Nepal welcomes new year 2083 with nationwide celebrations & renewed hope
The day is widely regarded as a time for reflection, renewal, and setting new goals for the year ahead.
KATHMANDU: Nepal has ushered in the New Year 2083 of the Bikram Sambat calendar, marking the occasion with enthusiasm, optimism, and a spirit of fresh beginnings across the country.
Baishakh 1, the first day of the new year, is being celebrated nationwide with people exchanging greetings, visiting temples, and gathering with family and friends. The day is widely regarded as a time for reflection, renewal, and setting new goals for the year ahead.
The Bikram Sambat calendar, one of the world’s oldest traditional calendars, is based on the movement of the sun. The New Year coincides with the sun’s transition from Pisces to Aries, a phenomenon known as Mesh Sankranti or Baishakh Sankranti. Scholars describe this solar-based system as both scientifically grounded and enduring.
Traditionally, people begin the day with ritual bathing, cleaning their homes and surroundings, and offering prayers at temples. Festive meals are shared, and communities come together to celebrate with joy and harmony.
The occasion is also seen as a moment for self-evaluation. Individuals reflect on the successes and failures of the past year and make resolutions aimed at personal growth and achievement.
Nepali communities around the world are also marking the New Year, highlighting its cultural and emotional significance beyond national borders.
In Bhaktapur, the vibrant Biska Jatra festival is being observed alongside the New Year celebrations, adding a unique cultural dimension. Meanwhile, in the Terai region, the blooming of the sacred Salhesh flower on this day adds further traditional importance.
On the occasion, President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, and other dignitaries have extended their greetings messages, wishing for peace, prosperity, and continued progress for the nation.
