Kathmandu, October 31
The country is celebrating Nepal Sambat 1137 on Monday amid musical processions and other programmes. Newar communities celebrate it as their new year.
According to legends, Shankhadar Sakhwa, delcared a national hero 17 years ago, had founded this Sambat by repaying debts of poor people. Triratna Manandhar, then vice-chancellor of Lumbini Bouddha University, said Nepal Sambat had earned the recognition of national calendar during the reign of Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Nepal Sambat started during the reign of Lichchhavi King Raghavdev and was in vogue during the reign of Prithvi Narayan Shah, Manandhar said, adding: Before the Lichchhavi rule, Shak Sambat (Calendar) was in use. This is Nepal’s very own calendar because it borrows its name from the country itself.
After establishment of democracy in 1950, a campaign was initiated to get Nepal Sambat the recognition of national calendar.
Newar communities based in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Barhabise and Bhimeshwor, among other places, mark the Newar New Year (called Nhudaya Vintuna) with much fanfare.
On the occasion of Newari New Year 17 years ago, Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai had declared Sakhwa a national hero, recognising his act of repaying the loans of poor people and offering an outstanding example of social service.
Eight years ago, then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had declared that Nepal Sambat will get what he called national recognition.
