Nepali New Year 2083 in Australia — Celebrate, Eat & Shop

The Nepali New Year — Naya Barsha — marks the start of the Bikram Sambat calendar. In 2026, it falls on 14 April, welcoming the year 2083 BS. For the hundreds of thousands of Nepalis living across Australia, it's one of the biggest celebrations of the year — a time to gather, cook, dress in traditional clothes, and feel a little closer to home.

What is Naya Barsha?

Naya Barsha (नया बर्ष) literally means 'New Year'. It marks Baishakh 1 on the Bikram Sambat calendar — the official calendar of Nepal — and usually falls between April 13–14 each year. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Bikram Sambat is a solar calendar with roots stretching back over 2,000 years. The day is a national public holiday in Nepal, marked by processions, temple visits, festive meals, and the exchange of New Year wishes: "Naya Barsha ko Shubhakamana!" (Happy New Year!)

Events happening around Australia

Nepali community organisations across Australia host New Year celebrations every year. Events typically include cultural performances, live music, traditional dance, food stalls, and games for children. Here's where to look for events near you:

• →Perth — The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) WA and various community groups host annual Naya Barsha events. Check their Facebook pages for 2083 announcements.
• →Melbourne — Melbourne has one of Australia's largest Nepali communities. Events are usually held at community halls or parks, with food stalls and cultural programs.
• →Sydney — Sydney's Nepali community organises events across the city. Watch for Nepa Jatra Sydney (April 26) — a major annual cultural event.
• →Brisbane — Community celebrations and events are usually held in April. Nepa Jatra Brisbane (April 28) is a highlight of the calendar.
• →Adelaide — The Nepali community in Adelaide organises cultural gatherings through local associations. Check Facebook groups for confirmed 2083 events.
• →Tip: The best place to find confirmed event details is always your local Nepali community Facebook group or the NRNA chapter in your state.

Where to eat out for Naya Barsha

Many Nepali restaurants across Australia run special New Year menus or set dinners around April 14. It's worth calling ahead to book — tables fill up fast for the New Year weekend. Here are some great options by city:

• →Perth — Tasty Momo (West Dianella), Himali Gurkha (Applecross), Momo Planet (Victoria Park), Chulo Nepalese (Dianella), and Bhatti (Mount Lawley) are all great options for a New Year meal.
• →Adelaide — Taste of Nepal (Norwood), Namaste Nepalese Restaurant (Parkside), and Khukuri Nepali Restaurant (CBD) are popular choices.
• →Melbourne — Old Durbar (CBD), Gurkhas Nepalese Restaurant (Brunswick), and KTM Groceries (Tarneit) for home cooking supplies.
• →Sydney — Check our Sydney restaurants listing for current options near you.
• →Brisbane — Himalayan Cafe (New Farm) and local Nepali restaurants around the city.

Traditional foods to make at home

If you prefer to celebrate at home, Naya Barsha is the perfect occasion to cook traditional Nepali dishes. Here's what's typically served:

• →Sel roti (सेल रोटी) — The centrepiece of any Nepali New Year table. These sweet, crispy rice-flour ring doughnuts are fried fresh and served with achar or yoghurt. Sel roti mix is available at most Nepali grocery stores.
• →Kheer (खिर) — Creamy rice pudding slow-cooked with full-cream milk, sugar, cardamom and saffron. A symbol of prosperity and sweetness in the new year.
• →Dal bhat tarkari — The everyday staple takes on special meaning on New Year's Day. Many families cook a more elaborate version with multiple vegetable dishes and a meat curry.
• →Buff or chicken momo — No Nepali celebration is complete without momos. Freshly made dumplings with achar are a crowd favourite.
• →Achar — Tomato achar, gundruk ko achar, and radish pickle are traditional accompaniments. Gundruk is often considered a must for New Year meals.
• →Tama ko tarkari (आलु तामा) — A tangy curry of fermented bamboo shoots, potato and black-eyed beans — a distinctly Nepali flavour you won't find elsewhere.

Where to buy ingredients in Australia

Most ingredients for Naya Barsha cooking are stocked at Nepali and South Asian grocery stores across Australia. Stock up at least a week before April 14 — sel roti mix, kheer rice, and dried gundruk tend to run low in the lead-up to New Year.

• →Sel roti mix — Available at Thamel Bazaar (Perth), Mustang Grocery (Perth), and most Nepali stores. Some stores also carry pre-made sel roti.
• →Gundruk — Dried fermented leafy greens. Found in most Nepali grocery stores — look for sealed packets near the spice section.
• →Wai Wai noodles, Nepali spices, Ilam tea — All well-stocked at dedicated Nepali grocery shops.
• →KTM Groceries (Melbourne, online delivery Australia-wide) — Great for ordering hard-to-find Nepali products if you're not near a physical store.