The Nepali calendar (Bikram Sambat, or BS) is the official civil and cultural calendar of Nepal. Unlike the Gregorian calendar used internationally, BS is a solar Hindu calendar with months tied to the Sun's zodiac position — making each month slightly different in length, and each year's festival dates shift subtly in the English calendar.
This guide covers the 12 Nepali months with their characteristics, the major festivals and public holidays in 2082-2083 BS, how to read a traditional Patro (Nepali almanac), and why the BS calendar matters even in digital-first Nepal.
Browse the Complete Nepali Calendar — Free
Full Bikram Sambat calendar with festivals, public holidays, and tithi details. Navigate years 2080-2090 BS with AD conversions.
Bikram Sambat — The Basics
The Bikram Sambat calendar begins with the ascension of legendary King Vikramaditya (56 BC). Today's BS year = current AD year + 56 (roughly 57 between January and mid-April).
Key Facts
- Current BS year — 2082 BS (April 2025 - April 2026 AD)
- New Year (Naya Barsha) — Baishakh 1, typically April 13 or 14 AD
- Calendar type — Sidereal solar (zodiac-based)
- Official use — Government of Nepal, schools, banks, courts
- Month length — 29 to 32 days (varies each year)
The 12 Nepali Months
| # | Nepali (Devanagari) | Transliteration | AD Equivalent | Typical Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | बैशाख | Baishakh | Mid-Apr to Mid-May | 30-31 |
| 2 | जेठ | Jestha | Mid-May to Mid-Jun | 31-32 |
| 3 | असार | Ashadh | Mid-Jun to Mid-Jul | 31-32 |
| 4 | श्रावण | Shrawan | Mid-Jul to Mid-Aug | 31-32 |
| 5 | भदौ | Bhadra | Mid-Aug to Mid-Sep | 31-32 |
| 6 | असोज | Ashwin | Mid-Sep to Mid-Oct | 30-31 |
| 7 | कार्तिक | Kartik | Mid-Oct to Mid-Nov | 29-30 |
| 8 | मंसिर | Mangsir | Mid-Nov to Mid-Dec | 29-30 |
| 9 | पुष | Poush | Mid-Dec to Mid-Jan | 29-30 |
| 10 | माघ | Magh | Mid-Jan to Mid-Feb | 29-30 |
| 11 | फागुन | Falgun | Mid-Feb to Mid-Mar | 29-30 |
| 12 | चैत्र | Chaitra | Mid-Mar to Mid-Apr | 30-31 |
Each Nepali month corresponds to the Sun's transit through one zodiac sign. Fast-moving months (Sun in Capricorn/Aquarius) are shorter; slow-moving months (Sun in Gemini/Cancer) are longer.
Major Nepali Festivals and Their Dates
Dashain (Bada Dashain)
Nepal's longest and most important festival — 15 days in Ashwin (September-October). Public holiday for all 10 days of "Ghatasthapana" to "Kojagrat Purnima." In 2025/2082 BS, Dashain falls in late September to mid-October.
Tihar (Deepawali / Yamapanchak)
5-day festival of lights in Kartik (October-November). Includes Kag Tihar, Kukur Tihar, Gai Tihar/Laxmi Puja, Goru Tihar/Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Tika. Public holidays for 3 days.
Nepali New Year (Naya Barsha)
Baishakh 1 — typically April 13 or 14 AD. Public holiday, celebrated with parades, concerts, and feasts.
Holi (Fagu Purnima)
Celebrated on Falgun Purnima (full moon of Falgun, around March in AD). Different regions celebrate on different days — Terai 1 day later than hills.
Teej
Women's festival in Bhadra (August-September). Married women fast for husband's long life; unmarried women fast for good future husband.
Buddha Jayanti
Full moon of Baishakh — birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana of Lord Buddha. Public holiday, especially significant in Lumbini.
Constitution Day
Ashwin 3 (September 20) — anniversary of Nepal's 2015 Constitution. Public holiday.
Democracy Day (Prajatantra Diwas)
Falgun 7 (February 18 or 19) — marks the end of Rana regime in 1951. Public holiday.
