The Gurung community across the country celebrated Tamu Lhosar, one of its biggest festivals, with great enthusiasm on Tuesday.

Thousands of Gurung men, women and children gathered at Kathmandu’s Tundikhel, dressed in traditional attire, to welcome their New Year with cultural performances, music and communal festivities.

Tamu Lhosar marks the beginning of the Gurung calendar year. In the Gurung language, ‘lho’ means year and ‘sar’ means to change, symbolising the farewell to the old year and the welcome of a new one. This year, the community bid farewell to the Snake cycle and welcomed the Horse cycle.

The festival is also linked to the sun. As the night of Poush 15 is considered the longest of the year, the gradual lengthening of days thereafter is taken as a symbol of light triumphing over darkness.

On the occasion of Tamu Lhosar, the federal government declared a public holiday nationwide.

Here are some photos from the celebrations: