KATHMANDU: People of the Tamang community are celebrating Sonam Lhosar with great fervour by extending wishes to each other and feasting on traditional cuisines today.

On the occasion of the community's New Year festival, President Bidya Devi Bhandari has extended greetings to the Tamang community.

The day is celebrated on the first day of the new moon during the Nepali month of Magh.

In her message, the President wished the people from the Tamang community peace, happiness, prosperity, good health, fraternity and progress.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has also expressed his greetings to the people of the community.

"The country is characterised by diversities in language, culture, lifestyle and religion and unity in diversity and national sovereignty is our common identity," Dahal said.

He said all the cultures in the country have their own importance, adding this type of cultural festivals being celebrated since the past would help further promote mutual intimacy, fraternity, unity and goodwill.

Tamangs divide their years into 12 cycles, each one for a year, which is given a special name, represented by one of the 12 animals for each year.