Kathmandu, February 18:

Lamas and philosophers today stressed on the need to merge the three Lhosar celebrations, observed separately by Gurungs, Tamangs and Sherpas.

Gurungs, Tamangs, Sherpas and Tibetan communities celebrate Lhosar on the first day of the waxing moon of Poush, Magh and Falgun, respectively, as Tola Lhosar, Sonam Lhosar and Ghyalbo Lhosar.

Talking to this daily, Khempo Dorje Lama of Hazar Buddha Gumba, Boudha, said, “We celebrated Lhosar today but the other members of the our community did not celebrate it today.”

He said celebrating Lhosar thrice a year by three different communities looks odd and irrational and also signifies fragmentation in religion.

Sampurna Kumar Lama (Tamang), secretary of the Boudha Ghyang Guthi, was for merging the three Lhosars that are celebrated separately.

“At a time when we are demanding a public holiday during Lhosar, how can the government give holidays on three different dates. Celebrating only one Lhosar would simplify the government’s job,” he said.

Namgyal Sherpa of Dengeling Gumba, Okhaldhunga, also underscored merger of the three Lhosars.

He said the festival should be merged and the celebrations made more popular and interesting rather than competing with one another.