A file picture of Tamangs in their traditional attire

Darjeeling, Jan. 18: Subash Ghisingh’s tirade against the Tamangs and their customs have done little to mar the festive spirit.

Despite the GNLF chief accusing the Tamangs of adopting “an alien culture”, community members from both the Darjeeling hills and the plains are ready to celebrate Sonam Lochar (new year) in style from January 20.

The Tamangs have denounced Hindu customs and have been celebrating Sonam Lochar, instead of festivals like Dusshera and Diwali, for the past five to six years. This practice has not gone down well with Ghisingh, who had criticised the cultural and religious beliefs of the Tamang community and had even taken exception to the attire adopted by them. However, this does not seem to have dented the spirit of the Tamangs, who are gearing up to celebrate Lochar on a grand scale this year.

“Every block in the district will organise community celebrations which will go on for almost a fortnight,” said M.S. Bomzom, the general secretary of the All India Tamang Buddhist Association. The festival will officially conclude on January 24 and will be followed by a three-day convention of the association at Dudhia busty.

This time, the Tamang community will bid adieu to the Year of the Dog and welcome the year 2843, which will be the Year of the Pig.