What is Sonam Losar and Its Importance

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Sonam Losar is a special festival of Tamang Community from Nepal. The word Losar (Lhosar) means New Year or the beginning of a new era. This festival is celebrated on the first day of new moon or in other words the very next day after the no moon day of the month of Magh (Magh Sukla Pratipada). Sonam Losar this year is on the 25th of January 2020.

Buddhist celebrating Sonam Losar
Buddhist celebrating Sonam Losar in Tundikhe, Kathmandu

The Sonam Losar is according to the Tibetan calendar.  This calendar is made up of twelve lunar months and Lhosar begins on the first day of the first month. However, the celebration day is different in different Tibeto-Burman communities.

Tamang community the year with the association of symbols of 12 different animals starting from Rat and ends with Boar. Check out the following symbolic picture and table of the cyclic calendar.

 

Sonam Losar Sign

Table of New Year Date and Animal Associated with it

Animal Names     
TamangEnglishNepaliNew Year Start Dates  
जिवाRatमुसा19-Feb-967-Feb-0825-Jan-20
लङOxसाँढे7-Feb-9726-Jan-0912-Feb-21
तकTigerबाघ28-Jan-9814-Feb-101-Feb-22
हे (कुरी)Rabbitखरायो16-Feb-993-Feb-1122-Jan-23
डुकDragonगरुँढ5-Feb-0023-Jan-1210-Feb-24
डुलSnakeसर्प24-Jan-0110-Feb-1329-Jan-25
ताHorseघोडा12-Feb-0231-Jan-1417-Feb-26
लुकGoat/Sheepभेडा1-Feb-0319-Feb-157-Feb-27
टेMonkeyबाँदर22-Jan-048-Feb-1627-Jan-28
च्या, ज्याRoosterकुखुरा9-Feb-0528-Jan-1713-Feb-29
खिDogकुकुर29-Jan-0616-Feb-183-Feb-30
फकPig/Boarसुंगुर18-Feb-075-Feb-1923-Jan-31

 

Sonam Losar FAQs

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