Nepal Seattle Society is proud to promote Sherpa New Year "LOSAR" celebration which is being organized by "Northwest Sherpa Association" on Saturday, March 4, 2006. This occasion is observed as festival in Nepal by Sherpa as well as Tamang, Gurung and Tibetan communities.

We heartily request to our members and friends to join us and celebrate this year's Sherpa LOSAR 2006 - The Year of Fire Dog. Enjoy the exciting Sherpa traditions/culture! Please help us to promote and preserve our valuable culture of Nepal!

Details follow here:
Sherpa LOSAR begins on the new Moon of the first lunar month (in the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar.)

* Lo = year --- Sar = new --- (correct English transliteration is "LOSAR").

* This year, the first new Moon the Lunar New Year "LOSAR 2133" year 2006 occurs on Feb. 28 - March 4, 2006.

* 2133 is the Year of the Fire Dog.

* Each year a new Lawa is selected to host the Lo-Sar. A new Lawa will be nominated at each Sherpa LOSAR Celebration.

In February, Sherpas celebrate the rites pertaining to the New Year, gyalpo losar (Royal new Year), hyulsang (village rite) and kangsur (household rite). During the festival the act of cleaning the house for auspicious reasons, dining on the ritual food, doing virtuous deeds which multiply a thousand times and not collecting debts are important to Sherpas. While holding kangsur rites, especially for the village and clan, god and spirits are given offerings for the renewing of the protection of the village. Some Sherpas monthly follow the village rite known as chilhapso (for protection of the village), chhe chyu (it is believed that Guru Rinpoche returns to earth), lhabsang and chhyoruk rites are also observed during February. Though the ritual processes of kangsur, lhabsang and chi lhapso are different, the purpose of following these rites is just to protect the village and the family members.

Time:
Program starts at 5:30pm

Venue:
Kennedale Memorial Hall
2424 NE 27th St.
Renton, WA 98056

Entrance Fee:
*** $25 per person
*** Children under 7 FREE

Download Flyer:
Losar 2006 Flyer in .PDF format

Programs & Activities:

• Program will be hosted by: Mr. Lakpa Rita Sherpa, eight time Mt. Everest summiteers and world renowned international mountaineering guide.
  

• Delicious traditional Sherpa & Nepalese food catered by Chef Nima Nurbu Sherpa.

• Traditional Sherpa Dance and Cultural Programs.

• Live songs by guest artists:

  Samday Sherpa	Dendi Sherpa
  Vijaya Lama	Karma Gyalzen Sherpa
  Ang Gelu Sherpa	Uttam Rai

Organized By:
Northwest Sherpa Association (NWSA)
PO Box 926
Mercer Island, WA 98040

Organizing Committee:
1. Mr. Pasang Gyalzen Sherpa - 425-269-9155
2. Mr. Chhong Karma Sherpa - 206-786-0637
3. Mr. Tsering Doka Sherpa - 425-591-6500

Driving Direction to the Venue:
Coming from Seattle:
Take I-90 East to 405 South Renton. Take Exit 6 and turn left at the Stop sign. Keep going for less then a mile and the Kennedale Hall is on your left.

Coming from 405 South:
Take I-5 to 405 North take Exit 6 on 405, take right turn and drive less then a mile. Kennedale Hall is on your left.

Happy LOSAR  "Welcoming the year of the Fire Dog!"