Tamu Lhosar 2024: Year of the serpent
तो ल्होसार्बे आशिमलाँ
Happy Tamu Lhosar.
Tamu refers to the Gurung community, while Lhosar refers to the new year. Today is the new year for the Gurung community.
Lhosar has been able to reflect the farmer's lifestyle and proximity to weather and nature for centuries. Dividing Lhosar into different parts or names, all Lhosars have the same basic purpose, to welcome the new year. And today, Tamu community is welcoming their new year with utmost excitement and celebrations across the world.
This festival is celebrated every Poush 15th. This time the vulture year is saying goodbye and welcoming the new year of the serpent. Under the auspices of Tamu Hall Chonjadhi (Gurung National Council), a large cultural exhibition is held in Tundikhel with the participation of dozens of organizations.
This is the year of vulture- also called "Sapri Lho" in Gurung language.
Story of Budhha and Tamu Lhosar
According to various books and historical documents, this festival is celebrated especially by the Buddhist community with great enthusiasm and taste even before Budhha came in this earth. Various books and researches of Tibetan origin mention that even before the arrival of Buddha, people of this community and mainly people of Tibet or Vot used to worship God by burning fragrant incense sticks in mid-winter. According to books and researches written about the Tamu community, the Tamu ancestors came to Nepal from Tibet in the 6th century and are known mainly as a community living in the high mountains and high hills.
On the world map, the Tamu community, with their high morale, courage, tenacity, bravery, and loyalty, have always held the head of Nepal high as a hardworking soldier and Gorkhali. Whether it is the world war or the war against terror, whether it be American soldiers or British, Indian, or various other countries, the youth of Tamu community and the world of their identity has been giving glorious stories in different eras.
Monasteries are exclusively decorated, colorful flags are flowing with the breeze, welcome to the Lhosar or the new year of Tamu community. Not just the Tamu community but also the Magar and Gurung community of Nepal and Tibet celebrates this new year.
Blessings are given for progress, prosperity, and happiness, for Mother Nature and the delivery of pleasant weather by her, for mountains and their people. Greetings and gifts are exchanged, dance, party, and songs are held. Dances and Tamu idol competitions are virtually being carried on, the finale of these competitions is being organized this day.
May the year of the Cat be auspicious to all of us. Happy wishes.
Sombare Aaunshi , Monday no moon night
Sombare Aaunshi has a specific significance in Nepal, this dates back to January 2, 1990, when an earthquake of 8.4 Richter scale struck Nepal. This day was Monday no moon day or Monday AAunshi. And that Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Rahu were in the same zodiac sign.
Even today is Monday and its Aaunshi. The day that falls on a no moon on Monday is called a Monday Aaunshi. According to our calendar, one Monday falls every seven days and one no moon day falls every month. Even today is Monday. After the earthquake, Aunshi was seen on Monday with terror and fear, but not so, the greatness and importance of Aunshi on Monday has been inseparable and unbroken for centuries.
But the coincidence of Mondays and no moon day is only occasional that it happens just once a twice a year. This festival is considered auspicious for bathing or giving alms. Devotees from far and wide visit various pilgrimage stalls only for bathing.
According to Hindus, it takes a great coincidence or fortune to get the date of today's "Monday Aunshi". It is said that even the characters of the Mahabharata in their lifetime could not get the date of Aunshi on this day i.e. Monday.
In mythological times, the number of no moon day on Monday was very low, but with the onset of the Kali Yuga, the number of Monday Aaunshi began to increase on earth. It is said that such Aaunshi occurs to give devotees more opportunities for salvation and humanitarian activities. So what is your plan for this Monday Aaunshi?
According to Hindu scriptures, it is said that one can attain virtue by bathing and meditating in silence on this day. Monday is the day of the moon. The moon is the symbol of the mind and the sun is the symbol of the brain. Monday is also considered as Shivaji's day and today is dedicated to Lord Shivaji.
Utmost wishes
Peace and brotherhood
Kavi Siromani Lekhnath Jayanti 
Kavi Shiromani Lekhnath Paudyal was born in 1941 B.S. (1885 A.D.) on the day of Poush Shukla Ekadashi in Arghau Archale, Kaski. This day is celebrated as his birth anniversary. On this occasion, various literary programs, poetry recitations, and tribute ceremonies are held.
Lekhnath Paudyal is a prominent poet in Nepali literature, honored with the title "Kavi Shiromani". His works include "Ritu Vichar", "Buddhi Vinod", "Satyakali Samvad", "Satyasmriti", "Mero Ram", "Tyag ra Udayko Sandesh", "Geetanjali", "Tarun Tapasi", "Lakshmi Puja", and "Lalitya", among other poems and literary pieces.
On Ashar 29, 2008 B.S., he was honored with the title "Kavi Shiromani" by King Tribhuvan, along with a monthly pension of 200 rupees for life.
What is done today?
This day is celebrated to honor Lekhnath Paudyal's birth and his contribution to Nepali literature.
Lekhnath Paudyal is a great poet and literary figure in Nepali literature. He was awarded the title "Kavi Shiromani", and his poetry reflects a deep insight into Nepali society and culture. His collections, such as "Ritu Vichar", "Satyasmriti", and "Geetraj", are considered priceless treasures of Nepali literature. His works feature subtle depictions of religious, philosophical, and social ideas.
On Lekhnath Paudyal's birth anniversary, various literary programs, poetry recitations, and literary conferences are held to remember and honor his contributions.
As a parting gesture, I will share one of his immortal poems with you.
पर्वतको शिखर हजुरले हामीलाई उचाई देखाउँछ,
नदीको बग्दाइ हामीलाई सन्तुलन सिखाउँछ।
प्राकृतिक शक्तिहरूमा जीवनको गहिरो पाठ छ,
हामीलाई त्यसका हरेक पाटोको सम्मान गर्नुपर्छ।
Lekhnath Paudyal's poems convey messages of finding answers to the deep questions of life and continuous efforts for the upliftment of society. His works will remain an invaluable treasure of Nepali literature for eternity.
-Suyog Dhakal
Liked by:
