Ministry of Culture has arrived at the decision in view of protests from various quarters against the government´s preparation last year to make 2066 BS an 11-month year. [break]
The FRNTF formed by the erstwhile Maoist-led government last year had recommended the change in the calendar arguing that precession of the equinoxes had moved the seasons 24 days backwards.
Astrologers maintain that at least one day goes backward in every 70 years in terms of tithis i.e. religious dates. Since the current Bikram Sambat that was started by Indian Emperor Vikramaditya who lived 102 BC to 15 AD has not been adjusted so far, the dates (tithis) of religious festivals have been pushed back by 24 days.
Bikram Sambat is 56.7 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. Its first month is Baisakh (mid-April).
Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Moda Raj Dotel said since the ministry has found the recommendation logical , it has decided to initiate public debates in that regard in various parts of the country. “We have decided to hold public discussions to make people aware about the rationale behind the recommendation,” he said.
Secretary Dotel said they plan to hold such discussions in over 25 places across the country after the start of the new Nepali year in April, 2010.
Hari Narayan Malla, who headed the FRNTF, argued that the discrepancy in the longest and shortest day according to Gregorian and Bikram Calendar has necessitated reform in our calendar.
While 21st December and 22nd June is considered the shortest and longest day, respectively, in Gregorian Calendar Bikram calendar takes Shrawan Sankranti (normally July 16) as the longest day and Makar Sankranti (normally January 15) as the shortest day.
“We suggested that a year be shortened by a month as current date is one month ahead in terms of tithis i.e. religious dates,” Malla said, adding, “The reform in Bikram calendar is a must as religious festivals that fall on the exact date according to our astrological science could bear positive result on us.”
Officials at the culture ministry said timely reform in the calendar is a must. The government of India had also reformed its calendar in 1957.
The government´s decision to implement the recommendation of FRNTF has also been lauded by Asian Astrologers´ Congress in Dhaka, saying that this would open the door for other Asian countries to correct oriental calendar to suit the appropriate seasonal changes.
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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