Kathmandu. Nepal Sambat 1147 has begun from today. On this occasion, the Newar community is celebrating Nepal Sambat as the New Year as well as performing Mhah, or self-puja. The Newar community has been celebrating Nepal Sambat as the New Year. There is a history that national hero Shankhadhar Sakhwa started Nepal Sambat in BS 937, AD 880, by clearing the debts of poor people. Nepal Sambat had been recognized as the national calendar until the reign of Prithvi Narayan Shah.

Nepal Sambat, which began during the reign of Licchavi-era King Raghav Dev, is Nepal’s original calendar. Historical records mention that the Shaka calendar was in use before the Licchavi period. Since the establishment of democracy in BS 2007, a campaign has been underway to give national recognition to this calendar, which was named after Nepal. The New Year of Nepal Sambat is especially celebrated in places with a large Newar population, including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Bahrabise, and Bhimeshwar in Dolakha.