Amidst various cultural programmes, Gurungs in the country are celebrating Tamu Lhosar marking their New Year on Wednesday. Gurungs, one of the culturally rich indigenous communities, have their origins in the western part of the country.

The New Year day falls on December 30. The government has declared public holiday for the celebration. An estimate of Tamu Samaj affirms that there are around 450,000 Gurungs, constituting 2.43 per cent of the total population of Nepal. Most Gurungs are Buddhists. Some of them in the eastern part of the country, however, been embracing Hinduism. Gurungs in the Kathmandu Valley observe the festivities for a week.