KATHMANDU: The 2137th Gyalbo Lhosar--the annual festival of the indigenous Sherpa community--was celebrated today amid much fanfare across the country on Sunday. The festival also marks the beginning of the year of Tiger as per the Buddhist calendar. On the occasion, the government had declared a public holiday today.

Lhosar revellers belonging to the Sherpa community today thronged the Buddhist monasteries and holy places in large numbers to offer prayers to Lord Buddha and received blessings from the elders. They also wished each other peace, prosperity and good health. Various programmes featuring Sherpa culture and tradition were also organised in the capital to mark the event.

Meanwhile, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav extended his greetings to all Nepali brothers and sisters, who observed the Gyalbo Lhosar and the New Year 2137 both at home and abroad.

In a message, President Yadav said that all festivals, calendar years, culture and customs were the common heritage of the nation. He also expressed his confidence that such festivals would help all the Nepalis to move forward on the path of nationality.

Likewise, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal extended his best wishes for the happiness, peace and prosperity of the members of the Sherpa community marking the festival.

Describing Nepal as a culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse country, the PM said national unity and self-pride among the diverse groups was the national identity of Nepali people.