Nepal Sambat 1143 has started today. Considered the original sambat of Nepal, this samvat is celebrated as a new year by the Newar community all across the country.

On the occasion of Nepal Sambat (New Year), the Newar community in different parts of the country including the valley presents a cultural rally based on Newari culture with various dances, instruments and tableaux.

Rashtriya Vibhuti(national hero) Shankhadhar Sakhwa started Nepal Sambat in Bikram Sambat 937 (AD 880) by redeeming the debts of poor people. Nepal Sambat, which started during the reign of King Raghavdev of the Licchavi Dynasty, was recognized as a national Sambat until the reign of Prithvi Narayan Shah. The then Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai declared Sakhwa a “Rashtriya Vibhuti”(national hero) on New Year’s Day 2056, highly appreciating the work of providing an excellent model of social service by paying off the debts of the poor people and also running the original Sambat in Nepal.