Introduction
The Nepali calendar, known as “Bikram Sambat” (BS), is the official calendar of Nepal and is deeply intertwined with the nation’s cultural, religious, and historical heritage. While many countries use the Gregorian calendar, Nepal continues to follow its own ancient system of timekeeping that holds significance in various aspects of life. The Bikram Sambat calendar is used to mark national holidays, festivals, religious events, and even personal milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. It plays a crucial role in defining the rhythm of social and religious life in Nepal.
This article delves into the origin of the Bikram Sambat calendar, its structure, its significance in Nepalese culture, and how it has stood the test of time.
Origin of Bikram Sambat
The Legendary King Vikramaditya
The Bikram Sambat calendar is named after King Vikramaditya, a legendary Indian ruler. According to tradition, the calendar was established to commemorate his victory over the Sakas, a group of foreign invaders, around 56 BCE. The Bikram Sambat system thus starts from the year 56 BCE, meaning it is 56.7 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
King Vikramaditya is believed to have ruled from the city of Ujjain in present-day India, and his court was a center of learning, art, and culture. His era was associated with prosperity and stability, and thus his name was chosen to symbolize the new era of timekeeping that began with the Bikram Sambat calendar.
The Introduction of Bikram Sambat in Nepal
The Bikram Sambat calendar was officially adopted in Nepal in 1901 AD by then-prime minister Chandra Shumsher Rana. While the Nepalese had used various other calendar systems, including the Saka Sambat and the Gregorian calendar for specific purposes, Bikram Sambat became the standard for all official and civil uses. The Nepali New Year, celebrated in mid-April, marks the beginning of the Bikram Sambat calendar.
Nepal’s adoption of Bikram Sambat reflects the nation’s connection to Hinduism and its shared cultural heritage with India. Over time, it became more than just a timekeeping system, embedding itself in the social, religious, and agricultural life of Nepal.
Structure of the Bikram Sambat Calendar
Solar Calendar System
The Bikram Sambat calendar is a solar calendar, meaning it is based on the movement of the Earth around the Sun. It consists of 12 months, just like the Gregorian calendar, but the length of the months can vary depending on the year. Each year in the Bikram Sambat calendar typically contains 365 days, but during a leap year, an additional day is added, making it 366 days.
The Months in the Bikram Sambat Calendar
The months of the Bikram Sambat calendar are as follows:
- Baisakh (बैशाख) – April-May
- Jestha (जेठ) – May-June
- Ashadh (असार) – June-July
- Shrawan (श्रावण) – July-August
- Bhadra (भदौ) – August-September
- Ashwin (आश्विन) – September-October
- Kartik (कार्तिक) – October-November
- Mangsir (मंसिर) – November-December
- Poush (पौष) – December-January
- Magh (माघ) – January-February
- Falgun (फाल्गुन) – February-March
- Chaitra (चैत्र) – March-April
Each month begins with the first day (Pratipada) of the waxing moon and ends with the full moon, which is the 15th day of the lunar month. The 16th day marks the beginning of the waning moon cycle, which again ends with a new moon. This blending of solar and lunar calculations makes the calendar unique and complex.
New Year’s Day in Bikram Sambat
The New Year in the Bikram Sambat calendar falls on the first day of the month of Baisakh, usually in mid-April. The date marks the beginning of spring, which is also significant in the Hindu religion as a time of renewal and rejuvenation. It is a national holiday in Nepal, celebrated with great enthusiasm and a variety of cultural programs.
Significance of the Bikram Sambat Calendar in Nepal
Religious Significance
The Bikram Sambat calendar plays a critical role in determining the dates of Hindu festivals and rituals in Nepal. Major festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Teej, and Janai Purnima are all celebrated according to the dates set by this calendar. The lunar phases are closely observed for these religious events, which often coincide with full moons or other important astrological occurrences.
For instance, Dashain, one of the most significant Hindu festivals in Nepal, is celebrated for 15 days starting from the waxing moon of Ashwin. Similarly, the festival of Tihar is observed during the month of Kartik, determined by the phases of the moon as per the Bikram Sambat calendar.
Agricultural and Social Importance
In an agrarian society like Nepal, the calendar has traditionally served as a guide for agricultural activities. Farmers time their planting, harvesting, and other activities according to the seasonal cycles reflected in the Bikram Sambat calendar. Certain months, like Ashadh and Shrawan, mark the monsoon season, while Mangsir and Poush are crucial for harvests.
Socially, the calendar is vital for arranging weddings, naming ceremonies, and other important milestones in life. The choice of an auspicious date (Tithi) for such events is often made in consultation with astrologers who base their calculations on the Bikram Sambat calendar.
National Identity and Unity
The Bikram Sambat calendar is a symbol of national identity for Nepal, distinct from other countries that use the Gregorian calendar. It is a unifying aspect of Nepali culture, providing continuity and tradition in an increasingly globalized world. The Nepali New Year, for example, is celebrated with great national pride, as it marks not only the beginning of a new year but also reinforces the cultural and historical legacy of the country.
Differences Between Bikram Sambat and Gregorian Calendar
While the Gregorian calendar is widely used around the world, the Bikram Sambat calendar is different in several aspects:
- Leap Year Difference: While the Gregorian calendar adds a leap day every four years, the Bikram Sambat calendar adjusts the length of its months to ensure that the calendar remains aligned with the solar year.
- Year Difference: The Bikram Sambat calendar is roughly 56.7 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. For example, the year 2024 AD in the Gregorian calendar corresponds to 2081 BS in the Bikram Sambat calendar.
- New Year’s Date: The Nepali New Year falls in mid-April, unlike the Gregorian New Year, which is celebrated on January 1.
These differences make the Bikram Sambat calendar unique and highlight the cultural distinctions that Nepal maintains from the rest of the world.
Challenges of Using the Bikram Sambat Calendar
Despite its historical significance, the Bikram Sambat calendar presents some practical challenges in today’s globalized world. Since the Gregorian calendar is the dominant international standard, Nepalis often need to use both systems in their day-to-day lives. This can create confusion, especially for businesses, government activities, and educational institutions that operate with global counterparts.
Additionally, the complexity of the Bikram Sambat calendar, with its fluctuating month lengths and blending of lunar and solar systems, makes it difficult to use in modern digital platforms, which predominantly rely on the Gregorian system. However, efforts are being made to integrate the Bikram Sambat calendar into digital tools like mobile applications and websites.
Conclusion
The Bikram Sambat calendar is more than just a system of tracking time—it is a symbol of Nepal’s rich history, culture, and identity. Its origins, tied to the legendary King Vikramaditya, its religious significance, and its continued use in social, religious, and agricultural practices reflect how deeply embedded it is in Nepalese life. Despite challenges posed by the global dominance of the Gregorian calendar, the Bikram Sambat calendar remains a vital part of Nepal’s cultural fabric. By understanding and preserving it, Nepalese society continues to honor its past while adapting to the modern world.
References
- Subedi, R. “The Bikram Sambat Calendar: History and Significance.” Nepal Heritage Review, 2022.
- Ghimire, B. “Vikramaditya and the Nepali Calendar.” Journal of Himalayan Studies, 2019.
- Thapa, K. “Nepali Timekeeping: The Role of Bikram Sambat in Modern Nepal.” Kathmandu Post, 2021.
- Nepal Government. “Calendar Systems in Nepal: A Historical Overview.” Nepal Cultural Studies, 2020.
- Shrestha, P. “Festivals, Seasons, and Agriculture: The Role of Bikram Sambat.” Agricultural Journal of Nepal, 2018.
