As Nepal’ Newar community enters into a new year Nepal Sambat 1144, various events are being celebrated today across the country.
The Newar community celebrates the Nepal Sambat as the New Year. National luminary Shankhadhar Sakhwa initiated the Nepal Sambat calendar by liberating the Kathmandu Valley residents from debt.
On the occasion, President Ramchandra Paudel, remembering the public welfare and charity work of National Hero Shankhadhar Sakhwa, has stressed that selfless spirit should lead for the advancement and progress of the society.
President Paudel has expressed his wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepali sisters and brothers living in the country and abroad, believing that Nepal Samvat will help to strengthen the national unity by increasing the spirit of mutual harmony, tolerance and brotherhood among all Nepalis.
Festivals and such good traditions are making the Nepali society civilized and tolerant, President Paudel mentioned and stressed on the Nepal Samvat enforced by Sakhwa is the original national Samvat that everyone should follow the charitable work done by Sakhwa to free the farmers and poor citizens from debt in the Kathmandu Valley.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has appealed to Nepalis to lead the journey of prosperity, good governance and development of the nation with cooperation and unity. He made this appeal while issuing a greeting message on Tuesday on the occasion of Nepal Samvat.
“In the developed era of the 21st century, only by establishing the diversity and identity of all races, languages, cultures and communities, national independence and self-respect can be protected while strengthening the internal nationalism of the country” is the message of the Prime Minister.
The contribution of Shankhadhar Shakhwa, the promoter of Nepal Samvatka, is unforgettable as the original Samvat of Nepal.
Prime Minister Dahal said, Shankhadhar Shakhwa was a progressive social activist and the promoter of Nepal Samvat. Born in the Newari community, his contribution to the dignity and originality of the entire country is an inspiration for all of us.’
Likewise, House Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that it is the responsibility of the state and the citizens themselves to revive the original tradition and culture believing that Nepal Samvat will inspire social unity, tolerance and mutual harmony among Nepalis.
“I believe that Nepal Samvat, which is the original Samvat of Nepal, will inspire social unity, tolerance and mutual harmony among Nepalese people.” Congratulating him, he said, “Nepal Samvat is the original national Samvat popular in Nepal. The founder of Nepal Samvat is Shankhadhar Sakhwa. It is believed that this Samvat was started in memory of the day when he paid the debts of the poor people of Nepal and made them debt-free.
The Newar community also performs Mha Puja today itself. Mha Puja is the day of self-worship. Mha means worshiping oneself by considering one’s body to be divine and wishing for good health and long life. Mha: It is a tradition that all the members of the house line up in one place and perform their own puja in the evening. It is said that there is a tradition of worshiping Mha to get the power to save oneself from great divine calamities.
Nepal Samvat is specially celebrated as a new year for the Newar community is not only the Samvat of any particular caste but is the property of all Nepal and Nepali people. It is necessary to establish the Samvat as a historical Samvat from the state and people’s level by expanding it, not narrowing it down. It is the responsibility of the state and the citizens themselves to preserve every original tradition and culture. Deepawali is a time of joy and renewal, celebrated through traditions that include lighting diyas, decorating homes with rangoli, and sharing sweets with family and friends.
