By Aisha Marilyn Abdulbary-Knotts | Staff Writer
Students, faculty, and staff gathered Monday as the Nepali Student Club hosted a vibrant celebration of the Nepali New Year.
The event displayed Nepali culture that included chatpate, a popular street food consisting of rice, noodles, vegetables, and spices, as well as the sounds of traditional and modern dance music.
Prashant Kakri ’27, president of the Nepali Student Club, explained the cultural significance of the holiday.
“The Nepali New Year, called Nepal Sambat or Bikram Sambat, is not based on the Gregorian calendar, but it is rather based on our traditional calendar and falls in mid-April,” Kakri said.
This new year falls on the lunar month called “Navavarsha”.
“According to Bikram Sambat, the year is 2082. Back home, the celebrations are made in the company of families, sharing meals, and creating a happy environment all around,” Kakri explained.
The event allowed Nepali students to share a piece of home, while the larger campus community and the greater Lynchburg community were allowed to experience a new culture. Guests and club members danced to Nepali songs and learned about the holiday’s significance. In the spirit of community and cultural exchange, the celebration offered a glimpse into Nepal’s rich traditions.
Navavarsha ko Subhakamana!
नयाँ वर्षको हार्दिक शुभकामना
