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Nepali Calendar Months

The Nepali calendar (Bikram Sambat) consists of twelve unique months, each with distinct cultural significance, festivals, and seasonal characteristics.

1

Baisakh (बैशाख)

Mid-April to Mid-May
Days 31/32
Season Spring/Early Summer
Temperature 20-35°C

Significance

Marks the beginning of the Nepali New Year. Time of new beginnings and harvest celebrations.

Key Activities

  • Wheat harvesting
  • Preparation for rice planting
  • New Year celebrations
2

Jestha (जेठ)

Mid-May to Mid-June
Days 31/32
Season Summer
Temperature 25-38°C

Significance

Known for intense heat and pre-monsoon preparations. Crucial for agricultural planning.

Key Activities

  • Field preparation for monsoon crops
  • Traditional water source cleaning
  • Pre-monsoon preparations
3

Ashadh (असार)

Mid-June to Mid-July
Days 31/32
Season Monsoon Beginning
Temperature 23-35°C

Significance

Month of rice planting and beginning of monsoon season. Start of main farming season.

Key Activities

  • Rice planting
  • Monsoon preparations
  • Traditional mud festivals
4

Shrawan (श्रावण)

Mid-July to Mid-August
Days 31/32
Season Peak Monsoon
Temperature 22-32°C

Significance

Peak monsoon month with lush greenery. Auspicious time for spiritual practices.

Key Activities

  • Rice field maintenance
  • Green vegetable farming
  • Traditional rope swinging
5

Bhadra (भदौ)

Mid-August to Mid-September
Days 31/32
Season Late Monsoon
Temperature 21-31°C

Significance

Transition from monsoon to autumn. Important for crop growth and harvest prep.

Key Activities

  • Crop monitoring
  • Early harvest preparations
  • Teej festival
6

Ashwin (असोज)

Mid-September to Mid-October
Days 31
Season Early Autumn
Temperature 18-30°C

Significance

Harvest season with clear skies. Time of abundance and Dashain celebration.

Key Activities

  • Rice harvesting
  • Dashain festival
  • Post-monsoon maintenance
7

Kartik (कार्तिक)

Mid-October to Mid-November
Days 30/31
Season Late Autumn
Temperature 15-28°C

Significance

End of harvest season. Time of Tihar (Festival of Lights) and thanksgiving.

Key Activities

  • Post-harvest processing
  • Tihar celebrations
  • Winter crop planting
8

Mangsir (मंसिर)

Mid-November to Mid-December
Days 30
Season Early Winter
Temperature 10-25°C

Significance

Onset of winter with decreasing temperatures. Time for winter preparations.

Key Activities

  • Winter vegetable planting
  • Grain storage
  • Traditional wool processing
9

Poush (पुष)

Mid-December to Mid-January
Days 30
Season Peak Winter
Temperature 5-20°C

Significance

Coldest month of the year. Focus on warmth and community gatherings.

Key Activities

  • Winter crop maintenance
  • Traditional food preservation
  • Indoor activities
10

Magh (माघ)

Mid-January to Mid-February
Days 29/30
Season Late Winter
Temperature 6-22°C

Significance

Gradual transition from winter to spring. Maghe Sankranti celebrations.

Key Activities

  • Winter crop harvesting
  • Spring preparation
  • Maghe Sankranti
11

Falgun (फाल्गुन)

Mid-February to Mid-March
Days 29/30
Season Early Spring
Temperature 10-25°C

Significance

First signs of spring with blooming flowers. Holi celebrations.

Key Activities

  • Spring crop planting
  • Orchard maintenance
  • Holi festival
12

Chaitra (चैत)

Mid-March to Mid-April
Days 30/31
Season Spring
Temperature 15-30°C

Significance

Last month of Nepali calendar year. Time of completion and new year prep.

Key Activities

  • Spring harvest
  • New year preparations
  • Field preparation