| Date | Ashadh 29 (July 13) |
| Duration | One-day national celebration |
| Observance | National (Nepal) |
| Celebrated in | Nepal and Nepali communities worldwide |
| Observing Communities | All Nepali people, especially literary scholars, students, and cultural communities |
| Type of Event | National Literary and Cultural Celebration |
| Purpose of Event | To celebrate the birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, Nepal's first great poet, whose Nepali translation of the Ramayana democratized literature and gave every Nepali the gift of their cultural and spiritual heritage in their own language. |
| Holiday Status | Public holiday in Nepal |
| First Observed in | Since 1904 BS (officially recognized in modern Nepal) |
Quick Fact: Bhanu Bhakta Acharya (1814–1868) is honored with the title "Adikavi" (First Poet) of the Nepali language. Before his translation of the Ramayana into Nepali, common people had no access to Sanskrit religious literature. His Nepali Ramayana (Bhanubhaktako Ramayan) made the sacred epic accessible to millions of Nepali speakers across the Himalayas for the very first time, transforming both literature and culture.
Bhanu Jayanti is the national celebration of the birth anniversary of Adikavi (First Poet) Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, the father of modern Nepali literature. Observed on Ashadh 29 of the Nepali calendar (July 13), this day holds a special place in Nepal's cultural and literary heritage as a celebration of the man who first brought the richness of Sanskrit scriptural tradition to the Nepali-speaking people through the power of their own language.
Bhanu Bhakta Acharya (1814–1868 CE, BS 1871–1925) was born in Ramgha village in the Tanahu district of Nepal. Inspired by a humble grass-cutter who wished to do something lasting for his community, Bhanu Bhakta devoted his life to translating the Valmiki Ramayana into the Nepali language. His translation, known as Bhanubhaktako Ramayan—is widely considered the first great literary work in the Nepali language and remains beloved by millions. The literary critic and poet Motiram Bhatta gave Bhanu Bhakta the title "Adikavi" (First Poet) in recognition of his pioneering role in establishing Nepali as a literary language. Before Bhanu Bhakta's work, Nepali (then called Khas Kura or Gorkhali) had limited literary tradition, and sacred texts were accessible only in Sanskrit. His Ramayana translation democratized culture, spirituality, and language for ordinary Nepali people across the hills and mountains of Nepal.
This national celebration is observed to:
Celebrate the birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, father of Nepali literature.
Honor his monumental contribution in making spiritual and cultural literature accessible in the Nepali language.
Promote Nepali language, literature, and cultural identity through literary events and programs.
Inspire younger generations to appreciate and contribute to Nepali literary and cultural heritage.
This day is celebrated through:
Recitation of Bhanu Bhakta's poems, couplets, and passages from his Nepali Ramayana at public events.
Literary programs, seminars, and cultural events held at schools, colleges, and public institutions.
Floral tributes and garland offerings at statues and memorials of Bhanu Bhakta across Nepal.
Essay competitions, poetry readings, and literary contests celebrating Nepali language and literature.
National broadcasting of programs, cultural performances, and commemorative events honoring the Adikavi.
This national celebration is significant because:
It honors the founding father of Nepali literature and the man who gave the language its first great literary work.
It celebrates the democratization of culture and spirituality through the power of vernacular language.
It reinforces national pride in Nepali language, cultural identity, and literary heritage.
It motivates new generations of writers, poets, and scholars to contribute to Nepali literature.
It is a public holiday that brings together all Nepali people in celebration of their shared cultural identity.
Bhanu Jayanti is Nepal's celebration of the transformative power of language and literature. By bringing the Ramayana's wisdom to ordinary Nepali people in their own tongue, Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya did far more than translate a text, he gave a people their voice, their pride, and a shared cultural inheritance that continues to unite and inspire Nepalis across the world.