When did the Nepali New Year in Nepal start?
About Nepali New Year in Nepal Holiday
The Nepali New Year brings immense joy and enthusiasm to the people of Nepal. It's one of the most vibrant festivals in the country, celebrated over the course of two weeks and bringing Nepali culture and tradition to life.
The festivities, locally known as 'Nepal Sambat', begin on the first day of the lunar calendar. During this time, the people of Nepal come together to celebrate this significant occasion with much joy and fervor. Traditional songs, dances, prayers and rituals imbue the atmosphere with a festive spirit. Everyone participates in the activities, be it singing 'Nepali Pujaa' or decorating houses with colorful paper flags and streamers.
The Nepali New Year marks the hope for a better tomorrow and a celebration of the culture and traditions of Nepal that binds people of all faiths and ethnicities. The festival emphasizes the importance of family and community as everyone gets together to feast on 'Dahi Chiura' and 'Swarou' and exchange gifts. It is a time to express gratitude to each other and enjoy life to the fullest.
History and Origin of Nepali New Year in Nepal
Nepali New Year, also known as Bisket Jatra or Bisket Jatra Panchami, is a traditional New Year that marks the beginning of the Nepali calendar year. It is one of the most important religious festivals celebrated in Nepal and is a public holiday that takes place on the first of Baisakh, which usually falls mid-April every year. There are numerous legends and folk tales surrounding the origin of the event; however, they all share one common goal – to ward off evil and bring in the new year with prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.
The most popular legend involves an infamous demon, Bhasmasur. Bhasmasur was an asura (a demon in Hindu mythology) who was granted a wish by Lord Shiva that he could put his hand on whoever’s head he wished and turn them to ashes. The demon became arrogant and began setting his sights on Lord Shiva, the god of destruction – a move which Shiva was not pleased about. Shiva asked Vishnu, the god of protection, for help and Vishnu devised a plan that would stop the demon. He created a beautiful female asura (also called Mohini) to distract the demon with her beauty and subsequently defeat him. The demon was tricked and fell in love with the asura. He challenged her to a dance competition, and promised to marry her if he won. After a long battle, Mohini finally managed to make Bhasmasur dip into a deep pool of water and hold his own feet for the duration of the dance. Vishnu used this opportunity to burn Bhasmasur to ashes with the fire of his eyes.
Nepal celebrates the day to commemorate the power of Mohini to save Lord Shiva from the demon. People in the country also believe that Nepali New Year marks the beginning of spring and the start of the year’s agricultural cycle.
Significance and Meaning of Nepali New Year
Nepali New Year, celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists alike, is considered a genetically-inherited festival of Nepal with great religious significance. It illustrates the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new one, representing a fresh start and the hope that this one will bring greater success, prosperity, and peace.Furthermore, it[s a time for people to come together and celebrate, taking part in traditional activities such as ritual baths, family feasts and gift-giving, as well as reconnecting with family and friends, and exchanging blessings.
The local people also make an offering of special food to crows as they’re believed to bring in dharmic energy and good luck. Curses, evil, and disease should be taken out of the home and released into the wild – a ritual that is shared by many other cultures as well.
Observing the festival is believed to bring good luck and encourages people to take part in new adventures and take part in constructive activities for a prosperous and joyous future.
Traditions and Celebrations on Nepali New Year
Nepalese people observe the festival with great enthusiasm and fanfare. Throughout the country, celebrations take place in public squares, courtyards, and open areas. People are seen decorating their homes, as well as the roads and streets, flying kites and showering beautiful yellow-colored blossoms, which is believed to bring the new dawn.
The most important part of Nepali New Year is the Bisket Jatra, also known as ‘kai yatra’, where the locals make an offering of supreme power and battles between good and evil. The festival carries out throughout a whole day and is celebrated with high enthusiasm.
The best of this is the chariot procession. Idol Chariots for Lord Bijay and Goddess Bhagawati are prepared in the courtyard to which the people of the town pour in to seek blessings from the deities. At end of the procession, the four poles of the chariot are brought down and people voluntarily offer their respect. It is believed that whoever touches it will be blessed with success in their endeavors.
Geographical Spread and Regional Variations of Nepali New Year
Nepali New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Nepal and is the most popular festival of the country. However, the celebrations vary from region to region, with some cities and towns adopting their own distinct customs and traditions.
Kathmandu is an ultimate holiday destination for Nepali New Year. The festival here is celebrated with great joy and fervor with celebrations lasting throughout the day and into the night. People flock in from all over the country, and the highway from Kathmandu to Pokhara is seen jam-packed with people. The event is marked by special parades and street processions, as well as rituals and cultural performances throughout the city.
