Tamu Lhosar 2082 Welcoming the Cat with Nepal's Gurung Community

On the 15th day of Poush in the Nepali year 2082 (December 22, 2025), a wave of celebration will sweep across Nepal and Gurung diaspora communities worldwide. This is Tamu Lhosar, the New Year festival for the Tamu, or Gurung, people. In 2082, the community bids farewell to the year of the mouse and joyfully welcomes the year of the cat, known in the Gurung language as "Hi Lho". More than just a calendar change, this day is a vibrant testament to a rich culture, deep spiritual roots, and the enduring spirit of a community known for its bravery and loyalty.

The Significance of "Lho" and "Sar": A Cyclical View of Time

To understand Tamu Lhosar is to understand the Gurung concept of time. The word itself is beautifully descriptive: "Lho" means "new" and "Sar" signifies "change. This change refers to the shifting of the 12-year animal cycle, or Lohokor, that structures the Gurung calendar. Each year is represented by a different animal: the eagle, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog, deer, mouse, cow, tiger, and cat.

*Table: The Gurung Lohokor (12-Year Animal Cycle)*

Year Name	Representative Animal
Hi Lho	Cat
Hau Lho	Deer-3
Sya Lho	Bird-3
Khe Lho	Dog-3
Sonam Lho	Sheep-3
Mi Lho	Monkey-3
Ta Lho	Horse-2
Saa Lho	Snake-2
Sik Lho	Eagle-3
Lang Lho	Cow-3
Toh Lho	Tiger-3
Fya Lho	Mouse-1

The celebration is thus a meaningful transition—a respectful farewell to the influences of the passing Lho and an auspicious welcome to the new one, filled with prayers for prosperity, good health, and harmony with nature-1.

A Day of Rituals and Radiant Traditions

As dawn breaks on Tamu Lhosar, a sense of sacred preparation fills the air. In homes and public spaces, colorful prayer flags are hoisted, their mantras carried by the winter breeze to spread peace and compassion-3. Major Buddhist stupas like Swayambhunath and Boudhanath become focal points of devotion, adorned with these flags as the community seeks blessings-3.

One of the day's most stunning spectacles is the traditional attire. Gurung men dress in the distinctive bhāngra (a white cloth jacket) and kachhād (a white wrap-around skirt)-3. Women shine in vibrant ghalek (a patterned wrap) and gunyo-cholo (a blouse), often made of rich velvet and complemented by striking gold jewellery and necklaces of semi-precious stones-3. This display of traditional dress is a powerful statement of cultural pride and identity.

The festivities truly come alive with music and dance. Communities gather to perform ancient dances like Ghatu and Chudka, their movements telling stories of history and daily life. Songs such as "Thado Bhaka" echo through the gatherings, while the communal sharing of homemade Raksi (a traditional distilled beverage) fosters warmth and camaraderie. The day is also marked by grand cultural exhibitions and competitions. In Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, the Tamu Hall Chonjadhi (Gurung National Council) organizes a major event at Tundikhel, featuring dances, cultural displays, and idol competitions that culminate on this day.

A Celebration Spanning Continents: The Global Gurung Family

The spirit of Tamu Lhosar transcends geography. From the hills of Nepal to urban centers across the globe, the Gurung community maintains its bonds through this shared celebration. An example is the Paiyung Khola Tamu Samaj UK, which successfully celebrated Tamu Lhosar 2082 in Reading, United Kingdom. Their event, attended by 150-160 community members and families, shows how traditions are lovingly preserved far from the homeland, creating a "vibrant and festive atmosphere" that connects generations. This global celebration highlights the Gurung people's remarkable journey and their role as cultural ambassadors.

The Gurung Legacy: Warriors and Stewards of Culture

The Tamu Lhosar celebration is inseparable from the renowned character of the Gurung people. Historically residents of Nepal's high hills and mountains, the Gurungs have a global reputation for their "high morale, courage, tenacity, bravery, and loyalty". They have served with legendary distinction as Gurkha soldiers in the British and Indian armies, earning respect in conflicts from the World Wars to modern missions. This legacy of courage is a profound source of community pride, often reflected in the stories and spirit shared during Lhosar.

A Festival of Unity and Auspicious Beginnings

While Tamu Lhosar is distinctly a Gurung festival, its joy is often shared with neighboring communities like the Magar, and its underlying themes of renewal and gratitude resonate universally. At its heart, the festival is a collective prayer—for the well-being of family and friends, for the kindness of Mother Nature to deliver pleasant weather, and for the prosperity of the mountain communities.

As the Gurung community worldwide exchanges the greeting "तो ल्होसार्बे आशिमलाँ" (To Lhosarbe Ashimlaan) and wishes each other a Happy Tamu Lhosar, they are doing more than marking a new year. They are reaffirming their identity, honoring their ancestors, and setting collective intentions for a hopeful future. The year 2082, the Year of the Cat, thus begins not just on a calendar, but in the hearts of a people carrying their timeless traditions forward with faith and festivity.