KATHMANDU: The Sherpa community marked the New Year, Gyalpo Losar 2153, with various events across Nepal and around the world on Wednesday. The celebrations were filled with joy, as people exchanged greetings and shared messages of love, peace, and brotherhood.
Gyalpo Losar, meaning “New Year” (with “Lho” meaning year and “Chhar” meaning new), is a traditional festival through which the Sherpa community welcomes the new year. Observances include cleaning village paths and water sources, visiting monasteries, receiving blessings from lamas and religious leaders, and meeting with family and friends. Traditional foods, such as Guthuk, Khapse, and Desil, prepared with nine types of grains, are also enjoyed during the festival.
Lakpa Thile, president of the Sherpa Association Of Nepal (SAN), emphasized that Gyalpo Losar should be seen not only as a cultural celebration but also as an occasion to raise awareness about community rights. He described the festival as a time for goodwill, mutual respect, and cultural pride.
On the same day, the Sherpa Conservation Society Nepal hosted greetings and cultural programs in Budhanilkantha Municipality. Rinzin Sherpa, the society’s general secretary, said the event helped strengthen unity and joy among Sherpa communities living in scattered regions. The celebrations included traditional Syabru dance and the melodious tunes of Tungna (Damyang), showcasing collective festivity.
In the Himalayan region, Sherpas observe Gyalpo Losar according to the lunar calendar, beginning on the first day of the bright half of Falgun. The festival is believed to bring renewed hope, enthusiasm, and harmony within the community. Gyalpo Losar has increasingly become recognized not just as a Sherpa festival but also as an important celebration in Nepal’s multicultural identity.
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