KATHMANDU: Sonam Lhosar is being observed with gusto across the country on Saturday. The festival is celebrated by Tamang community, the indigenous nationalities of Nepal. Tamang people mark Sonam Losar as their New Year.

Lhosar is a combination of two words (Lho+Sar) in Tamang language.  Lho stands for Year and Sar stands for New, which together means New Year.

The Tamang have a unique tradition of marking each year with distinct creatures, from a list of 12 which are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Bird, Dog and Boar.

This year the Tamang community is celebrating the year of rat which starts from January 25.

Bagmati province government has declared public holiday at all 13 districts of the state on January 24 on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar.

Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Oli have wished happiness, peace, prosperity and progress to all Nepalis at home and abroad on the occasion of the Sonam Lhosar.