Why is the New Year in Nepal Celebrated in April?

When the world celebrated the New Year on January 1, there was no celebration in Nepal on that day because Nepal does not celebrate the New Year on that day. Nepal has its own national calendar, which is called Bikram Sambat (Bikram Era). According to Bikram Sambat, the New Year in Nepal falls in April.

Like Every Year, as well as in 2025, preparations are underway to celebrate New Year 2082 on April 14 in Nepal. Why is the New Year of Nepal celebrated in April? How is it celebrated? What is Bikram Sambat? You can read more about many such questions in detail on this page.

Around the world, New Year is a moment of reflection, celebration, and hope. Many people spend the night of December 31 with joy and happiness. Many calendars are in use worldwide, but some are more widely used officially.

How many such calendars are there in the world? In which countries outside Nepal is which New Year celebrated? What are some interesting ways to celebrate New Year around the world? In this section, we will also study interesting topics related to New Year celebrations around the world.

Bikram Sambat (Bikram Era)

Why does Nepal’s New Year fall in April? Before understanding all the facts about Nepal’s New Year celebrations and the officially recognized calendar in Nepal, it is essential to know about Bikram Sambat (Bikram Era). Therefore, let’s first briefly explore the key details about the Bikram Sambat.

What is Bikram Sambat?

Bikram Sambat is very old and has its own calendar system. In Nepali, Hindi, and Sanskrit, it is also called and written as Vikram Samvat and abbreviated as ‘B.S.’ or ‘V.S.’ or ‘BS. ‘ In the past, it was also called Nepal Sambat. It is written ‘विक्रम संवत्’ in Devanagari.

The Bikram Sambat (BS) is a historical Hindu calendar system used primarily in Nepal and parts of India. It is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it considers both the solar year and lunar months. This calendar is the official calendar and is widely known as the national calendar of Nepal.

Bikram Sambat is used for civil purposes, government records, cultural events, and religious festivals in Nepal. It’s also used to date newspapers, official documents, and calendars.

The Bikram Sambat calendar is also widely used for cultural purposes in India and some other countries in the South Asian and East Asian regions, but not officially.

Who began the Bikram Sambat?

Bikram Sambat is a historical calendar that dates back to the reign of a king known as Vikramaditya. This calendar is considered the foundation for the beginning of the Vikramaditya era. However, there are differing opinions about who Vikramaditya was and where he ruled.

Some people believe Vikramaditya to be the emperor of Ujjain in India. In contrast, others think that Chandragupta II Vikramaditya initiated this calendar. Additionally, some argue that since Vikramaditya is a title used for ancient kings, it may not refer specifically to the name of the king who established this calendar but rather to any mighty king of that era.

Renowned archaeologist and religious scholar Saint Yogi Narahari Nath states that, according to Devmala Bansabali, the victorious king Vikramaditya had his throne where the Ram Temple (Temple of Lord Ram in Battisputli, Kathmandu) now stands. The Pashupati Purana claims that the Vikram Yuga began during the reign of the Lichchhavis, the first king of the Suryavanshi dynasty who ruled Nepal after defeating the Kirats, known as Dharmapala, Bhumi Burma, or Vikramaditya.

Difference Between AD (Gregorian Calendar) and Bikram Sambat (BS)

The difference between the Gregorian calendar (AD/CE) and Bikram Sambat (BS) is approximately 56.7 years. Bikram Sambat was started 57 years before AD/CE. So, in the Gregorian calendar, the first year of the Bikram Samvat era is Bikram Samvat 1 = 57 BCE.

The Bikram Sambat is past 2081 years and will start the new year 2082 on 14 April 2025.

To obtain the BS date, you need to add 56 years, 8 months, and 16 days to the AD date. However, the main problem is that due to leap years, there may be a difference of +/—3 days.

In simpler terms, Bikram Sambat (BS) = AD + 56 years and around 8.5 months.

For example, April 14, 2025 (AD) = Baisakh 1, 2082 (BS)

The maximum number of days in a month in the Gregorian calendar is 31, but in the Bikram Sambat Nepali Calendar, it can have up to 32 days.

Starting of the year: The Bikram Sambat year begins in mid-April, whereas the Gregorian year starts in January. This difference can vary slightly depending on the exact date and how the leap years align.

So, the new year of Bikram Sambat 2082 starts on April 14, 2025 (AD), ending the year 2081.

Calendar Structure

The Bikram Sambat (BS) calendar has:

• 12 months, similar to the Gregorian calendar. The first month starts from Baisak (mid-April)
• The months are: Baisakh, Jestha, Ashadh, Shrawan, Bhadra, Ashwin, Kartik, Mangsir, Poush, Magh, Falgun, and Chaitra.
• Bikram Sambat (BS) month has 29 to 32 days, depending on the lunar cycles.
• The new year begins on Baisakh 1, typically on April 13 or 14.

Usage in Nepal

The Bikram Sambat is used in Nepal for the following Purposes:

• Official Calendar: Used by the Government of Nepal for all administrative and legal purposes.
• Cultural Importance: Most festivals, agricultural events, and religious ceremonies in Nepal follow the BS calendar.
• Education and Media: Schools, colleges, news media, and even bank documents use BS dates.
• Public Holidays: Determined according to this calendar.

Is Bikram Samvat Used Outside Nepal?

