KATHMANDU, JANUARY 19

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has extended her best wishes on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar.

In a message issued today, the Prime Minister said, "I extend my heartfelt best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Sonam Lhosar–286, Ta Lho (Year of the Horse), the national cultural festival of indigenous communities, including the Tamang people of the mountain and hilly regions."

Sonam Lhosar, primarily celebrated by the Tamang community as the beginning of the New Year, falls each year on Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the bright fortnight) of the month of Magha.

The festival is observed through the worship of ancestral deities and nature, remembrance of the Buddha's teachings, family gatherings, and the sharing of joy and goodwill among relatives.

Communities such as the Hyolmo, Thakali, Jirel, Nesyangwa, Bhote, Dura, and Lepcha also celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. Traditional dances, music, and indigenous cuisines showcased during the festivities are considered important means of preserving and promoting cultural heritage.