Nepal Sambat – Hindu New Year in Nepal – Nepal Samvat

Nepal Sambat or the Hindu New Year in Nepal is observed on the first day of the Kartik Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi. It is also known as the Newar New Year or Mewar New Year. In 2026, Nepal Sambat begins on November 10, 2026. As per this calendar system, the current year is 1147.

Note Nepal Sambat 1146 began on October 22, 2025.

The Nepal Sambat or calendar year was begun by Shankhadhar Sakhwa by relieving the people of Nepal off debt during the rule of Lichchhavi King Raghavdev.

Nepal Sambat Began in 879 AD.

Another Calendar that is observed in Nepal is the Bikram Sambat which began on 57 BC. A year as per this calendar begins on the Chaitra Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi (March – April). 

Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat – वैशाख सङ्क्रान्ति)

• When: Around mid-April (usually April 13 or 14)

• Calendar: Vikram Samvat (Bikram Sambat) — the official national calendar of Nepal

• Communities: Celebrated nationwide, by Hindus and others alike

• Significance: Marks the beginning of the solar month of Baisakh and the official Nepali New Year.

• Traditions: Cleaning homes, visiting temples, family gatherings, picnics, and processions (e.g., Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur).

Bisket Jatra (New Year of the Newars of Bhaktapur and surrounding areas)

• When: Coincides with Baisakh Sankranti (mid-April)

• Calendar: Vikram Sambat

• Communities: Primarily Newar community of Bhaktapur, Tokha, Thimi, etc.

• Significance: Celebrates the death of the old year and the start of the new one, tied to local myths.

• Traditions: Giant chariot processions of Bhairab and Bhadrakali, tug-of-war games, rituals, and feasting.

Maghe Sankranti / Maghi (Tharu and others)

• When: Mid-January (first day of the Nepali month Magh)

• Calendar: Solar calendar (based on the sun’s entry into Capricorn)

• Communities: Tharu, Magar, Khas, and others

• Significance: Considered the beginning of a new year for Tharu and some Magar communities.

• Traditions: Feasts (with sesame sweets and yams), honoring ancestors, and communal dancing.

Nepal Sambat – नेपाः संवत्

• When: Around October–November, during the festival of Tihar / Swanti

• Calendar: Nepal Sambat (lunar calendar)

• Communities: Newar community (especially in Kathmandu Valley)

• Significance: Marks the start of the Nepal Sambat New Year, commemorating the start of an indigenous lunar calendar begun by King Shankhadhar Sakhwa in 879 AD.

• Traditions: Family feasts, worship of ancestors (Mha Puja), cleaning homes, and celebrating self and renewal.

Tamu Lhosar (Gurung New Year)

• When: 15th Poush (around late December or early January)

• Calendar: Tamu Lhosar (lunar-based, similar to Tibetan cycle)

• Communities: Gurung community

• Significance: Marks the change of the lunar year and the beginning of a new cycle of the 12-year animal zodiac.

• Traditions: Cultural dances, gatherings, feasts, and traditional attire.

Sonam Lhosar (Tamang New Year)

• When: Between January–February

• Calendar: Tamang Lunar Calendar

• Communities: Tamang community

• Significance: New Year based on the Tibetan-Buddhist lunar calendar.

• Traditions: Worship, dances, and communal feasting.

Gyalpo Lhosar (Sherpa, Bhutia, and some Tibetan communities)

• When: February–March

• Calendar: Tibetan Lunar Calendar

• Communities: Sherpa, Bhutia, Hyolmo, and other Himalayan Buddhist communities

• Significance: Tibetan New Year, also celebrated in high Himalayan regions of Nepal.

• Traditions: Prayers, dances, feasts, and monastery rituals.