Watford’s Nepalese Community came together to celebrate New Year. Nepali New Year is a national holiday in Nepal. This holiday marks the first day of Bikram Sambat, the official calendar of Nepal.
The official calendar used in Nepal is the Bikram Sambat or Vikram Samvat calendar, which is 56 years and 8 months ahead of the western calendar. It is a solar calendar and based on ancient Hindu traditions. It gets its name from King Vikramaditya of Ujjain.
Similar to the traditions of any New Year festival, Bikram Sambat is celebrated with parties, family gatherings, the exchange of good wishes and participation in rituals to ensure good fortune for the coming year.
Watford MP Dean Russell was invited to attend a local celebration as the ‘guest of honour.’ The Watford Nepalese Community was established in 2013 with the aim of promoting Nepalese sociocultural activities and expanding social integration with the many other communities found in Watford.
Speaking at the celebrations Dean said that “One of the best things about Watford is its diversity and it was a pleasure to celebrate Nepalese New Year with the local community. I would like to thank them for inviting me, and for putting on such a vibrant and colourful event.”
