In the Himalayan folds of Nepal, time does not merely turn; it is honoured. Sonam Lhosar marks the New Year of the Tamang and Hyolmo communities, rooted in the ancient Lunar calendar and shaped by centuries of Tibetan-Buddhist philosophy.
The word Lho means year, Sar means new, yet Sonam Lhosar is not just about beginnings. It is about alignment: with nature, with spiritual cycles, and with ancestral memory.
Historically, the festival originates from the Tibetan zodiac system, where each year is governed by one of twelve animals, believed to influence temperament, fortune, and cosmic rhythm. In 2026, Sonam Lhosar welcomes the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, freedom, and forward movement, auspicious for travel, courage, and new ventures.
Celebrations begin with purification rituals at monasteries, where prayers are offered for peace and collective well-being. Homes are cleaned, prayer flags renewed, and family altars adorned with offerings. Traditional dishes like khapse (deep-fried pastries), meat stews, and butter tea anchor the celebrations in warmth and sustenance.
Music and dance bring the festival alive. The Tamang Selo, performed to the beat of the damphu drum, tells stories of migration, resilience, and harmony with the mountains. Attire is ceremonial, with richly woven garments layered with silver jewellery, each piece echoing lineage and pride.
Sonam Lhosar reminds us that a new year is not a date; it is a promise shaped by intention.
