In Pics: Newar community welcomes Nepal Sambat new year

KATHMANDU: Nepal Sambat 1143 has begun today, Wednesday. Nepal Sambat is thought to have originated with Bikram Sambat 937. The Newar community, in particular, rejoices in Nepal Samvat as ‘Nhu Danya Bhintuna’. They lavishly celebrate Nepal Sambat by exchanging New Year greetings.

Shankhadhar Shakhwa is regarded as the father of Nepal Sambat. The Newar community has begun to celebrate ‘Nhu Dan Ya Bhintuna’ in a special way, in honor of the fact that he has waived all of the farmers’ loans. Nepal Sambat has been recognized as a national Sambat by the Nepal Government since Nepal Sambat 1129, i.e. Bikram Sambat 2065.

Nepal is a fundamental and cultural feature of the country. King Mahendra registered the Nepal Sambat and Ranjana scripts with the United Nations and attempted to introduce them as a national identity to the international community. Ranjana script is now the working script in some municipalities.

Mhapuja, or self-worship, is performed by the Newar communities on this evening. Newari communities believe that only by being satisfied with their soul will they be successful in all of their endeavors. Mha is a Newari word that means “body.”

Photos of the greeting program organized by Gokarneshwar Yuva Upkar Club on the occasion of Nepal Sambat:-