The Gurung community marked Tamu Lhosar, their New Year, on Monday, December 30, bidding farewell to the “Year of the Garuda” and welcoming the “Year of the Serpent”.  

The Gurungs follow a 12-year cycle, each year represented by an animal: Garuda, Serpent, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Bird, Dog, Deer, Mouse, Cow, Tiger, and Cat.  

Tamu Lhosar is observed on the 15th day of the Nepali month of Poush, while the Tamang and Sherpa communities celebrate their respective Lhosar festivals — Sonam and Gyalpo Lhosar— in Magh and Falgun.  

In Kathmandu, community members dressed in traditional attire organized a rally from Basantapur to Tudikhel, culminating in a special program where they exchanged wishes for prosperity and well-being in the year ahead.  

The government declared a public holiday for the celebration of the festival.  

Here are some moments from the celebrations, captured by our photojournalist, Sunil Sharma.