BY DIRGHA RAJ PRASAI This year, Bikram Sambat 2075 starts on Mekh Sankranti on coming Saturday, 14 March 2018. Bikram Sambat is the original glorious Era of Nepal. On this day, from the very beginning of the morning a fabled pair of orchid flower blooms at Salhes Garden in Siraha to welcome the New Year. The orchid is the symbol of undying love. Thousands of people from neighboring districts and Indian villages visit this place to watch the blooming of the pair of flower and celebrate the festival. Naturally, Bikram Sambat is proved as a gift of God. Bikram Sambat starts always on Mekh Sankranti, 1st of Baishk. Bikram Sambat is an ancient and original Era of Nepal in Himavatkhanda. Before Prithvi Narayan Shah, Bikram Sambat was popular in Sen ruled states, Baisi, Chaubisi and also in the Malla dynasty in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Mekh Sankranti, Srawan Sankranti, Makara Sankranti and Siva Ratri are the most remarkable occasions in the Bikram Sambat. Nepal Sambat and Shaka Sambat are based on Tithi (lunar calendar). Since changes in Tithies make difficulties in managing the schedule of governmental works, Chandra Shumsher on the advice of Jyotishies (astrologers) started to write dates maintaining the same day, Tithi and month. There are 365 days in a year in accordance to the Bikram era. The Nepal era and Shaka era count 354 days in a year, as they are in accordance to the Tithis and are therefore impractical. Yogi Narahari Nath, a literary saint, has mentioned that King Bikramaditya as per the Devmala Bansabali had a throne at the place (now there is a Ram Mandir) in Battisputali, Kathmandu. According to the Pashupati Puran, the Bikram era was initiated during the reign of the first king of the sun-worshipping Suryabanshi Lichchavis who ruled Nepal after victory over the Kiratas, known as Dharmapal or Bhoomi Barma or Bikramaditya. A study of Bhasa Bansabali, (Nayanath Paudyal) published by the Department of Archeology, Government of Nepal, reveals that during the regime of King Dharmagat, on the name of the king, a Chatarmukh Narayan or four-mouthed statue of God Narayana, along with a spout, now Narayanhiti, was created towards the south of royal palace and opened for pilgrimage. The Bansabali mentions this was the time when the Bikram era was introduced. The Lichchhavi king declared himself Baishalipati, king of Baishali and with the grace of lord Pashupatinath became king of Kashi as well. Bikram era was introduced when a brave and victorious Suryabanshi king established his capital at Bishalnagar and Battaishputali (Himabatkhand). Just near a temple of Sankhu Bajrayogini there is another temple in which the idol of King Bikramaditya has been kept. It is still being worshipped by Bajracharya priests. It is a myth that King Bikramaditya ruled the Uttarapur state, now: Nala of Kavre district. A Bansabali at Harisiddhi temple established by Lichchhavi dynasty cites Bikram Sambat 711. Harisiddhi upapuran mentions that Harisiddhi drama was demonstrated in Bikram Sambat 945. A Subarna patra (gold plate) of the time of Jayasthiti Malla mentions Bikram Sambat 1448. In Bikram Sambat 1937, researcher Pandit Bhagawan Lal Indraji from Gujarat, India, came to Nepal and searched and studied 23 different inscriptions. He believed that the era practiced by Lichchhavis was Bikram era. Similarly, Prof. Radhagovind Basak of Calcutta University, in History of Northern East part of India, says, “The era of Mandev 386 mentioned in record of Changu is Bikram era. In this way, era starting from 386 to 489 (written in records at Chapali village) is Bikram era.” Historian Shankaraman Rajbansi also believes that era used by Mandev is also Bikram era. The era is traditionally being used in different states of India. Since 2063 BS, Nepal is passing through a critical phase as we have adopted federalism, secularism and republicanism. Such a political structure will not help to make Nepal strong independent and sovereign nation. Sooner or later, we should scrap this political structure. Let's hope, New Year 2075 may bring a new political scenario. To keep intact Nepal’s identity, unity and its stability, Hindu kingdom has to be restored. We extend best wishes to all Nepali for a prosperous and successful life. (Email:dirgharajprasai@gmail.com)