Gyalpo Lhosar is a special festival celebrated by the Sherpa communities living in the Himalayas. Sherpa communities living in Nepal, India's Sikkim Darjeeling, Bhutan and other places around the world celebrate Gyalbo Lhosar as a new year.

In the context of Nepal, this Lhosar, which is mainly celebrated by Sherpas, is also actively celebrated by Tamang, Mustange and other communities. Or, this Lhosar is celebrated in a grand manner by communities who believe in Buddhism. Gyalbo Lhosar is also an important Lhosar among the major lhosar festivals celebrated in Nepal. This day is a public holiday in Nepal. This festival, which celebrates the arrival of the spring season, connects nature and mankind together. Gyalbo Lhosar is celebrated as a symbol of originality, art culture, tradition, customs, unity, etc.

According to the lunar calendar, Gyalbo Lhosar is celebrated on the day of Falgun Shukla Pratipada every year. Like other lhosars, this lhosar means "Lho" means year and "saar" means new. Sherpas also consider each year as a reflection of twelve different animals. And every year a new animal year changes. Similarly, after 12 years, the turn of the same animal repeats itself.

Gyalpo Lhosar - New Year of Sherpa Community

Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious country. Different communities celebrate different festivals at specific times. Tamang community celebrates Sonam as their new year and the Gurung community celebrates Tamu Lhosar as their new year. Similarly, Sherpa communities celebrate Gyalbo Lhosar as their new year. From this day, the new year begins in the calendar followed by the Sherpas. Animals like rats, cows, tigers, rabbits, pythons, snakes, horses, sheep, monkeys, birds, dogs and boars reflect the year in Sherpa communities.

The year changes in Sherpa on the day of Phalgun Shukla Pratipada every year. In other words, Sherpa and other communities celebrate Gyalbo Lhosar on this day.

How is Gyalpo Lhosar celebrated?

Gyalbo Lhosar starts celebrating from 1 month - 15 days before with various programs. However, on the main day, Gyalbo Lhosar is celebrated in a special way. This festival is especially celebrated with various activities such as worshipping the clan deity, worshipping the serpent deity at the water source, cleaning the house and yard, gathering family members in one place and eating sweet and savoury dishes.

During Gyalbo Lhosar, the Sherpa community prepares a special dish called Guthung and Khapse. And, it is customary for all the families in the house to sit and eat in one place. Guthung is made by combining nine types of dishes. In Guthung, small pieces of white cloth, wheat, paper, chillies, coal, ghee and salt are placed inside the dough.

The cleanliness program is organized on the occasion of Lhosar. Their houses and monasteries are decorated with special types of clothes. Sherpas decorate their houses according to tradition. Similarly, People use the Sambot script when writing to decorate the house during this lhosar. They draw Tasi Delek and Ashtamangal letters in their house. Communities worship in a very traditional and scriptural manner by adopting various attractive rituals.

Attractive art, attractive dishes and reflective idols are the specialities of Lhosar. Also, People prepare special dishes for the guests. From the day Lhosar begins until Fagu Purnima, Sherpas go to senior house to seek blessings. Similarly, Gyalbo Lhosar is celebrated by holding various programs in Kathmandu, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa and other places. They enjoy this day by dancing, singing, and eating according to their originals.

Traditions & Legend

Communities that believe in Buddhism decorate their house and yard with a special type of colorful cloth. Which is known by different names in different communities. Based on different beliefs, such attractive clothes are decorated at home.

According to legend, Lord Gautama Buddha reached "Devalok" to preach the religion after attaining enlightenment. At that time, there is a battle between gods and demons in heaven (Devloka). And the gods are defeated. At the same time, the Buddha gives the Victory Power Mantra or Gyalzen Chemu through Lhayi Ongbu Gachen 'Lord Indra'. By the effect of the same mantra, the gods defeat the Asuras. Due to the belief that this mantra will destroy bad power, the Sherpas have a custom of hanging a special cloth with this mantra in their house.

The nine different types of dishes put in Guthung made on the occasion of Gyalbo Lhosar give a special meaning. After the Guthung is cooked, one piece is placed in each member's portion. And, he looks at what has fallen into whose part. It is believed that white cloth means fulfilment of desires, wheat means an increase in wealth, paper means knowledge, chilli means truthful speech, coal means hypocrisy, ghee means slippery speech and salt means success in planning.

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