Losar is the Tibetan New Year, celebrated by Sherpa, Tibetan and other Himalayan Buddhist communities. Homes are cleaned, new prayer flags are hung and monasteries hold special ceremonies.
In Kathmandu the best place to see it is Boudhanath, where families in their finest clothes circle the stupa and throw tsampa (roasted barley flour) into the air for luck.
Nepal also celebrates other new years in the same spirit: Tamu Lhosar of the Gurung people and Sonam Lhosar of the Tamang community, both in the winter months.
