Bikram Sambat: The Hindu Calendar with a Rich History and Significance
Read about how the calendar of Bikram Sambat originated, how it started in Nepal, and about its significances.
When we think of calendars, the Gregorian calendar is usually the first one that comes to mind. However, did you know that there are other calendar systems that are just as old and sophisticated? One such system is the official Nepali calendar- the Bikram Sambat calendar, which has a rich history and unique features that make it worth exploring.
Who started the Bikram Sambat calendar? Its history.
The widely believed origin story of Bikram Sambat (or Vikram Sambat) is related to King Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Legend has it that it was established by the King, after defeating the Śakas.
As written in the Jain historical book named “Kalakacharya Kathanaka”, a monk called Kalakacharya’s sister Sarasvati was abducted by the powerful Ujjain king, Gandharvasena. Seeking vengeance, the monk turned to the Śaka ruler King Sahi in Sistan for help. Despite the odds and with the aid of miracles, King Sahi defeated Gandharvasena and captured him. But Gandharvasena was forgiven and he retired to a forest, where he met his demise at the jaws of a tiger. However, his son, Vikramaditya, grew up in the forest and later invaded Ujjain, driving out the Śakas. To commemorate this victory over Sakas, he began the “Vikrama era.”
However, there’s also a different stream of belief about this. Some researchers have pointed out that, despite many archeological studies, no kingdom of King Vikramaditya has yet been found to have existed during the time Bikram Sambat started. Thus, they believe it to be a Sambat which started originally in the Nepalese region by a Nepalese King name Vikramaditya. Other researchers go even further and believe it is not to be associated with any Kings at all. They find deeper meaning and associated it with the Sun. Interestingly, the term ‘Aditya’ in Sanskrit translates to ‘Sun’ in English.
Over the centuries, the Bikram Sambat calendar has been used in various parts of South Asia, particularly in Nepal and some parts of India. It has served as a basis for many cultural and religious festivals, as well as for official purposes in Nepal, where it is the official calendar system.
Since when is Bikram Sambat used in Nepal?
Bikram Sambat is widely used in Nepal as it is recognized as the official calendar of the country. It is used in government and official documents, as well as in cultural and religious festivals. Before the adoption of Bikram Sambat, Nepal used various other calendar systems, such as the Shakya calendar, Nepal Era, and Gupta Era.
According to some legends, the use of Bikram Sambat in Nepal started during the reign of King Jayasthiti Malla in the 14th century. The king was impressed by the accuracy and precision of the calendar system and adopted it as the official calendar of Nepal. Since then, it has been widely used in the country and is an important part of cultural and religious traditions. The use of Bikram Sambat is seen in many places, by many kings, throughout the history of Nepal.
Whereas, the official use of Bikram Sambat was started in Nepal in 1958 BS. It was adopted by Chandra Shumsher during his rule, in 1901 CE.
The first day of the new year is considered a public holiday in Nepal. In addition, Baishakh 1st marks the celebration of the annual carnival, Bisket Jatra, in Bhaktapur. It is worth noting that Nepal Sambat has been recognized as a national calendar alongside Bikram Sambat since 2007. It is celebrated as Vaishaki at the beginning of the Hindu Solar New Year in Punjab, Northern, Eastern, North-eastern, and Central India.
Usage in India
In India, the reformulated Saka Calendar is officially used for administrative purposes, except when determining the dates of traditional festivals. Interestingly, the Hindi version of the preamble of the constitution of India presents the adoption date (26 November 1949) in Vikram Samvat as ‘Margsheersh Shukla Saptami Samvat 2006’. There has been a growing call for the replacement of the Saka calendar with Vikram Samvat as India’s official calendar.
Bikram Sambat is also used in some parts of India, especially in the northern regions. It is primarily used by the Hindu communities to calculate the dates of festivals and events. In addition, it is also used in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
Apart from Nepal and India, Bikram Sambat is also used by some communities in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Importance of Bikram Sambat
One might wonder, what can be the importance of a calendar that’s different from the widely accepted Gregorian calendar? Well, there are several reasons why Bikram Sambat has its own unique advantages and relevance.
First of all, Bikram Sambat is based on the lunar year, which means that it follows the cycles of the moon. This makes it more aligned with natural phenomena and agricultural cycles, which are still relevant in many parts of South Asia. Many farmers in Nepal and India still use the calendar system to determine the best time for planting and harvesting crops. In contrast, the Gregorian calendar is a solar-based system, which does not take into account the cycles of the moon.
Secondly, Bikram Sambat has a rich cultural and religious significance, particularly in Nepal and among the Sikh and Hindu communities. It is deeply embedded in the traditions and practices of these cultures and serves as a basis for many festivals and rituals. In this sense, Bikram Sambat is not just a calendar system, but a way of life and a connection to the past.
A Luni-Solar Calendar
Bikram Sambat is a calendar system that incorporates both the solar and lunar cycles. While it is primarily based on the lunar year, it also takes into account the solar year and astrological calculations to ensure accuracy.
The solar year is the time it takes for the Earth to complete one orbit around the sun, which is approximately 365.24 days. The lunar year, on the other hand, is based on the cycles of the moon and is approximately 354 days long. To reconcile the two, the Bikram Sambat calendar system adds an extra day every few years to keep the lunar and solar years in sync.
In addition, Bikram Sambat also incorporates astrological calculations to determine the dates of religious and cultural festivals. For example, the Nepali New Year, which falls on the first day of the first lunar month, is also determined by astrological calculations based on the position of the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bikram Sambat is a calendar system with a long and rich history, as well as timeless relevance. It offers unique advantages and perspectives that are not found in other calendar systems, particularly the widely used Gregorian calendar. Whether we use it for cultural, religious, or practical purposes, Bikram Sambat reminds us of our connection to nature, to our ancestors, and to the rhythms of life.
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