Kathamandu: The Nepal Sambat New Year 1145 is being celebrated across the country today amid various programs. The people of the Newar community have been celebrating the Nepal Sambat as New Year’s Day at present.
The Nepal Sambat is an indigenous calendar of Nepal. The Nepal Sambat or calendar year was begun by Shankhadhar Sakhwa by relieving the people of Nepal off debt during the rule of Lichchhavi King Raghavdev in 880 AD.
Recognizing the contribution of Shankhadhar Sakhwa to the country and people, the government announced Sakhwa a national luminary on November 18, 1999. Also today, the people of the Newar community observe the Mha Puja ritual in the evening.
Mha Puja is the worship of the self. Mha Puja is based on the religious belief that the soul or self is the most important in the world and that if the soul is satisfied, the gods are also satisfied and one’s life becomes meaningful and prosperous.
Likewise, the government had on October 23, 2008 nationally recognized the Nepal Sambat propounded by national luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa. Meanwhile, the President and the Vice-President, the Prime Minister as well as various party heads and leaders have issued statements extending best wishes to all those celebrating the Nepal Sambat today.
This day is celebrated especially as the new year of Nepal Sambat and as a special festival by the majority Newar population residing in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Bahrabise and Dolakha.
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