Every year, on Poush 15 (December 30 or 31), the Gurung people of Nepal celebrate their traditional New Year, known as Lhosar (also called Lhochaar). The word "Lhosar" (Nxf];f/÷Nxf]%f/) is derived from two terms: "Lho," meaning "year," and "Sar" or “Chaar,” meaning "new." Together, "Lhosar" signifies the arrival of a new year, a time for leaving behind the past and welcoming new beginnings. For the Gurung people, this day falls on the 15th of the Nepali month "Poush" and marks an important time for cultural celebration, renewal and unity. 

 

The Cultural Significance of Gurung Lhosar

Gurung Lhosar is not merely a New Year’s celebration; it is a reaffirmation of Gurung identity and heritage. The Gurung community uses a unique zodiac system, known as the Lho system, which follows a twelve-year cycle with each year represented by an animal. Each animal (such as the Rat, Cow, Tiger, and others) is believed to embody specific qualities, influencing the personalities and destinies of those born under its sign. Gurung Lhosar celebrates the transition from one Lho, or animal year, to the next, symbolizing growth, transformation, and the continuous cycle of life.

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CLICK HERE to read more on The Gurung Lho System.

CLICK HERE to read about The Gurung History & Evolution.

 

The event is not just a personal observance but a communal one, fostering bonds within the Gurung community and reinforcing ties to their ancestors and cultural roots. For families and friends, Lhosar provides an opportunity to gather, honor their traditions, and share blessings for the year ahead. It’s a time when individuals reflect on their lives, renew their goals, and pay homage to the teachings and values passed down through generations.

 

How Gurung Lhosar is Celebrated

On Gurung Lhosar, families, friends, and entire communities come together in celebration. Traditional attire is often worn, especially the Gurung bhangra, kachhad, bhoto, etc. for men and gunyu cholo, lungi, ghalek, pachhouri, kramu, etc. for women, highlighting the pride Gurungs have in their heritage. Homes and community spaces are decorated with vibrant colors, symbolizing joy and prosperity, and everyone participates in traditional Gurung music, dances, and rituals that have been passed down for centuries.

 

A significant part of Lhosar festivities includes feasting on traditional foods, such as sel roti (a type of rice flour doughnut) and other delicacies that are unique to the Gurung people. Families prepare and share meals as an expression of love, unity, and gratitude, while elders pass down stories of Gurung history and folklore, enriching the younger generations with a sense of cultural pride and identity.

 

Traditional dances and music fill the air, with community members performing their age-old songs and dances, symbolizing the unity and resilience of the Gurung people. Among these is the Ghatu dance, which holds particular cultural significance and is often performed with vibrant attire and movements representing various elements of nature and Gurung mythology.

 

Gurung Lhosar in the Diaspora

For Gurungs living abroad, such as those in New York under organizations like Tamu Pariwar New York, Inc., Lhosar serves as a meaningful link to their homeland and culture. Despite geographical distances, Gurung communities across the world gather in similar fashion, ensuring that the essence of Lhosar remains alive. Celebrations in the diaspora include gatherings with traditional music, dances, and ceremonies that connect them to Nepal, allowing them to honor their roots while sharing their heritage with younger generations and with friends from other cultures. Tamu Pariwar New York, Inc. organizes the Lhosar program each year, attended by hundreds of people from both the Gurung and non-Gurung Nepali diaspora in New York, USA.

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The Significance of Gurung Lhosar in Today’s World

In a rapidly changing world, the observance of Gurung Lhosar plays an essential role in preserving cultural identity and fostering unity within the Gurung community. It reminds the Gurung people of their unique traditions, wisdom, and values, serving as a bridge between the past and the future. Through Lhosar, the Gurung community continues to celebrate resilience, unity, and an unwavering connection to their heritage, sharing these values proudly with those around them.