Updated on Monday, October 23, 2006, 00:00 IST

Kathmandu, Oct 23: The Nepal government would take initiatives to adopt 'Nepal Era' as the national calendar replacing 'Bikram Era' used from the period of Indian emperor Vikramaditya.

Nepal era is followed by Newars, the main ethnic group of Kathmandu, who celebrated their 1127th new year here today. It was introduced by Sankhadhar Dakhwa, a Newar reformist who freed the people of Kathmandu valley from their debts and named the calendar 'Nepal Sambat.'

Addressing a massive rally as part of the Newar new year celebrations, Prime Minister G P Koirala assured to take "utmost initiatives" to provide Nepal Sambat the status of national calendar.

He also said the government will soon start preparations to establish academy in the name of Dhakhwa, who began the Nepal Era. The government has declared Dhakhwa as a national hero in 1999.

The Nepal era is observed every year coinciding with the Deepawali festival. A large number of Newars, clad in traditional attire, carried traditional lamp-pot sukundas and marched along the city roads as part of the new year celebrations today.

Nepal currently follows the Bikram Era calendar for official purposes.

Bureau Report