Government of Nepal has recently directed Nepal Panchanga Nirnayak Committee to produce panchangas( calendars) for the Vikram's years 2066 and 2067, by excluding the solar month chaitra from 2066, and validating the adhika masa, which occurs in Baishakh of 2067 as a regular lunar month. Chaitra excluded, the Vikram's year 2066 will consist of only eleven months. The logic behind this decision is precession of the equinoxes, due to which the six seasons have moved back by 24 days. According to the sayana system, this retrogression of seasons is theoretically unquestionable although it tends to dishevel astrological canons of interpretation and system of belief. We have no theoretical disagreement with it; neither do we deny that Hindu festivals and ceremonies bear importance only if linked to their respective seasons. However we have considered it urgent to raise some concerns.
First, if the seasons have drifted back by 24 days from their original places, why do we need to move them one month backwards in order for adjustment? Why not just 24 days?
Our first concern is that this is not the right time for the decision. If the precession of the equinoxes were 30 degree, it would be the right time for readjusting the festivals to their respective seasons although such readjustment is required every 2150 years. It would be perfectly rational, in a sense, and would cause little or no confusion if implemented simultaneously in both Nepal and India.
Our second concern is that the decision is bound to shake religious faith of the people in both India and Nepal, which are religiously inseparable. Maha Shivaratri, for example, is a common festival observed by millions of pilgrims from India to Nepal and vice versa. How chaotic it will be if this festival is observed in Nepal one month prior to India! The same is true with Bibaha Panchami, the wedding ceremony between Shree Ram from Ayodhya and Sita awaiting Him in Janakpur. This festival is most popularly celebrated in Janakpurdham. With the decision implemented, when the groom Shree Ram arrives in Janakpur, the wedding will have been over!
These are only a few examples. We assume a number of such discordance and confusion related to common belief, culture and customs. Playing with the deep-rooted faith of people is always disastrous. It must be very sensibly and sensitively handled.
Therefore we strongly object to this decision of Nepal Government, and seriously request that it be postponed for now. If it is to be implemented, it should implemented simultaneously in at least India and Nepal. Considering the far-reaching consequences of the decision, we have formed a protest committee, and declared a set of peaceful protest programs with full involvement of astrological and religious organizations such as South-Asian Astro-Federation Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepal Jyotish Parishad etc.
We would like to request earnestly for support and suggestion from you all, to create pressure on Nepal Government to withdraw this reckless decision- the decision which is too hurried and short-sighted to assess the inevitable upheaval in religious faith of the people.
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