Unraveling the ancient story of the calendar that defines Nepal — origins, legends, historical evidence, and lasting legacy
Bikram Sambat (BS), also known as Vikram Samvat, is the official calendar of Nepal — a lunisolar system with a history stretching back over 2,000 years. From its legendary founding by Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain to its modern-day status, this calendar has been an unbroken thread in Nepal's cultural and administrative fabric. In this comprehensive guide, we trace the history of Bikram Sambat through ancient inscriptions, royal adoptions, and its unique journey to becoming the heartbeat of Nepali timekeeping.
Whether you're a student of history, a traveler planning festival visits, or simply curious about Nepal's unique calendar, this guide covers everything you need to know.
According to popular tradition, Bikram Sambat was established in 57 BCE by Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain to commemorate his decisive victory over the Sakas (Indo-Scythian invaders).[reference:0] The name "Vikramaditya" means "sun of valor" — fitting for a king credited with liberating the region and bringing peace to his kingdom. The calendar era began on the first day of the month of Baishakh (Baishakh Shukla Pratipada), which still marks the Nepali New Year (Navavarsha) today.
Two variations of the calendar emerged: the Amanta system (month ends on new moon, used in southern India) and the Purnimanta system (month ends on full moon, used in northern India). Both systems coincide for the Shukla Paksha — the bright fortnight when most festivals occur.[reference:1] Nepal follows a solar version of Vikram Samvat for civil purposes, making it distinct from the religious lunar versions used elsewhere.[reference:2]
The origins of Bikram Sambat are not purely legendary — there is tangible historical evidence supporting the existence of a calendar era dating to 57 BCE.
However, scholarly debate continues. Some historians argue that the Vikramaditya who started the era may be a different figure than the legendary king. Historian Ramesh Dhungel notes that "if you go by dates, the two Vikramadityas (both from Ujjain and Chandragupta II) were born long after the era started."[reference:8] The Maurya king Chandragupta II (375–415 CE) also took the title Vikramaditya, leading to further confusion.[reference:9]
What remains undisputed is that a calendar system originating in 57 BCE — now known as Bikram Sambat — has been continuously used for over two millennia, making it one of the oldest living calendar systems in the world.
While Bikram Sambat originated in Ujjain (present-day Madhya Pradesh, India), its adoption in Nepal was a gradual process spanning centuries. Below is a timeline of how BS became Nepal's official calendar.
Several factors contributed to Bikram Sambat becoming Nepal's official calendar:
For deeper insights, explore our dedicated article: Why Nepal Uses Bikram Sambat →
Nepal has historically used multiple calendar systems, but two stand out: Bikram Sambat and Nepal Sambat. Understanding their differences is key to grasping Nepal's calendar history.
| Feature | Bikram Sambat (BS) | Nepal Sambat (NS) |
|---|---|---|
| Epoch | 57 BCE | 879 CE |
| Founder | Emperor Vikramaditya (legendary) | Sankhadhar Sakhwa (semi-legendary merchant) |
| Calendar type | Lunisolar (solar tropical in Nepal) | Lunisolar (lunar-based) |
| Days per year | ~365 days (with intercalary months) | 354 days in common year |
| Official status | Primary official calendar (since 1901) | Recognized national calendar (since 2007) |
| Primary users | All Nepali people (government, festivals, daily life) | Newar community, cultural festivals |
While Bikram Sambat remains the workhorse for official purposes, Nepal Sambat holds deep cultural significance, especially among the Newar people, and is proudly celebrated as a national heritage.
One of the most common questions about this calendar is who created Bikram Sambat. As we've seen, the traditional answer is Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain. But what do we really know about this legendary figure?
Vikramaditya is described as a medieval king featured in ancient Indian literature, including the famous Vetala Panchavimshati (Vikram and Betal) and Singhasan Battisi.[reference:19] According to popular tradition, he began the Vikram Samvat era in 57 BCE after defeating the Shakas.[reference:20] The title "Vikramaditya" was also adopted by several monarchs in ancient and medieval India, leading to some confusion about his exact identity.[reference:21]
In Nepal, there are local legends connecting Vikramaditya to the Kathmandu Valley. One story tells of a warrior named Vikram Sen who served King Dharmadev in Sankhu and later returned to Ujjain to rule as Vikramaditya.[reference:22] While these tales add to the mystique, the historical reality is that the calendar's origins remain shrouded in mystery to this day.
Read our detailed exploration: Who Created Bikram Sambat? →
Far from being a relic of the past, Bikram Sambat is a living, evolving calendar. In today's digital Nepal, BS is everywhere:
The relationship between Bikram Sambat and the Gregorian calendar is simple: BS is approximately 56.7 years ahead of AD. For example, BS 2082 corresponds to AD 2025–2026. This constant offset makes conversion straightforward but requires precise algorithms to account for the lunisolar variations.
Understanding the history of Bikram Sambat is fascinating, but practical conversion between BS and AD is essential for travelers, researchers, and the Nepali diaspora. Our free BS to AD Converter provides instant, accurate results based on official Nepali calendar algorithms — handling all lunisolar complexities including Adhik Maas.
Bikram Sambat began in 57 BCE, established by Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain.[reference:23]
Yes, Bikram Sambat (57 BCE) is approximately 57 years older than the Gregorian calendar, which began in 1 CE (or 1 AD).
"Vikram Samvat" is the Sanskrit name, while "Bikram Sambat" is the Nepali pronunciation. Both refer to the same calendar system named after Emperor Vikramaditya.
Yes, there are inscriptions using the Vikram Samvat calendar from the 1st century CE, though they do not use the name "Vikram Samvat" — they refer to the era as "Krita" or "Malava."[reference:24]
Bikram Sambat is a rich subject with many fascinating dimensions. Explore our complete collection of guides to deepen your understanding:
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