• India:
  • In India, especially in northern and western regions like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, Vikram Samvat is still used for religious and regional festivals, but it is not the official calendar.
  • Indian Hindus may use it to mark traditional festivals, but the Gregorian calendar is used for civil purposes.
• Other Countries:
  • No other country besides Nepal uses Bikram Samvat as its national or official calendar.
  • However, some countries in the South Asian and East Asian regions, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Bhutan, use it partially for cultural and other purposes but not officially.
  • Additionally, Nepali diaspora communities abroad may still use the BS calendar for religious and cultural practices.

New Year In Nepal

The previously mentioned facts regarding Bikram Sambat clarify why the New Year in Nepal occurs in April. In summary, the official calendar of Nepal is the Bikram Calendar. According to the usage of this calendar in Nepal, the first day of the first month of Bikram Sambat (Baisakh) falls on the 13th or 14th of April, marking it as Nepal’s New Year festival.

This year, Monday, April 14th, 2025, is the New Year 2082 in Nepal. Now, let’s explore additional aspects of the New Year in Nepal and the world:

How is the New Year in Nepal celebrated?

In Nepal, the New Year – the 1st of the Baisakh month (April 13 or 14) – is a widely celebrated festival according to the Bikram Sambat calendar. This day is a public holiday in Nepal, so even people who are engaged in official work get time to enjoy it.

New Year as a Festival of Entertainment

Before New Year’s Day, people clean their homes and courtyards, shop for various items for feasting and attire, and make elaborate preparations to celebrate the occasion.

Although the first day of the New Year is considered New Year’s festival day, people start the New Year’s festivities from the evening of New Year’s Eve, i.e., the 31st of Chaitra (April 12 or 13). This is because the evening of the previous day is the night to welcome the New Year in Nepal.

From the evening of the previous day, people get lost in joy and celebration throughout the night. This evening, people gather with their families or friends and enjoy a feast, dance, sing, and exchange New Year’s greetings. Some people welcome the New Year by bursting various colorful lights and firecrackers.

New Year festival of exchanging greetings

In the New Year, people have a tradition of wishing their relatives, friends, well-wishers, and lovers a happy New Year. The tradition of sending written greetings and postcards in the past has changed due to modern media. The current generation uses various online media and phone calls to exchange greetings in the New Year in Nepal.

New Year as a Cultural Festival

New Year in Nepal is not only associated with entertainment; it is also seen as a religious and cultural festival. Some people visit various temples on this day, and some organize multiple rituals in their homes or villages. They pray to God for peace, happiness, and health throughout the year.

The 1st of the month of Baisakh can be said to be an important festival for Nepal, which has been passed down from tradition. People also celebrate the New Year in the belief that they will get happiness and prosperity throughout the coming year.

Apart from this, the ways of celebrating the New Year in Nepal can be summarized in the following points:

Common Ways People Celebrate:

• Public Gatherings and Parades: Cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Butwal host cultural shows, concerts, and street festivals. Youth gather in parks and public spaces.
• Temple Visits: Many people start the year by visiting temples to pray for good health, success, and peace.
• Family Time: It’s a day for families to come together, share meals, and exchange good wishes for the New Year in Nepal.
• Day Out: To celebrate New Year’s Day, Nepalis customarily visit various sightseeing spots or parks with their families or friends.
• Cleansing and Renewal: Homes are cleaned in advance, and people often buy new clothes or start new ventures around this time.
• Local Customs: In some regions, like Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, traditional New Year festivals like Biska Jatra are celebrated with chariot processions, rituals, and even tug-of-war competitions.

Some Fascinating New Year Customs from Around the Globe

New Year celebrations vary widely across the globe, each with its own charm and symbolism. Here are some standout customs from around the world:

• Spain – At midnight, people eat 12 grapes, one for each chime of the clock, to ensure good luck for all 12 months.

• Japan – New Year’s is a solemn and spiritual time. People eat toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles) on New Year’s Eve and visit shrines for hatsumode on New Year’s Day to pray for blessings.

• Thailand – The Songkran Water Festival marks the Thai New Year in mid-April. People engage in massive water fights, symbolizing the washing away of misfortunes.

• Scotland – Hogmanay is Scotland’s grand New Year festival. A tradition called first-footing involves being the first to enter a friend’s house after midnight to bring luck (especially if you’re tall and dark-haired).

• Colombia – Some Colombians run around the block with an empty suitcase at midnight to attract a year full of travel and adventure.

• Nepal – Besides mainstream gatherings, Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur is a striking display of heritage, where people pull large wooden chariots through the streets in a blend of devotion and celebration.

How Many Calendars Are in Use Around the World?

While the Gregorian calendar is the most widely used civil calendar across the globe, many other calendars still hold official or cultural significance. Here are a few key examples:

Major Calendars Used in the World

• Gregorian Calendar – Used internationally for civil purposes.
• Bikram Samvat – Nepal’s national calendar, which is culturally used in South Asia.
• Islamic (Hijri) Calendar – Used in Muslim-majority countries and for Islamic rituals.
• Hebrew Calendar – Used for Jewish religious observances.
• Chinese Lunar Calendar – Guides Chinese festivals and zodiac traditions.
• Ethiopian Calendar – Used officially in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
• Persian (Solar Hijri) Calendar – Used in Iran and Afghanistan.
• Tamil and Bengali Calendars – Regionally significant in South Asia.

Each calendar reflects local traditions, religions, and astronomical observations, showcasing the world’s cultural diversity.

No matter where or when it’s celebrated, the New Year brings a common thread—hope for a better tomorrow. Whether it’s water fights in Thailand or pulling chariots in Bhaktapur (Nepal)., each tradition reflects a culture’s values and dreams for the year ahead.

Happy New Year 2082 from Nepal.