The Origins of Nepal Sambat
In Nepalese history, determining which official calendar was in use until the Licchavi era remains a challenge. Historians hold differing opinions – some suggest the Shaka Sambat, while others propose the Vikram Sambat, Licchavi Sambat, or Gupta Sambat. Due to the lack of definitive evidence, no consensus has been reached. However, most Licchavi-era inscriptions were predominantly written in Sanskrit, indicating that it was the language of governance at the time.
Following the Licchavi period, Nepal witnessed the emergence of a new calendar system and a new language – Nepal Sambat and the Newar language. It is believed that Nepal Sambat was introduced in 879 CE. This transition is evident in inscriptions, copperplate records, and manuscripts from the post-Licchavi period, where Nepal Sambat became the standard dating system, while Newar (also referred to as Nepal Bhasa) began appearing alongside Sanskrit. Due to this historical connection, Nepal Sambat is often associated with the Newar community and is sometimes referred to as the Newar Sambat.
From the early Malla period (12th century CE) to the mid-Malla period, the Newar language flourished, as evidenced by the vast number of literary works written in it. Given that inscriptions and records from this period consistently use this calendar system, it is natural to refer to it as the Newar Sambat. Additionally, since the Newar language is sometimes referred to as Nepal Bhasa (Nepalese Language), some refer to this calendar as Nepal Sambat.
While some historical chronicles claim that Nepal Sambat originated during King Jayadeva’s reign whereas some claim during King Raghavadeva, there is no concrete historical evidence to support this claim. However, a manuscript of Prajnaparamita (प्रज्ञापारमिता – Perfection of Wisdom Sutra) bearing the year Nepal Sambat 40 (1119 CE) has been found, dating back to the reign of King Shankharadeva (late 11th century CE), who was revered as a great ruler. This aligns with the commonly held belief that Nepal Sambat was initiated by Shankhadhar Sakhwa, a legendary figure associated with its founding.
Nepal Sambat holds immense cultural and religious importance in the Newar community, as nearly all major Newar festivals and rituals are still based on this traditional Nepal Sambat calendar. Unlike Bikram Sambat, which is the official government calendar of Nepal, Newars continue to follow Nepal Sambat for scheduling festivals, life cycle ceremonies, and community events.
Mha Puja and the Start of Nepal Sambat
Nepal Sambat begins on the first day of the waxing moon in the month of Kartik (Kartika Shukla Pratipada), the day after Laxmi Puja. Culturally, this marks the start of a new year, celebrated through the ritual of Mha Puja, which translates to “self-worship” in the Newar language.
Read step-by-step guide to perform Mha Puja >>>
Since Nepal Sambat is a calendar closely linked to Newar culture and language, the Newar community takes great pride in celebrating Mha Puja with enthusiasm and devotion. The ritual focuses on purification and self-blessing, signifying a fresh start for the individual in the new year. The ceremony includes symbolic offerings of auspicious fruits, fish, flowers, and other sacred items, all of which are associated with well-being and prosperity.
During the Malla era, the Kathmandu Valley’s diverse population gradually integrated into Newar society, regardless of caste whether Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, or Shudra. As they adopted the Newar language and customs, they became part of the Newar identity. Thus, Mha Puja, which may now seem like an ethnic festival, was once a widely observed celebration marking the beginning of the new year across all communities in Kathmandu Valley.
However, after the decline of the Malla dynasty, people from various regions migrated to the Kathmandu Valley but did not fully integrate into its language and traditions. As a result, Mha Puja became primarily celebrated by the Newar community, while other groups observed Govardhan Puja on the same day.
Mha Puja and Govardhan Puja: A Cultural Parallel
While the Newar community celebrates Mha Puja, the rest of Nepalese society observes Govardhan Puja, which is linked to Lord Krishna’s legend of lifting Govardhan Hill to protect villagers from torrential rains. Though this story has religious significance, Govardhan Puja also has a strong economic aspect, emphasizing the importance of livestock wealth.
Wealth in traditional societies is not limited to gold, silver, and food grains – livestock, particularly cows, have long been considered a symbol of prosperity. Since cows are essential for agriculture, transportation, and trade, their well-being was historically associated with economic stability. The worship of cows during Govardhan Puja aligns with the broader theme of honoring sources of wealth and sustenance, much like Mha Puja, which focuses on self-purification and prosperity.
Additionally, ancient texts suggest that Govardhan Hill symbolizes a land rich in grass and vegetation, which is vital for cattle nourishment. This further supports the notion that Govardhan Puja is not just a religious tradition but also a celebration of economic sustainability.
Legend of Shankhadhar Sakhwa and the Origin of Nepal Sambat
In the kingdom of Kantipur, there lived a merchant named Shankhadhar Sakhwa. During that time, trade and business were not flourishing, and agricultural production was also low. The people had to rely on loans from the state treasury to sustain their livelihoods. In fact, there was hardly a single household that had not taken a loan. This situation was not limited to Kantipur alone but was prevalent in other kingdoms of the valley as well.
