Nepal Sambat (Newari New Year)

According to local legends, a citizen of Kathmandu named sankhadhar Sakhwa paid off the debts of all the people of Nepal. To commemorate the event, a new era was established known as Nepal Sambat. Newar community from all over the country mark the new year with different festivities and cultural programmes. The Nepal sambat follows the lunar calendar. It consists of 354 days per year and an added one month every third year. This calendar came into being and into official use during the reign of King Raghabden, immediately after the completion of Mandev sambat 304 (881 AD). Nepal sambat is an unique calendar in the whole world as all other calendars are named after some rulers or religious leaders where as Nepal sambat is the only calendar which is named after a country. Gorkha king Prithvi Narayan Shah brought Shaka Sambat into official use after conquering Kathmandu in 1769 AD.

Festival held in: Asoj Nepali Month/October 
Places to Observe this festival: Throughout Nepal