Travel guide · Nepal
The Nepali Calendar (Bikram Sambat) Explained
Bikram Sambat is Nepal's official calendar, roughly 56–57 years ahead of the Gregorian — here's how it works.
Nepal's official calendar is Bikram Sambat (B.S.), a solar calendar that runs roughly 56–57 years ahead of the Gregorian one — so the Gregorian year 2026 overlaps with Bikram Sambat 2082 and 2083. It governs government documents, public holidays, school years, newspapers and festival dates, while the Gregorian calendar is used alongside it for international and aviation purposes. Once you grasp the offset, the dates you see on tickets, visas and notices stop being a mystery.
Where Bikram Sambat comes from
Bikram Sambat is traditionally said to date from the reign of the legendary King Vikramaditya and is also used in parts of India, but Nepal is the country where it remains the primary official calendar. It is a lunisolar-influenced solar calendar: the year is divided into twelve months whose lengths vary from year to year, which is why a simple fixed conversion never quite works.
The twelve months
The Bikram Sambat year begins in mid-April with Baisakh and runs through:
- Baisakh, Jestha, Ashar — late spring into the start of monsoon
- Shrawan, Bhadra, Ashoj — monsoon into early autumn
- Kartik, Mangsir, Poush — autumn into early winter
- Magh, Falgun, Chaitra — winter into early spring
Each month can be 29 to 32 days long, set by astronomical calculation rather than a fixed pattern, so calendars are published year by year.
New Year and converting dates
The Bikram Sambat New Year falls in mid-April, usually around 13–14 April, and is a national holiday. To convert a Gregorian date roughly, add about 56 years and eight and a half months — but because the months have variable lengths, use an official converter or a dual-dated Nepali calendar for anything that matters. Note that Nepal also celebrates other New Years, including the Newar Nepal Sambat New Year and the Tibetan Losar, each on its own reckoning.
Why it matters for visitors
You will meet Bikram Sambat dates on visa stamps, bus and museum tickets, bank forms and public notices, often printed beside the English date. Because the calendar sets when offices close and festivals fall, it is worth cross-checking with our Nepal public holidays for 2026 and the festival calendar of Nepal when planning. The other quirk that catches travellers out is Nepal's clock — see our Nepal time zone explained guide — and for the full set of day-to-day basics, browse the Nepal practical travel essentials collection. To line your visit up with the seasons, our best time to visit Nepal guide pairs the two calendars with the weather.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bikram Sambat calendar?+
Bikram Sambat (often written B.S. or BS) is the official solar calendar of Nepal. It runs about 56 to 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar, so the Gregorian year 2026 corresponds to roughly Bikram Sambat 2082–2083. It is used for government documents, holidays, newspapers and most official Nepali dates, while the Gregorian calendar appears alongside it for international purposes.
When is Nepali New Year?+
The Bikram Sambat New Year falls in mid-April, usually around 13 or 14 April on the Gregorian calendar, marking the start of the month of Baisakh. It is a public holiday celebrated across the country and is distinct from other New Year observances such as the Newar Nepal Sambat New Year and the Tibetan Losar.
How do I convert a Bikram Sambat date to a Gregorian one?+
As a rough rule, add about 56 years and 8.5 months to a Gregorian date to get the Bikram Sambat date, but the exact gap varies because Bikram Sambat months have different, variable lengths. For anything precise — like festivals or paperwork — use an official date converter or the dual-dated Nepali calendar, since the offset shifts through the year.
Does Nepal also use the Gregorian calendar?+
Yes, for international travel, business and aviation Nepal uses the Gregorian (English) calendar, and most documents aimed at foreigners show it. But official Nepali life — government offices, schools, holidays and the press — runs primarily on Bikram Sambat, so you will often see both dates printed side by side.
