The Nepali New Year, also known as Navavarsha or Bikram Sambat, is a grand celebration in Nepal. Celebrated in mid-April, it marks the start of the solar Hindu calendar. This event is highly significant across the nation, and it is a public holiday which allows everyone to participate in the festivities. The date of the New Year varies but it usually falls within the first few weeks of April. The celebration of the New Year is associated with the advent of spring, a season of rejuvenation and rebirth.
Traditionally, Nepalese people celebrate the New Year with various cultural and traditional performances, parades, and family gatherings. People visit temples, offer prayers, and share good wishes with each other. Historic festivals such as Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur and Sindoor Jatra in Madhyapur Thimi are among the key highlights of this holiday. These joyous occasions often involve the locals pulling chariots, playing traditional music, and dancing in the streets.
The Nepali New Year is not just a day to mark the beginning of a new calendar; it also signifies the country's rich, cultural past, and the values of resilience and endurance that Nepalese people have held for centuries. It is a time for people to come together, respecting and celebrating their shared culture and history. This holiday sets the tone for the year ahead, laying a path of hope, prosperity, and happiness for everyone.