Editorial photo #13234670 Human Interest
Tamang Community Of Nepal Celebrates Lhoshar
Members of Nepal's indigenous Tamang community perform a Horse Dance during a mass celebration event on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 24, 2026. According to the Manjushree calendar, the 2862nd year starts. The Sonam Lhosar festival is celebrated every year on the occasion of Magh Shukla Pratipada with various programs. Sonam Lhosar is divided into 12 categories: rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon (cloud), snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog, and pig. The indigenous Tamang community celebrates the year of the Horse this year. The festival is especially celebrated in different districts of the Bagmati region where the Tamang caste is predominant. 'Lho' means year and 'Sar' means new or fresh when translated, and the word 'Sonam' refers to the Tamang people in Nepal. Thus, the festival 'Sonam Lhosar' is the New Year event according to the calendar followed by the Tamang people. In this festival, the houses and neighborhood are kept clean, holy clothes are hoisted, and pooja is conducted by worshiping Lord Buddha. The Lama and gurus gather, and dances are performed in the Tamang community. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)
