Sonam Lhosar is a festival celebrated as an occasion of start of a new year, by the Tamang community people in Nepal. ‘Lho’ means year and ‘Sar’ means new or fresh if translated, and the word ‘Sonam’ is referred to the Tamang people in Nepal, thus the festival ‘Sonam Lhosar’ is the New Year event, according to the calendar followed by Tamang people. This festival is also observed by minority Yolmo, Dura, the Thakalis of Mustang, the Dolpalis, and the Sinsas from Sankhuwasabha in the Himalayan region. According to the Bikram Sambat Nepali calendar, Sonam Lhosar falls on the month of Magh (January, according to the Gregorian calendar). The Sonam Lhosar falls on Magh Shukla Pakshya every year, according to the Lunar calendar.

The Sonam Lhosar festival is celebrated for two weeks in overall between December and January every year (of which only one day is the main). In this festival, the houses and vicinity are kept clean, holy clothes hoisted and pooja conducted by worshipping Lord Buddha. The Lama and gurus gather, and dances are performed in the Tamang community. Monasteries are attractively adorned with colorful decorative items. People take blessings from monks for their progress, prosperity and happiness. The events are followed by extensive feasts in houses. Daughters and sisters are invited to receive blessings along with exchanging of greetings among one another. In Kathmandu valley, the day is usually marked by organising several cultural programmes followed by several of variegated food stalls and play work for children. Similarly, a rally is taken out in the Tundikhel area where a three-day-long festival and Miss Tamang competition are also held. The special food like pigs, duck, chicken and sweet deserts are prepared for the family gathering. Musical programs are also performed with Tamang Selo and Damfu (A traditional musical drum). Tamang eople have fiestas and fun, and take ultimate enjoyment in this festival sharing and preserving their centuries long culture and tradition.

The following activities during Sonal Losar  for tourists to take part in if in Nepal

Nepalese musical performances by Tamang

Attend Nepalese musical performances. The Tamang are very famous for their music, and you can find both official concerts and street performances. Look for their famous traditional drum, called the “damfu.” It is small, round, and covered with goat’s skin on one side. You will notice 32 small bamboo sticks are used in its construction. Also listen for Tamang songs, known as “Tamang selo.” These songs are famous for being witty and humorous but also for expressing the “deep philosophical meaning of life.” They have become popular with all Nepalese, not only with the Tamang.

Major Soman Losar celebration in Tudikhel

Attend the major Soman Losar celebration in Tudikhel, a public grounds in Kathmandu where many Tamang gather annually. There are many events, including contests of skill, dramas, and feasts. You will see the Tamang in their traditional garb, jewellery, and hats.

Visit to National Museum

Tour the National Museum of Nepal, located in Kathmandu. It is the largest museum in the country and recounts the history, art, and cultures of Nepal through numerous exhibits. There are artifacts related to wars once fought in Nepal, to local plants and animals, and to the cultures of Nepal’s diverse peoples. Look for displays related to the Tamang, but you will see the whole swath of Nepalese culture.

Anyone visiting Nepal around the time of Sonam Losar will find many events celebrating this holiday to attend. In particular, it will be a good time to learn of the Tamang people, for whom Sonam Losar is of major importance. While in the country, however, one can also learn of the culture and history of Nepal in general.

Sonam Losar 2021, 2022 and 2023 in Nepal

Traditional Tamang Food for Sonam Losar

Sonam Losar is one of the important festivals of Tamang communities. Also known as New Year, Tamang celebrates the day by consuming various traditional Tamang cuisines. Tamang cuisines are not only limited to homes these days as there are several eateries that serve traditional Tamang delicacies. One such eatery is Tamang Kudap situated in Swayambhu which is crowded with customers who want to get the authentic taste of traditional Tamang dishes. Talking about the reason to serve Tamang cuisines owner Dabi Tamang said, “Sonam Losar is our biggest festival and I established this restaurant to preserve and promote authenticity of Tamang cuisines along with Tamang culture and tradition.” Here is a list of items that served at Tamang Kudap:

Aalum: Aalum is a special dish cooked during Sonam Losar. It is prepared using buckwheat flour that is kneaded and developed into the shape of animal of the year, then, it is boiled.

Baabar: The dish is prepared with thick slurry dough of rice flour. Slurry is then deep fried in a round flat shape with desirable spices. Baabar are generally enjoyed with aachar (pickle), curries and choop (traditional pickle powder). Tamang community prepares this dish in auspicious occasions like birth and wedding ceremony apart from the festival day.

Meat item: Variety of meat dishes is prepared according to one’s preference in festivities. Meanwhile, people enjoy chicken curry in Sonam Losar and they believe this dish provides energy to fight against freezing winter.

Furaula: Furaula is one of the popular item made not only in Sonam Losar but are cooked in other festivities and get-togethers. Thick slurry of buckwheat flour is deep-fried as small lumps.

Gundruk ko Achar or Jhol: Gundruk is probably the most popular and loved food in Nepal. It is very authentic to Nepal and enjoyed by all ethnic communities in Nepal from terai, hills to mountains. It is dried fermented leafy vegetables, made generally from mustard green leaves (rayo ko saag), radish leaves (mula ko saag), cauliflower leaves (cauli ko paat). In Nepal, when we have excess these leafy vegetables before winter, we usually put them in clay pots for a week or more to ferment, and later sun-dried, which can be store for a year or more. The fermentation process helps in developing very peculiar smell and tangy flavor. This provides minerals and vitamins when we have less fresh vegetables during winter and dry season.

Pickle: Pickle is taken as a side dish of the platter, prepared using sesame seed, red pepper and tomatoes.