Naya Barsha ko Shubhakamana! 🎉 Nepali New Year 2083 — Baisakh 1 — falls on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. For Nepalis across Australia, it's one of the most meaningful days of the year: a time to connect with culture, celebrate with community, and feel close to home no matter how far you are. Here's your guide to celebrating in style.
What is Nepali New Year?
The Nepali New Year follows the Bikram Sambat (BS) calendar, which is approximately 56 years and 8 months ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Baisakh 1 (the first day of the month of Baisakh) marks the beginning of the new year. In 2026, this falls on April 14 — the same day as Mesh Sankranti, when the sun enters the Aries zodiac sign.
It is celebrated by Nepalis of all backgrounds — regardless of ethnicity, religion, or region. The day is a public holiday in Nepal, filled with family gatherings, temple visits, traditional food, and community festivities.
Celebrating in Australia — What to Do
- →Check your local Nepali community association for New Year events — most cities hold a community gathering around Baisakh 1
- →Visit a Nepali restaurant for a special New Year meal — many restaurants offer dal bhat sets, sel roti, and traditional sweets around this time
- →Cook at home — sel roti, aloo tama, and kheer are classic New Year foods (see recipe ideas below)
- →Video call family in Nepal — with the 5h 45min time difference from Perth (4h 45min from Sydney/Melbourne), plan your call early morning Australian time
- →Share New Year wishes on social media — tag your community and use #NayaBarsha2083
- →Visit your nearest Nepali grocery shop to stock up on ingredients for the celebration
Traditional New Year Foods to Make at Home
No New Year celebration is complete without the right food. Here are the classics to prepare:
- →Sel Roti (सेल रोटी) — the iconic ring-shaped fried bread made from rice flour. Crispy outside, soft inside. Paired with achar or yoghurt
- →Kheer (खीर) — sweet rice pudding with milk, sugar, cardamom, and dry fruits. Offered to deities and shared with family
- →Aloo Tama (आलु तामा) — potato and bamboo shoot curry, a festive staple in Nepali homes
- →Dal Bhat (दाल भात) — the heart of any Nepali meal. Black dal (kalo dal) is especially popular during celebrations
- →Haluwa (हलुवा) — semolina or carrot-based sweet dessert, made as prasad and shared after puja
Tip: Most Nepali grocery shops across Australia stock sel roti mix, rice flour, bamboo shoots (tama), and black dal. Check your local shop early — these sell out quickly in the week before New Year.
Where to Find Ingredients in Australia
All the ingredients you need for a traditional New Year spread are available at Nepali and South Asian grocery shops across Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Look for:
- →Rice flour (for sel roti) — available at any Nepali or Indian grocery shop
- →Canned or fresh bamboo shoots (tama) — check the Asian section
- →Black lentils (kalo dal / urad dal) — staple at Nepali grocery stores
- →Cardamom, ghee, and dry fruits for kheer — widely available
- →Ready-made sel roti mix — some Nepali shops stock this for convenience
Find your nearest Nepali grocery shop
Browse Nepali shops near you →Sending New Year Wishes to Family in Nepal
April 14 is a public holiday in Nepal — shops are closed and families gather at home. Plan your video call in the morning (Australian time) to catch family during the day in Nepal. Useful calling options:
- →WhatsApp or Viber video call — free over Wi-Fi, best quality
- →IMO — popular in Nepal, especially in rural areas
- →Ncell or NTC apps — if family doesn't have reliable internet, some Nepalis use calling cards
- →Check hamrofind.au/how-to for a guide on calling Nepal cheaply from Australia
Naya Barsha 2083 — A Fresh Start
Being away from home during the New Year is never easy. But Australia's Nepali community has grown to nearly 200,000 people — and every city has a vibrant community ready to celebrate together. Whether it's a community event, a meal at a Nepali restaurant, or a home-cooked sel roti with flatmates, Baisakh 1 is a reminder that our culture travels with us. Naya Barsha 2083 ko Hardik Shubhakamana! 🙏🇳🇵