Since Nepal follows the Lunar Calendar system, the Nepali New Year generally falls in the first or second week of April each year, and one may be surprised to know that the Nepali  Calendar is 57 years ahead of the Julian or Georgian Calendar that is used in the world.

In Nepal, the celebration of the New Year is seen as an occasion to wish good health, peace and prosperity, and wish each other for a success in the days to come.

What was, however, even more fascinating about the celebration in Armidale was that it was participated by almost 200 participants including those from the Nepalese Community, local residents, representatives from government and non-government organisations and people from other cultural communities especially from Africa, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Philippines

Following the Nepalese tradition in which elders are given due respect and recognition in any celebrations and events, the Nepalese Community in Armidale was delighted to have the celebration program inaugurated by 90 years old Fey Hibbert.

Fey expressed that she was truly delighted to be a part of this multi-cultural celebration and thanked the Nepalese Community in Armidale for giving her the honour to inaugurate the programme.

Keshav Timalsena, the President of the Nepalese Community in Armidale welcomed all the participants for their gracious presence to make the New Year celebration a success.

“Our aim is to celebrate the Nepali Year, but also to share happiness and joy with other cultural groups and communities because we want to be a part of and contribute to foster multiculturalism in Armidale”, he stated.

The Honourable Member of Parliament of NSW Australia Adam Marshall expressed best wishes to the Nepalese Community for New Year. He noted how delighted he was to be a part of the colourful Celebrations with Nepalese communities in past few years.

Margret O’Connor, the former councillor of Armidale Regional Council, expressed her best wishes to the Nepalese Community and thanked for their contribution to the multi-cultural environment in Armidale. 

Deborah Moore from Armidale High School, Suresh Simpson from Malaysian community also expressed their best wishes for the celebration of the Nepali New Year.

In the program, Dr DB Subedi, the advisor of the Nepalese Community in Armidale, provided with a brief introduction about Nepal’s cultural diversity, which was followed by a short documentary about Nepal.

Dr Rajesh Thapa presented his vote of thanks with the commitment to collaborate together with everyone in future. Deepak Chauhan hosted the program.

Nepali cultural dances and food were the other attraction in the program.

Other cultural groups in Armidale such as the Bhutanese, Indonesian, Filipino and Malaysian, were also an active part of the celebration by sharing their food with the participants of the program.