Amid such hardships, the king of Bhaktapur sought advice from an astrologer on how to improve the situation. The astrologer suggested that if sand from Lakhutirtha (a sacred site in Kathmandu) was collected on an auspicious full moon day, it would turn into gold, thereby solving the economic crisis.
Following the astrologer’s advice, the king ordered laborers to bring sand from Lakhutirtha. While they were transporting the sand, they encountered Shankhadhar Sakhwa. Curious about why they were carrying sand from such a faraway place, he inquired with the laborers. They responded that they were simply following royal orders and were unaware of the reason behind it.
Shankhadhar, suspecting there was something extraordinary about the sand, reasoned, “There must be some reason behind this; otherwise, why would they come all this way just for sand?” He then invited the laborers to his home, had them empty the sand there, and treated them to delicious food. Afterward, he allowed them to take more sand from the same place to continue their task. The well-fed and pleased laborers complied without hesitation.
Meanwhile, in Bhaktapur, the king was perplexed as to why the astrologer’s plan had failed. He questioned the astrologer, who suspected that something must have gone wrong. Upon interrogating the laborers, the truth was revealed, Shankhadhar had taken the original sand. Realizing their plan had been disrupted, they sought alternative solutions.
On the other hand, the sand in Shankhadhar’s home indeed turned into gold. Overjoyed, he soon discovered why the people from Bhaktapur had been collecting the sand. Instead of keeping the wealth for himself, he decided to use it for the benefit of the people. Consulting with the king, he used the gold to pay off all the debts of the citizens, freeing them from financial burdens.
This event coincided with Mha Puja, the Newar festival of self-worship during Tihar / Swonti (the festival of lights). While people were celebrating Mha Puja, they received the joyous news that their debts had been erased. Overwhelmed with happiness, the government declared that a new era had begun on that very day, naming it Nepal Sambat (नेपाल संवत्).
Thus, it is believed that Nepal Sambat and Mha Puja have been celebrated together since that time.
The Decline of Nepal Sambat and the Rise of Bikram Sambat
Nepal Sambat thrived as a widely used calendar for over a thousands of years, deeply embedded in the cultural, religious, and administrative practices of Nepal. However, this long-standing calendar system was officially abolished in 1903 CE (Nepal Sambat 1023) by then Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher Rana.
Chandra Shamsher, as part of his administrative reforms, replaced Nepal Sambat with Bikram Sambat, which was already in use in neighboring India and various Hindu traditions. This decision ended the 1,000+ years old legacy of Nepal Sambat, making Bikram Sambat Nepal’s official calendar, a system that remains in effect to this day.
In 2008 CE, the Government of Nepal formed a committee to evaluate the Bikram Sambat calendar. The committee found that the calendar was out of sync by 24 days. According to its report, the Bikram Sambat calendar runs 24 days ahead of its actual astronomical alignment, with a discrepancy of one full day accumulating every 70.6 years. The report even recommended removing an entire month in 2008 to correct this inconsistency.
For more details, refer to the Himalayan Times or click here for the PDF version.
Despite its removal as an official calendar, Nepal Sambat never disappeared culturally, as the Newar community continued to use it in religious and social events. All Newar festivals are still celebrated based on the Nepal Sambat calendar.
Revival Efforts: The Protest and Parade for Nepal Sambat
Every year on Mha Puja day, coinciding with Tihar/Swonti Nakha, the Newar community proudly celebrates the Nepal Sambat New Year with grand processions and chanting. The parade is marked by colorful cultural performances, traditional music, and public gatherings that recognize the historical significance of Nepal Sambat.
For many years, the parade included a symbolic protest against Bikram Sambat, with chants of “Nepal Sambat Rastriya Sambat” (Nepal Sambat as the National Calendar), advocating for its reinstatement as Nepal’s official calendar. The movement to restore Nepal Sambat gained momentum over time, and today, it is recognized as a national heritage calendar, though Bikram Sambat remains the official government calendar.
Nepal Sambat Today
Although Bikram Sambat continues to be the official calendar of Nepal, Nepal Sambat has regained cultural and national significance. In 2008 CE (Nepal Sambat 1129), the Government of Nepal officially recognized Nepal Sambat as a national calendar, but it has yet to replace Bikram Sambat in official documents and governance.
The annual New Year celebrations of Nepal Sambat continue to be a symbol of pride, identity, and resilience for the Newar community, keeping alive the traditions and legacy of Nepal’s indigenous calendar system.
Conclusion
Nepal Sambat and Mha Puja represent a unique cultural heritage deeply rooted in Nepalese history. While Nepal Sambat reflects the linguistic and cultural evolution of the Newar people, Mha Puja symbolizes self-respect, well-being, and prosperity. Over time, as Nepal’s demographic landscape shifted, Mha Puja became primarily a Newar festival, while Govardhan Puja emerged as the broader celebration among other communities. Despite these differences, both traditions share a common cultural and economic significance, making them integral parts of Nepalese heritage.
References
- Nepali Chad-Parbaharu Ko Bibechana, Mana Bajra Bajracharya, 1968