Festival · Nepal
Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat)
Naya Barsha, the Bikram Sambat New Year in mid-April, celebrated nationwide and most vividly at Bisket Jatra.
Nepali New Year, known as Naya Barsha, falls around 13–14 April each year, when the official Bikram Sambat calendar turns to the first day of Baisakh. It is a national public holiday celebrated with family gatherings, feasts and outings across the country — and its most spectacular expression is the chariot festival of Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur. It is one of the easiest festivals for spring visitors to catch, and a highlight of our Nepal festivals and events cluster.
What Nepali New Year marks
Nepal's official calendar is the Bikram Sambat (BS), a solar calendar running roughly 56–57 years ahead of the Gregorian one. Its year begins in mid-April with the month of Baisakh, so the new year arrives in spring rather than in January. The day is about renewal, family and community — Nepalis exchange good wishes ("Naya Barsha ko Shubhakamana"), gather for feasts and head out for picnics and short trips.
When it falls
Because Bikram Sambat is a solar calendar, Nepali New Year is fairly stable, landing on 13 or 14 April most years. That makes it one of the more predictable festivals to plan around — see the festival calendar of Nepal and our best time to visit Nepal guide.
Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur
The grandest public celebration of the new year is Bisket Jatra in the medieval city of Bhaktapur. A towering chariot carrying the deity Bhairava is hauled through the streets in a fierce tug-of-war between the upper and lower halves of the town, and a tall ceremonial pole (lingo) is raised and later pulled down to mark the turn of the year. It is one of the most dramatic and physical festivals in the Kathmandu Valley.
What travellers will see
Across Nepal you will find a relaxed, festive mood: families dressed up, restaurants and picnic spots busy, and cities decorated. In Bhaktapur, expect huge crowds, the swaying chariot, the raising of the pole and an electric, sometimes chaotic atmosphere. Several ethnic communities also keep their own new-year traditions around this time.
Practical tips for visitors
- Plan ahead for Bhaktapur — Bisket Jatra draws big crowds, so arrive early and keep valuables secure.
- Expect closures — as a public holiday, some offices and banks shut, though tourist sites and restaurants stay open.
- Combine festivals — Nepali New Year falls weeks after Maha Shivaratri at Pashupatinath and near Buddha Jayanti, so a spring trip can take in several.
Mid-April is a fine time to visit, with warm valleys, blooming hills and a string of celebrations that make Nepali New Year an ideal anchor for a spring itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
When is Nepali New Year celebrated?+
Nepali New Year, or Naya Barsha, falls around 13–14 April each year, when the Bikram Sambat (BS) calendar turns to the first day of the month of Baisakh. It is a public holiday across Nepal.
What is the Bikram Sambat calendar?+
Bikram Sambat is Nepal's official solar calendar, running roughly 56–57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Its new year begins in mid-April with the month of Baisakh, which is why Nepali New Year falls then rather than in January.
How is Nepali New Year celebrated?+
Nepalis mark Naya Barsha with family gatherings, feasts, picnics and outings. The most spectacular public celebration is Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, a chariot festival with tug-of-war between neighbourhoods and the raising of a tall ceremonial pole.
Is Losar the same as Nepali New Year?+
No. Losar is the Tibetan and Sherpa new year, usually in February, following the Tibetan lunar calendar. Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat) is the national new year in mid-April. Several communities in Nepal also keep their own new-year dates.