Key Public Holidays in 2082-2083 BS
Non-moveable holidays (fixed BS dates)
- Martyr's Day — Magh 16 (January 30)
- Democracy Day — Falgun 7 (February 18-19)
- Nepali New Year — Baishakh 1 (April 13-14)
- Labour Day — Baishakh 18 (May 1)
- Republic Day — Jestha 15 (May 28-29)
- Constitution Day — Ashwin 3 (September 20)
Lunar / movable holidays
- Maha Shivaratri — Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi (usually February)
- Holi (hills / Terai) — Falgun Purnima (February-March)
- Ram Navami — Chaitra Shukla Navami (March-April)
- Buddha Jayanti — Baishakh Purnima (April-May)
- Janai Purnima / Raksha Bandhan — Shrawan Purnima (July-August)
- Gai Jatra — Bhadra Krishna Pratipada (August-September)
- Krishna Janmashtami — Bhadra Krishna Ashtami (August-September)
- Teej — Bhadra Shukla Tritiya (August-September)
- Indra Jatra — Bhadra Shukla Chaturdashi (September)
- Dashain (Vijaya Dashami) — Ashwin Shukla Dashami (October)
- Tihar (Laxmi Puja) — Kartik Krishna Amavasya (October-November)
- Chhath Parva — Kartik Shukla Shashthi (October-November)
How to Read a Traditional Nepali Patro
A Patro (पञ्चाङ्ग) is the traditional Nepali almanac. Each day shows five components (Pancha-anga):
- Tithi — lunar day (1-15 in each paksha). Determines festival dates.
- Vaara — weekday (Aaitabaar, Sombaar, etc.)
- Nakshatra — lunar mansion (1 of 27)
- Yoga — astronomical combination of Sun and Moon positions
- Karana — half of a tithi
Shubh Muhurat (Auspicious Timing)
A Patro highlights auspicious times for starting new ventures, weddings, travel, and pujas. Inauspicious times like Rahukaal and Yamagandakaal are also marked.
Most Nepali Hindu weddings are scheduled in Mangsir, Magh, Baishakh, and Jestha — months considered astrologically auspicious. Check the Patro for exact muhurats.
Where You'll Use the Nepali Calendar
Official / Government
- Citizenship applications and renewals
- Passport applications (dates in BS)
- Tax filings (Nepal fiscal year: Shrawan to Ashadh)
- Property registration and land transfers
- Court dates and legal notices
Education
- SEE / NEB exam schedules
- Academic calendar in Nepali schools
- University admission deadlines
Business
- Fiscal year end planning (Ashadh end = June 30 or so in AD)
- Festival bonuses (Dashain, Tihar bonuses mandatory for employees)
- Wedding business peak (Mangsir, Magh)
Personal
- Festival planning and shopping schedules
- Pujas on auspicious tithis
- Age calculation (often stated in BS)
- Family events following lunar traditions
How to Use the Tool (Step by Step)
- 1
Open the Nepali Calendar
Browse the current BS month or navigate to a specific year and month using the navigation controls.
- 2
Check Today's Date
The current date is highlighted in both BS and AD formats, with the day's tithi and nakshatra shown.
- 3
Find Festivals
Festival dates are color-coded — red for public holidays, orange for major religious festivals, blue for cultural observances.
- 4
Convert to AD
Hover over any date to see the corresponding Gregorian date. Useful for scheduling cross-border meetings or documents.
- 5
Plan Ahead
Browse future months to plan weddings, pujas, travel around festivals, or business activities around fiscal year-end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nepali calendar the same as the Hindu calendar?+−
Related but not identical. Both are Hindu-origin, but BS is the specific Nepali variant (solar, Vikramaditya era). Indian Vikram Samvat uses the same era but follows Purnimanta (month ends on full moon) vs Nepal's Amanta-like practice.
Why does Dashain fall on different AD dates each year?+−
Dashain is based on the lunar tithi (Vijaya Dashami = Ashwin Shukla Dashami), which shifts in the solar calendar. In AD terms, it falls anywhere from late September to late October.
What is the fiscal year in Nepal?+−
Shrawan 1 to Ashadh end — roughly mid-July to mid-July in AD. Nepal Rashtra Bank and all government budgeting follows this. Corporate fiscal year in Nepal = government fiscal year.
How many public holidays does Nepal have?+−
Approximately 35-40 gazetted holidays per year for government offices. Private companies observe about 20-25, depending on sector. Banks follow the government schedule closely.
Does Nepal observe Daylight Saving Time?+−
No. Nepal is on Nepal Standard Time (UTC+5:45) year-round. The unusual 45-minute offset is unique to Nepal — 15 minutes ahead of India and behind China.
How do I convert a Nepali date to English?+−
Use the companion Nepali Date Converter tool. For approximate conversion, subtract 56 years and 8 months from the BS date — but for official use, always use a precise converter that references BS month-length tables.
What is the difference between Bada Dashain and Chaite Dashain?+−
Bada Dashain (the main Dashain) is in Ashwin. Chaite Dashain, celebrated in Chaitra Shukla Ashtami-Navami, is a smaller observance of Durga Navami — mostly in rural areas.
Which Nepali month is best for weddings?+−
Astrologically, Mangsir (November-December) and Magh (January-February) are considered most auspicious. Weddings are generally avoided during Ashadh (due to Harisayan / Chaturmaas) and Poush.
Browse the Complete Nepali Calendar — Free
Full Bikram Sambat calendar with festivals, public holidays, and tithi details. Navigate years 2080-2090 BS with AD conversions.
Open Nepali Calendar ->Related Guides
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