Nyilo
Nyilo, also known as Nyinlog or the return of the sun, is Bhutan’s traditional new year for the Shar and Wang regions in the west. It happens in the 11th month of the Bhutanese calendar, which falls in early January. Nyilo is a public holiday, and government offices close. It marks the shortest day and the first day of winter, and from then on the days slowly get longer.
Celebrations mainly take place in the Wang region and can last from one day to a week. The holiday begins with Nyilo Eve, when people go from house to house singing Lolay, a set of traditional verses for good fortune. Families greet the visitors and share gifts. The next day, children gather to party with what they’ve collected, while farmers take a short break from busy work.
Nyilo is a time for good wishes and prayer. The festival is rooted in Bonism, an ancient belief system with animist and shamanic origins. It is seen as the most auspicious day of the year: people try to forgive past misdeeds and do only good deeds, avoiding negative acts.
Traditional activities include the Lolay singing and, in many villages, inter-village games like archery (Choda), as well as other games such as degor and khuru. However, the singing of Lolay is fading in some areas, and efforts are underway to keep the tradition alive through community programs and school activities.
A cherished part of Nyilo today is the public celebration in Thimphu, where schoolchildren recite Lolay to Their Majesties the King and the Gyaltsuen at Lingkana Palace. This ceremony helps keep the culture alive and connects the people with their royal family.
The Nyilo celebration has its roots in Wang, the area that is now Thimphu. Folklore says the sun returns on Nyilo after paying respect to Shinje, a deity from the Ten Directions.
Nyilo 2025 was celebrated on January 2, with elderly residents reciting Lolay in Thimphu’s streets and children performing at the Lingkana Palace, continuing the tradition for generations to come.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 20:31 (CET).