Nepali New Year (Naya Barsha)
नयाँ वर्ष
April 14, 2026 · Baishakh 1, 2083 BS
Nationwide
Plan a trip around Nepali New Year (Naya Barsha)History & origin
The Bikram Sambat era, traditionally founded by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain, was adopted as Nepal's official calendar in 1901 (2007 BS) under the Rana government. Baishakh 1 also carries older roots as an agricultural new year marking the start of the sowing season, a tradition it shares, under different names and dates, with new year observances across the wider subcontinent.
How it’s celebrated
Government offices, banks and schools close for the public holiday. Nepalis exchange new year greetings, visit family and mark the day with a special meal, and many businesses close their old fiscal-year accounts and open new ledgers. Nationally broadcast greetings and cultural programs mark the day, alongside strictly local celebrations such as Bhaktapur's Bisket Jatra.
Tips for visitors
Quieter and more low-key nationwide than Bisket Jatra itself — expect a public holiday with light traffic in most cities, while Bhaktapur is the place to be for an actual public spectacle.
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