For many Nepali students at Neumann, the New Year celebration is a deeply cultural and spiritual moment.
Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat / Navavarsha) fell on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marking a new year in a calendar about 56-57 years ahead of the Gregorian system.
In a country rich in culture, tradition, and diversity, the holiday reflects the many languages, religions, and communities that shape how it is celebrated across Nepal.
Back in Nepal, the holiday is rooted in family, faith, and community. “For me it’s mostly about family gatherings and starting the year with a positive mindset,” said Ancy Khatiwada, a CIS major.
She described visiting temples with her family, sharing hopes and goals with God, and receiving blessings from elders. “Overall, it’s about reflecting on the past year… and starting fresh with good intentions.”
She also noted Nepal’s cultural diversity, with 124 languages and many different traditions shaping how the New Year is celebrated. Across the country, celebrations often include fairs, music, and traditional foods.
In cities like Bhaktapur, major festivals such as Bisket Jatra mark the New Year with large chariot processions and symbolic rituals, including the raising and pulling down of a ceremonial pole to signal the end of the old year and the start of the new one.
Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Image source: mayarmanorboutiquehotel.com
Krisha Barakoti, a nursing major, shared similar memories. “We wear new clothes, have family gatherings, and spend the day together,” she said.
In her hometown, celebrations often include visiting temples and attending vibrant public festivals known as jatra. “The whole city feels alive,” she said.
In the U.S., however, the experience is quieter and often lonelier. Khatiwada said this year felt like “just a normal day,” filled with classes and assignments.
“I couldn’t attend the family gatherings… I did FaceTime them and told them Happy New Year and that’s all,” said Khatiwada.
Barakoti echoed the emotional distance. “I find myself missing them more during the holidays,” she said.
“Memories of past celebrations keep coming back… there’s definitely a part of me that wants to be there with them.”
For freshman Sanskar Karki, the celebration became a small gathering with friends. “We wished each other a happy new year and went out to get some Nepali food,” he said.
CIS student Sanskar Karki at Neumann University.
According to Karki, in Nepal, the New Year is a national holiday, usually giving schools one day off to celebrate together.
This is something that international students like them can’t experience abroad, where they typically have to attend classes as usual.
Despite the distance, these students continue to hold onto their traditions in smaller ways. Whether through a quick phone call, a shared meal, or a memory, the Nepali New Year remains a powerful reminder of home, even when home feels far away.
