Nepal Sambat 1146 Celebrated

Nepal marks the New Year 1146 of the Nepal Sambat calendar today with vibrant cultural programs across the country.

Traditionally observed by the Newar community, the festival honors a calendar system established in 937 BS (880 AD) by national figure Shankhadhar Sakhwa, who initiated the era by forgiving debts of the poor. Experts note that Nepal Sambat retained recognition as a national calendar through the reign of King Prithvi Narayan Shah. It is celebrated prominently in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Babarmahal, Dolakha, and Bhemeshwor among Newar communities.

The festival highlights Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring traditions of its indigenous communities, combining rituals, music, and communal celebrations.