Happy New Year 2082
In Nepal, a Nepali calender is used, known as Bikram Sambat (B.S.) for dates. The New Year is celebrated according to the Bikram Era, on the first of Baisakh, usually falls in mid-April, according to the Gregorian calendar. This is the Hindu calendar system used in Nepal and it is also used in some parts of India.
Key Features of Bikram Sambat & Nepali New Year:
1. Timing: The Nepali New Year begins on the first day of the month of Baisakh , which usually corresponds to April 13th or 14th in the Gregorian calendar. In the year 2025, 14 of April is the New Year (Baisakh 1, 2082).
Bikram Sambat V/S Gregorian calendar : The Bikram Sambat calendar is approximately 56 years and 8 months ahead of the Gregorian calendar. For example, if it’s 2025 in the Gregorian calendar & in Bikram Sambat calendar it was year 2081 till April 13 and it is year 2082 after April 14.
New Year meaning: The Nepali New Year is deeply rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and it symbolizes renewal, growth, and prosperity. It is also a time for families to come together, celebrate, and reflect on the past year while making meaningful resolutions for the next year. The festival also marks the beginning of the spring season called Basanta Ritu.
How do Nepali celebrate New Year?
The first day of Baisakh is a public holiday in Nepal. Most of the businesses and government offices are closed for celebration. On this day, people take this opportunity to relax, celebrate, and spend time with loved ones.
Family Gatherings: People often visit their families, or call each other to exchange greetings> They gather and share meals at home or restaurants. Some people also wear traditional clothing during the festive gatherings.
Foods: Depending on the cultural practice, special dishes are prepared for the celebration. Sel roti (a type of rice flour doughnut), achar (spicy pickles), and various sweets are prepared in some communities.
Religious Observances: Most of the people visit temples and monasteries to offer prayers and seek blessings for the coming year. Rituals like lighting oil lamps, offering flowers, and performing puja are common among Hindu and Buddhists.
Cultural Programs: In urban areas and some villages, cultural programs, music, and dance performances are also organized to celebrate New Year. People at tourist destinations organize program targeted towards the tourists. In other places traditional cultural events are organized. For example, in Kathmandu Newari dances and songs are often part of such events. In Pokhara, Gurung and Magar cultural events with folk songs are organized.
Astrological Predictions: Some people visit priests and astrologers to know what their future holds. The newspapers and media outlets often publish yearly predictions for the upcoming year based on 12 Zodiaic signs. These signs in Nepal are different from those of western world. The signs are based on the date of birth, time of birth and location of the birth. The astrologers determine the sign based on these facts.
Although the New Year is celebrated all over Nepal, there are some regional variations too. Different ethnic groups may have their own unique ways of celebrating it. For example: The Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley has its own distinct traditions, including the worship of deities like Bhairav and Kumari, the living goddess in the New Year. Tamang, Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, Gurung, Magar also have their own traditional methods of celebrating. In Terai areas Tharu and other communities have also different ways of celebrating. Usually agricultural rituals and offerings to nature are common in different communities.
New Year is a time for renewal and fresh starts . It is believed that the transition into the new year brings new opportunities and the chance to leave behind any negativity from the previous year. The festival is also associated with the arrival of spring, which symbolizes fertility, growth, and abundance.
The timing of Nepali New Year is similar to other South Asian and Southeast Asian New Year celebrations. It is similar to Songkran in Thailand, Thingyan in Myanmar, and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, India. All of these festivals also occur around mid-April and are tied to the solar calendar like that of Nepali calendar.
The Nepali New Year is a vibrant and culturally rich celebration that reflects the deep spiritual and agricultural roots of Nepal. It is a time for renewal, family bonding, and community gatherings, marked by traditional rituals, festive foods, and joyous celebrations. Whether through religious observances or cultural festivities, the Nepali New Year is an important occasion that brings people together to welcome the promise of a new beginning.
Happy New Year to you, your family.
Ex King of Nepal Gyanendra Shah’s New Year wish
