Nava Varsha / New Year

The Nepalese festivals follow round the traditional, religious’ Lunar Calendar in the same sequence.  An exception is New Year Day, which always fails in the middle of April, observed throughout Nepal as the first day of the official Nepalese solar Calendar, i.e., the first day of Baisakh.   The lunar calendar is also referred to as the Vikram Samwat which is believed to have been founded by the emperor Vikramaditya following his victory over the Sakas in 56 BCE and is thoroughly based on ancient Hindu or Vedic tradition.

The Vikram Samvat calendar is 57.7 years ahead (in count) of the solar Gregorian calendar. This day is an official holiday for Nepal. The most important New year festival in the Valley is held at Bhaktapur City, located fourteen kilometers on east of Kathmandu.  This festival is known as Bisket Jatra meaning the festival after the death of serpent.  The main attraction of the festival is the erection of the 'lingo', a ceremonial pole, a thick, shorn tree-trunk some eighty feet in length.  This is an exciting operation, for the pole, supported by bamboos and pulled by heavy ropes, must be made to rest in the centre hole of a large pile of cemented rocks.  A large crowd from other town of the Valley assembles to watch this festival.  During the week Bhairav, Bhadrakaii and other goddesses are dragged in chariots in the town.  This is the biggest festival of Bhaktapur. The new year of Birkram Sambat is one of the many festivals of Nepal marked by parties, family gathering, the exchange of good wishes and participation in rituals to ensure good fortune in the coming year.

Glance of Nepal