In the eastern regions, particularly in the districts of Bhojpur, Ilam, and Jhapa, the festival is celebrated in traditional ways. The people of these areas take out chariot processions and don colorful traditional dresses in an attempt to add more zeal to the festival. People also celebrate by setting off fireworks and cracking small firecrackers floating in bowl of water.
The eastern region also marks the occasion with a religious practice known as ‘Lai Khutta’, where people make an offering of a red thread to Goddess Bhagawati, hoping for better luck and a better future. Furthermore, the local people of eastern Nepal also believe in presenting new clothes and taking early morning baths in order to seek divine blessing.
Modern Day Observations of Nepali New Year
Due to globalization and the influence of Internet, many Nepalese have started to adopt some western customs into their holiday traditions. One of the most popular of these is the exchanging of greetings cards for the event. Children in particular, get excited about the new iPhones, tablets, and iPads that their parents offer them as gifts.
The majority of Nepalis still appreciate the traditional values and adhere to the traditional customs and rituals of the day. In particular, it is important to pay respects by taking part in the special offerings and rituals, spending time with family, attending religious discourses, and exchanging gifts and blessings with one another to mark the day.
Interesting Facts or Trivia about Nepali New Year
– Nepal has its own distinct calendar – Bikram Sambat – initiated in the 5th century by the famous Nepalese king Shivadeva.
– The prevailing theme during Nepali New Year is Lord Shiva and Goddess Bhagwati, the divine images that symbolize learning, eternity, and prosperity.
– The festivals marks the start of a new year and is a sign of spring and warmer weather and coming of the agricultural season.
– One of the most popular traditions of the day is flying kites. The skies are filled with colors of the kites and this is believed to be the source of positivity and prosperity for the new year.
– People make an offering of special food to crows, which is believed to bring in dharmic energy and good luck, and are used to remove curses, evil, and diseases from the household.
– The famous Chobe festival, which is celebrated at the end of the Nepalese New Year, is known for its traditional chariot procession.
– Furthermore, according to legend, during Nepali New Year, Goddess Bhagawati transforms into a intelligent goddess (Mohini) to save Lord Shiva from the demon Bhasmasur.
– People also believe that the chariot used in the Chobhe festival is driven by mystical horses, rather than physical horses.
Holiday Wishes for Nepali New Year
1. May this Nepali New Year bring joy, happiness, and good luck to you and your family.
2. May the festival of Nepali New Year symbolize a new dawn of hope and prosperity.
3. Wishing you and your loved ones peace, joy and lots of blessings on this special occasion.
4. Wishing you a prosperous Nepali New Year filled with peace and positive vibes!
5. May all your dreams come true this Nepali New Year and you get the strength to achieve them.
Holiday Messages for Nepali New Year
1. Have a wonderful Nepali New Year filled with fun, memories, and laughter.
2. Here’s to a new start to a new year. Wishing you a prosperous Nepali New Year.
3. Best wishes to you and your family on the auspicious occasion of Nepali New Year!
4. May the festival of Nepali New Year bring you success and higher heights of energy and joy.
5. Have a joy-filled Nepali New Year filled with compassion, love, and prosperity.
Holiday Quotes for Nepali New Year
1. “May the festival of Nepali New Year open up new horizons of success and goodness in your life.”
2. “Nepali New Year is a symbol of a fresh start and the hope that this one will bring good health, joy, and abundance into your life.”
3. “May peace, love, and prosperity be with you this Nepali New Year.”
4. “Wishing you a joyous Nepali New Year full of fun and laughter.”
5. “May this Nepali New Year give you a chance to start afresh and do the right thing.”
Other Popular Holiday Info about Nepali New Year
The festival of Nepali New Year is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Nepal, particularly in the capital city of Kathmandu. The day marks the beginning of a new agricultural season and is a sign of spring and warmer weather.
People in the country decorate their homes, as well as the roads and streets, flying kites and showering beautiful yellow-colored blossoms, which is believed to bring the new dawn. There are also elaborate chariot processions and cultural performances throughout the city, culminating with a special offering to Goddess Bhagawati.
Special foods are also prepared on this day, including ‘Gur Ka Halwa’ (an Indian sweet dish made of sugar and grain). People indulge in traditional delicacies and prepare meals for family and friends.
Apart from the religious beliefs and traditions associated with the festival, Nepali New Year also stands for an opportunity to start fresh and leave behind the mistakes of the previous year. People also take part in religious activities, gift-giving, and reconnecting with family and friends.
It is a joyous festival in Nepal and overall, one of the most important events celebrated in the country. It is a day of love, joy, and hope for the future with many exciting and fun-filled activities.
Nepali New Year in Nepal Also Called
Nepali New Year, also known as ‘Nepal Sambat’ or ‘Bikram Sambat’, is celebrated on the first day of the Nepali calendar – the Baisakh month (April-May).
FUN FACT:
In year 896, Nepali New Year in Nepal is celebrated on April 14 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!