sambat

Sambat, commonly referred to as Nepal Sambat, is a traditional calendar era used in Nepal, particularly within the Newar community. It counts years from an epoch that, in Nepalese tradition, is linked to the historical event of debt relief for the people, dating its origin to approximately the late first millennium CE. The term sambat denotes the year count or era in Nepal’s regional calendars and is used in Nepal Bhasa, the language of the Newars, for dating dates, festivals, and temple inscriptions.

Historically, Sambat has been one of several calendar systems used in Nepal. It coexists with the more widely used Bikram Sambat, which serves as the civil calendar in official contexts. While Bikram Sambat is prevalent in government and daily scheduling, Nepal Sambat remains culturally significant for Newar ritual life, linguistic dating, and community-led celebrations. The era provides an alternative frame for marking historical events and seasonal observances within the Newar cultural sphere.

In modern Nepal, Nepal Sambat has seen renewed attention as a cultural calendar. It is celebrated with its own New Year in many Newar communities and is observed through religious ceremonies, processions, and community gatherings that highlight Newar heritage. The relationship between Nepal Sambat and other calendars reflects Nepal’s linguistic and cultural diversity, with the selection of a calendar often varying by context and community.

See also: Bikram Sambat, Nepal Calendar, Newar.