As Haa wears a festive mood, so does its people. They will celebrate this Lomba with His Majesty The King while the nation marks its 110th National Day tomorrow.
As Kado prepares hoentay, the Lomba specialty, he knows tomorrow is going to be an extraordinary day. In his last 70 years, he has never looked forward to the festival as he does this time.
Like every household in Haa, Kado has already prepared his share of the dumpling to be taken to the National Day celebrations at Lhakhang Karpo. There, heand his fellow haaps will feast with His Majesty the King.
“We feel fortunate as we will get to celebrate this Lomba with His Majesty The King. We are all excited,” said Kado.
Other people’s mood is nothing different from Kado.
“We are happy we will get to meet both His Majesty The King and His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Lomba is a special and fun-filled occasion. I have been looking forward to the festival this year,” said a woman named Pem Zam.
Lomba is the New Year festival celebrated in Haa on the 29th day of the 10th Bhutanese month. It is the only New Year festival celebrated much earlier than people in other parts of the country. The celebrations last for a week.
Along with Lomba, people of Haa also have another reason to celebrate. The bastion of Ap Chundu, Lhakhang Karpo, is being elevated after eight long years.
