Nepal Samat (The Nepalese Era)

Nepal is rich in its own culture. Malla period was of great importance for the cultural, social & religious development of Nepala Mandala (the valley). There is now a tendency to consider this period of history as golden age of Nepal. In this very period Kantipur, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur developed incomparable splendor. Nepal's original Era Nepal Samvat was begun by Sankhadhar Sakhwah , in Malla period, when Raghab Dev was ruling in Kantipur and Anand Malla in Bhaktapur. It was started from 20th of October 879 Thursday. It is lunar calendar and it begins with the day of new moon of Kartik (Kachhala). Till now, whatever the festivals the Nepalese people celebrate such as Dashain, Tihar, ChaitE Dasain, Teej, Shivaratri, Gaijatra, Chhath etc. are according to lunar calendar of Nepal era (except very few). Nepal era was official era of Nepal in Malla period and Bikram Era was brought in official use in only in Rana period by Chandra Shamsher.

There are 12 months (and 13 in every three years) according to this calendar. New month stars from the day after new moon day i.e. Paru (Pratipada). From Paru to full moon day it is called 'Tho' then up to new moon day it is called 'Ga'. So a month is divided into 2 parts 'Tho' ad 'Ga' such as Kachhala Tho Kachhalaga Ga and so on.