A Tamang Cultural Festival is scheduled to be held in Tundikhel, Kathmandu, on Sunday and Monday, on the occasion of the Sonam Lhochhar festival of the Tamang community.

On the occasion of Manjushree Sambat 2862 'Ta Lho' (Horse Class), a Tamang Cultural Festival is being held with the participation of various organizations including Nepal Tamang Ghedung. The National Sonam Lhochhar-2862 Ta Lhochhar Main Celebration Committee organized a press conference at the Nepal Tamang Ghedung office in Chuchepati, Boudha on Saturday and announced that Lhochhar will be celebrated as a festival on Magh 4 and 5.

The festival will feature special cultural tableau performances by Tamang cultural organizations Tamba, Bonbo and Lama, traditional songs and dances, and performances by nationally and internationally famous and renowned guest artists, said Mohan Gole Tamang, coordinator of the Lhochhar Main Celebration Committee. According to him, Prime Minister Sushila Karki will also participate in the program on Monday, Magh 5.

Similarly, the festival will sell and exhibit special dishes of the Tamang community, Tamang costumes, books related to the Tamang caste and other traditional items reflecting the identity of the Tamang caste at various stalls.

The organizers expect that millions of visitors, including Tamang and non-Tamang, will observe the festival directly and through various means and enjoy a lot of entertainment. A 101-member main event committee has been formed for the festival, with the Nepal Tamang Ghedung coordinator and Nepal National Tamang Ghedung co-coordinator and all other Tamang organizations as members. Coordinator Gole also informed that the cultural program committee, Tamba, Lama, Bonbo preparation committee, volunteer preparation committee, publicity committee, reception, hospitality committee, and stage management committees have been formed under the main event committee.

'Lho' means year, year, age and chhar means new, i.e. Lhochhar means new year . There are twelve Lho . Lho is named after twelve different animals . One Lho changes every year out of the twelve Lhos . The day when this Lho changes is called Lho Poba, Lho Doba or Lhochhar in the Tamang language .

Lhochhar (New Year) as observed by the Tamangs is the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar, i.e. every year it begins with the Magh Shukla Pratipada . Although it is not known when this tradition started, it is proven from the history of Chinese astrology that it developed with Chinese civilization 4700 years ago . 

Lhochhar festival is not only celebrated in Nepal but also in countries like China, Mongolia, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore etc. This Lhochhar (New Year) based on the lunar month is celebrated . Nepal's Hyolmo, Manange, Humli Tamang, Dolpo, Topkegola, Singsa, Tangbe, Thakali, Jirel, Khammagar, Dura, Bhote, Nesyangba and some Sherpas etc. celebrate . Similarly, Tamang communities scattered around the world also celebrate this festival on this day with great pomp . 

Sonam Lhochhar Festival From the first day of Magh Shukla Pratipada to the full moon, Tamangs celebrate Lhochhar by performing pujas in various monasteries and homes, burying the dead in public places including homes, distributing small offerings, exchanging greetings, receiving blessings from relatives, meeting daughters, friends, and family, and holding group feasts and cultural programs.