Nepal greets the new year with a great deal of tradition and festive celebration as springtime splashes color everywhere. Bikram Sambat, or Baisakh, also called in Nepal, is celebrated in mid-April and brings a new year full of lively festivities, delicious food, and cultural shows. Curious about this odd festival? Your guide to experiencing the charm of the Nepali New Year will be this blog!
Nepali New Year is observed according to the lunisolar calendar and is observed on the first day of the Baisakh month in the Bikram Sambat calendar. This complex calendar synchronizes with lunar and solar cycles, producing a date that varies from mid-April to mid-May on the Gregorian calendar. Nepali New Year is a national holiday celebrated to usher in a new year.
The colorful display of the Nepali New Year takes place over a few days. Here’s a sneak peek at the main events:
- Guthiwai: Guthiwai is the week that precedes New Year’s Day. Cultural events including masked dancers, traditional music, and vibrant street processions bring villages to life.
- Bisket Jatra (Bhaktapur): During this vibrant festival, which is particularly celebrated in the ancient city of Bhaktapur, a tall chariot representing the monarch of the gods, Indra, is raised. It’s a captivating display of dedication and cultural heritage.
- New Year’s Day (Baisakh 1st): On the first day of Baisakh, Nepalese people wake up early to shower and wear new clothes, symbolizing a fresh start. Families gather for a special feast featuring delicacies like sel roti (a sweet, deep-fried bread) and dahi (yogurt). Blessings are exchanged, and elders offer red tika (a paste made from rice and vermilion) for good luck and prosperity.
- Praying & Visiting Temples: On New Year’s Day, a lot of Nepalese people go to temples to ask for blessings for the upcoming year. To ensure prosperity and well-being, prayers are said and gifts are given.
Beyond the cheerful festivities, there are several reasons why Nepali New Year is extremely important. Some of the reasons are mentioned below:
- Signifying a New Beginning: The celebration marks the conclusion of the previous year and the start of the current one. It’s a time for introspection, rebirth, and making resolutions for the upcoming year.
- Honoring Cultural Heritage: The country’s rich cultural tapestry is vividly on show during Nepali New Year. The link to Nepal’s past is strengthened by the revival of traditional music, dance, and rituals.
- Building Stronger Family Bonds: Families can get together, catch up, and have a special meal during the celebrations. This reaffirms how vital family and community are in Nepali society.
Here’s how to fully enjoy the celebrations if you happen to be in Nepal during the Nepali New Year:
- View Cultural Performances: During Guthiwai, visit Bhaktapur or Kathmandu’s Durbar Squares to see colorful street dances, masked actors, and traditional music.
- Sample Nepali Food: Savor a customary New Year’s meal that includes dahi, sel roti, and other local delicacies. During this period, a lot of restaurants have special New Year’s meals.
- Wear Traditional Clothes: To enjoy the festival mood, consider dressing in a sari for women or a kurta (length tunic) for men, though it’s not required.
- Observe Local Customs: Keep in mind that Nepali New Year is a religious and cultural occasion. Respect customs, refrain from interfering with ceremonies, and get consent before snapping pictures of people—especially those dressed religiously.
Nepali New Year is a colorful artwork of family get-togethers, cultural manifestations, and rebirth. It’s a celebration of life itself and a peep into the core of Nepali customs. So, enjoy the delicacies, enjoy the colors, and lose yourself in the festive atmosphere of Nepali New Year!
Also Read:https://whatthenepal.com/2024/04/12/unforgettable-nepal-kathmandu-and-beyond-in-3-days/
