KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has extended greetings to the Gurung community on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar, the community’s New Year festival.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli also expressed his greetings to the people for the festival. He said the culture of representing years with 12 different animals has its own importance.

Gurung people today celebrate the festival by exchanging greetings and wishing each other happiness, peace and prosperity.

To commemorate the festival a programme showcasing various cultural events and traditional cuisine is scheduled to be held in Tundhikhel to mark the festival.

The Gurungs divide time in a cycle of 12 years and each year is represented by 12 different animals--garuda, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog, deer, mouse, cow, tiger and cat. This year is the year of Monkey.

Tamu Lhosar is celebrated every year on the 15th of Nepali month of Poush.