The Gurung community across the country celebrated the Tamu Lhosar festival on Friday. The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Nepali month of Poush which marks the New Year of the Gurung community.

Various programmes reflecting the Gurung culture and tradition were organised in different parts of the country to celebrate the day. 

President Bidya Devi Bhandari wished the Gurung community peace, prosperity and good health on the occasion. She also called for national unity and harmony among all communities while emphasising the need of preserving and promoting the myriad cultures and traditions the country is known for.

“It is our common responsibility to maintain national unity, harmony and tolerance by maintaining unity in diversity and preserving and promoting cultures. May this festival bring happiness and enthusiasm to the communities including Tamu, contribute to the conservation and promotion of art, culture and tradition of the country and help drive the country towards prosperity and development by maintaining unity and harmony,” the President said in a statement. 

Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun wished health, prosperity and happiness to the Gurung community living in the country and abroad.

Addressing the annual Tamu Lhosar festival in the Capital’s Tundhikhel, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal also wished the Gurung community peace, prosperity and good. He stressed the need of strengthening the national unity by recognising and enshrining the rights and identity of all castes and ethnicities in the constitution.

Prime Minister Dahal also pledged to double the fund the government has been providing for organising the annual Tamu Lhosar programme in Kathmandu.

The Gurung men and women who have made notable contributions for the upliftment of their community and those who have earned doctrates in different fields of studies were also honoured on the occasion.