Bhaktapur, November 9:

On the eve of Nepal Sambat New Year, Newa Rastriya Mukti Morcha, Bhaktapur took out a cultural rally from Shankhadhar Shakhwa Chowk Thimi. The rally converged into a mass gathering in Bode.

Shakwa is the founder of Nepal Sambat (NS). Legend has it that he was a farmer who relieved hundreds of other farmers of debts by giving away his own money, which he had accumulated bit by bit. NS commemorates the contributions of Shakhwa.

Gyan Ram Shrestha, joint-secretary of the National Luminary Shankhadhar Shakhwa Academy, said the state should give due honour to Shakhwa for his contribution to social, cultural and economic development. “Shakhwa’s contribution should be highlighted in school textbooks,” he said.

Shrestha said they have been demanding the Nepal Sambat be incorporated in the calendar

published by the Department of Information.

He said that the new constitution should recognise the Sambat as Nepal’s original calendar.

The NS was instituted in 778 AD. The first statue of Dhakhwa was installed at the south gate of the Pashupatinath Temple in 1122 NS. The statue at Thimi is the first statue installed by the public.

The Prime Minister, political leaders, members of the civil society and historians are scheduled to attend a programme at Thimi tomorrow to mark the new year under Nepal Sambat — NS 1128.