Newar community celebrates Nepal Sambat (photos)

Kathmandu, November 2 — In celebration of Nepal Sambat, the Newar community organized a rally in cultural attire this morning in Basantapur, Kathmandu.

Nepal Sambat 1145 is being celebrated today with various events across the country. The Newar community currently observes this Sambat as the New Year.

National luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa initiated Nepal Sambat by forgiving the debts of the poor in the year 937 B.S. (880 A.D.).

Dr. Triratna Manandhar, former Vice-Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University, stated that Nepal Sambat was recognized as the national calendar until the reign of Prithvi Narayan Shah.

“Starting from the reign of King Raghavdev during the Licchavi period, Nepal Sambat continued as an indigenous calendar until the reign of Prithvi Narayan Shah. Before the Licchavi era, the Bikram Sambat was in use, but since it is named after the country of Nepal, it is considered an indigenous calendar,” he said.

Since the establishment of democracy in 1950, there has been a campaign for the national recognition of Nepal Sambat.

It is particularly celebrated in areas with a significant Newar population, such as Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Bhadras, and Dolakha Bhimeshwar.

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