Tamu Lhosar (तमु ल्होसार) is the new year of the Gurung people, who call themselves Tamu. It falls in mid-Poush, at the end of December, and is marked with traditional dress, music, dance and family visits. KhataIN's 2083 calendar lists Tamu Lhosar on Poush 14 (30 December 2026) as a public holiday.
See Tamu Lhosar and the other Lhosars in the Nepali calendar, or browse all 2083 holidays.
What is Tamu Lhosar?
Tamu is the Gurung community's own name for itself, and Lhosar means "new year". Tamu Lhosar marks the start of a new year in the Gurung calendar, which counts years in a twelve-year cycle. Each year of the cycle is called a lho and is associated with an animal, so every Tamu Lhosar welcomes a new lho.
The festival comes in the middle of winter. Many accounts link it with the turn of the season, when the days begin to grow longer again after the winter solstice. It is a time to say farewell to the old year, welcome the new one, and pray for health and good fortune.
When is Tamu Lhosar in 2083?
Tamu Lhosar falls on Poush 15. KhataIN's published 2083 holiday data lists:
| Event | BS date | AD date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamu Lhosar (तमु ल्होसार) | Poush 15, 2083 | Wednesday, 30 December 2026 | Public holiday |
| Dura Mhepu Nakuma (दुरा म्हेपु नाकुमा) | Poush 15, 2083 | Wednesday, 30 December 2026 | Holiday for the Dura community only |
Holiday decisions are confirmed by the government each year, so check the holiday list closer to the date.
How is Tamu Lhosar celebrated?
Celebrations take place across the Gurung heartland in Gandaki Province, including Kaski, Lamjung, Gorkha, Syangja, Tanahun and Manang, and in cities such as Pokhara and Kathmandu, as well as among Gurung communities abroad.
- Traditional dress: Many people wear Gurung attire. Men often wear the bhangra, a white wrap-around garment, and women wear traditional dress with distinctive gold and silver jewellery.
- Gatherings and processions: Community organisations hold cultural programmes. In Kathmandu, large gatherings at Tundikhel have been a regular feature, often with processions through the city.
- Music and dance: Cultural groups perform traditional Gurung songs and dances, and stalls sell food and crafts.
- Family and food: Families visit relatives, exchange greetings and share festive meals. Elders bless younger family members for the year ahead.
Religious observances, such as prayers at monasteries or household rituals, vary by family and village.
How is Tamu Lhosar different from other Lhosars?
Nepal has three widely known Lhosars, each celebrated by different communities on a different date:
| Lhosar | Main communities | 2083 date in KhataIN's data |
|---|---|---|
| Tamu Lhosar | Gurung | Poush 15 (30 December 2026) |
| Sonam Lhosar | Tamang and others | Magh 24 (7 February 2027) |
| Gyalpo Lhosar | Sherpa, Tibetan and other Himalayan communities | Falgun 25 (9 March 2027) |
All three are listed as public holidays in the 2083 data. Tamu Lhosar stays in mid-Poush, while Sonam and Gyalpo Lhosar follow lunar calendars and can move by several weeks from year to year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tamu Lhosar a public holiday in Nepal?
KhataIN's published 2083 holiday data lists Tamu Lhosar on Poush 15, 2083 (30 December 2026) as a public holiday. The government confirms holidays each year, so check the holiday list for the current status.
What does "Tamu" mean?
Tamu is the name the Gurung people use for themselves. Tamu Lhosar therefore means "the Gurung new year".
What is a lho?
A lho is one year of the twelve-year cycle used in the Gurung calendar. Each lho is associated with an animal, and Tamu Lhosar marks the change from one lho to the next.
Why is the Tamu Lhosar date different from Nepali New Year?
Nepali New Year starts Bikram Sambat on Baishakh 1. Tamu Lhosar starts the Gurung year, which follows its own calendar and is marked in mid-Poush. Use the date converter to find the English date for any BS day.