Happy New Year 2081 BS! The Bikram Sambat (Vikrami) calendar, a historical Hindu calendar, holds significance in Nepal and the Indian subcontinent. It incorporates lunar months and solar sidereal years, offering a blend of celestial accuracy and cultural tradition.
Legend has it that the adoption of Bikram Sambat in Nepal dates back to King Jayasthiti Malla’s reign in the 14th century. Impressed by its precision, he embraced it as the official calendar. Subsequently, it became deeply ingrained in Nepal’s cultural and religious fabric, utilized by numerous rulers throughout history.
Bikram Sambat was officially established in Nepal in 1958 BS during Chandra Shumsher’s rule in 1901 CE. The Vikram Samvat era traces back to King Vikramaditya of Ujjain, honoring his victory over the Sakas. Ancient inscriptions show its origins, with the earliest mention of “Vikrama” appearing in 842. The calendar begins with the new moon of Chaitra, called Chaitra Sukhladi, marking the Hindu New Year. To keep lunar months aligned with agricultural and festive seasons, authorities insert an extra month, “adhik maas,” roughly every three years.
Bikram Sambat’s lunar basis holds relevance in agriculture, aiding farmers in determining optimal planting and harvesting times. This contrasts with the Gregorian calendar’s solely solar orientation, which overlooks lunar phases and natural cycles.
In essence, Bikram Sambat endures as a symbol of cultural heritage, embodying the harmony between celestial rhythms and earthly pursuits in South Asia.
