Nepal Era New year today

The Nepal Sambat (Nepal Era), which was started by Shankhadhar Shakhwaa entered its 1127th year Monday with the Newar community from all over the country eager to mark the new year with different festivities and cultural programs.



Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala , Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Pradeep Gyawali and Human Right Activist Padhama Ratna Tuladhar in a program marking 'Nepal Sambat 1127', the Newari New Year,in a programme in Kathmandu, Monday. nepalnews.com/rh

The Nepal Sambat follows the lunar calendar. Shakwaa freed Nepali people from their debts contributing the money from his own pocket and named the calendar 'Nepal Sambat.' The lunar calendar is followed for all cultural events and rituals.

The government declared Shankhadhar Shakhwaa as a national hero on November 18, 1999.

Various programmes were organised on Sunday in the Valley on the eve of Nepal Sambat 1127 New Year.

The Newa Deygoo Nepal Mandal organised a mass jogging programme in the morning from Basantapur. The Nhupucha Bhimsensthan on Sunday organised a children’s running programme at Basantapur to mark the New Year.

The Mahadev Makhan Club organised a sukunda rally Sunday evening. A large number of Newars, clad in traditional attire, carried traditional lamp-pot sukundas and marched along the city roads, wishing a happy New Year. A candle walk was organised at Baniyachowk Jhochhen of Kathmandu by the Rotaract Club of New Road City.

In Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Nhuda Samaroha Samiti and Laykoo Puchha organised a cultural rally participated in by dozens of traditional musical bands went through the thoroughfares of the town.

In Lalitpur, a candle walk was organised by Rotaract Club of Lalitpur at Mangal Bazar. nepalnews.com pb Oct 23 06