Nepali Almanac for 2083 BS Set to Hit Markets Starting February 16

Kathmandu. The almanac (Panchanga) for the year 2083 Bikram Sambat (BS) is scheduled to hit the market starting from Falgun 2 (February 16). The preparation for publishing the 2083 BS almanac for Nepal is in its final stages following discussions between the officials and members of the Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Bikas Samiti, former officials, and members.

Executive Director of the committee, Acharya Laxman Panthi, informed that the almanac was prepared after intensive discussions involving current and former officials, experts in Dharmashastra, culture, Siddhanta, and Phalit Jyotish (astrology), professors from the Dharmashastra and Astrology departments of Nepal Sanskrit University's Valmiki Vidyapeeth, experts from Newari and various communities, representatives from provincial governments and local levels, and representatives from various astrological, priestly, religious, and cultural organizations.

Following the discussions, the committee decided to approve the publication of 18 almanacs that were published in 2082 BS. The committee announced that the following 18 old almanacs have been approved for publication: Toyanath by Suryanath Pant, Baburam by Baburam Sharma Sapkota, Naranaath by Murariraj Pandey, Himal by Bishwanath Tripathi, Athola by Dilliraj Joshi, Surya by Subodh Dhungel, Akashdarshan by Lokraj Poudel, Baglamukhi by Shashidhar Joshi, Shubh by Damodar Athola Joshi, Baba Gorakhnath by Shrikesh Kaushik, Kirti by Kirtikiran Joshi, Siddhi by Siddhilaxmi Byanjankar, Khaptad Taranath by Chetraj Upadhyaya, Gaurishankar by Narayanprasad Nepal, Bhrugu Angira by Keshavraj Joshi, Kashyap by Khagendraprasad Adhikari, Muktinath by Gyanprasad Bhandari, and Aryavarta Panchanga by Narayanprasad Niraula.

While 14 Panchangas were being published until 2081 BS, four new almanacs received publication approval in 2082 BS. He stated that starting this year, the four newly approved almanacs were given approval with a two-year trial period. Another new almanac has sought approval for publication starting from 2083 BS.

It has been reported that approval for the new almanac is yet to be granted. In previous years, the almanac for the next year used to hit the market by the third week of Magh. This year, the delay in approving the almanac publication by about 10 days was due to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation delaying the appointment of the committee's Executive Director.

The committee under the ministry is mandated by the Formation Order 2077 to approve the publication of Panchangas (almanacs) and wall calendars, decide on festivals and Tithis (lunar dates), and regulate the fields of religion and culture.

The government approved the committee's formation order on Poush 20, 2077, granting it these responsibilities. However, the demand from activists in this sector to draft a separate bill for regulating the fields of religion and culture has not yet been fulfilled.