The Newar People: Old Inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley, Culture, Festivals and Food

• Population1,341,363 (2021 census), 4.6% of Nepal
• HomelandKathmandu Valley: Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, Thimi
• LanguageNepal Bhasa (Newari), under 3% speak it as a mother tongue
• ReligionHindu and Buddhist, often both together
• World HeritageKathmandu Valley, UNESCO 1979, seven monument zones
• New YearMha Puja, about 10 November 2026 (Nepal Sambat 1147)
• Must-try foodSamay baji, bara, chhoyla, yomari, juju dhau
• Swotah tourBest of Nepal, 12 days, from USD 1,010

Newars are the creators of some of Nepal's most spectacular cultural heritages and are the predominant inhabitants of Kathmandu valley. According to the 2011 census, Newari people made up 5% of the total population and were the sixth most populous ethnic group in Nepal. The 2021 census counted 1,341,363 Newars, about 4.6% of the population, which made them the eighth largest of the 142 groups it recorded. Most live in Bagmati Province, around Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. However, they also exist in smaller numbers throughout the whole country.

If you're visiting Nepal, don't forget to spend some time in a traditional Newari house, wear their traditional dress, indulge in their delicious variety of cuisines, and immerse yourself in their unique language, culture, traditions, rituals, practices, and festivals. You can also dance to the beat of their traditional music for an even more memorable experience.

Where Newars Live: Valley Cities and Trading Towns

Newar people are known for their unique and intricate Durbar squares, temple squares, sacred courtyards, stupas, open-air shrines, dance platforms, sunken water fountains, public rest houses, bazaars, and multistoried houses with elaborately carved windows. These elements are distinct from modern planning and are found in the historical cities of Kathmandu Valley, such as Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Madhyapur Thimi, and Kirtipur. Smaller towns in the valley also have similar artistic heritage.

In addition, Newars have migrated to many other parts of Nepal in the last two centuries, establishing trade centres and settling in places such as Nuwakot, Nala, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Dolakha, Chitlang, and Bhimphedi. They have earned a reputation as jewellery makers and shopkeepers, though today, they have also ventured into modern industry, business, and service sectors. Notable Newar towns outside the valley include Bandipur, Baglung, Silgadhi, and Tansen in the west and Chainpur and Bhojpur in the east.

Newar Castes and Communities

Newars have created an ethnolinguistic society that is distinct from other ethnic groups in Nepal. This society is divided into various groups based on their traditional hereditary occupations. These include ritually pure occupational castes such as Balami (field workers and farmers), Bha/Karanjit (death ritual specialists), Chipa/Ranjitkar (dyers), Duhim/Putwar/Dali (carriers), Gathu/Malakar/Mali (gardeners), Khusa/Tandukar (palanquin bearers/farmers), Kau/Nakarmi (blacksmiths), Nau/Napit (barbers), Pun/Chitrakar (painters), and Sayami/Manandhar (oilpressers).

Other castes include Banra/Bare/Shakya (Buddhist temple priests and goldsmiths), Brahmin, Chathariya (Ksatriya) Sreṣṭha, Malla, Pradhan, Pradhananga, Maskay, Hada, Amatya, Mathema, Joshi (astrologers), Vaidya (Ayurvedic practitioners), Rajbhandari (assistant priests and treasurers), Karmacharya (Tantric priests), Kayastha (scribes), Chyame/Chama, Khala, Dhobi/Jogi (tailors, washermen, musicians), Dyala/Pode (temple cleaners, fishermen, sweepers), Gubhaju/Bajracharya (Buddhist purohits and temple priests), Jyapu (farmers), Suwal, Basukala, Kumha/Prajapati (potters and clay workers), Shilpakar (woodcarvers), Awale (brickmakers), Sapu (talented in music, art, dance, and antiques), Kulu (leather workers), Naye/Khadgi (butchers), Panchthariya Sreṣṭha (Chief Hindu trader and merchant group), Shrestha (administrators and traders), Tamrakar (coppersmiths), Uraya/Udas (Chief Buddhist trader, merchant and artisan group), Tuladhar, Bania (merchants), Kansakar (bronzesmiths), Rajkarnikar (sweetmakers), Sthapit, Kasthakar (architects/carpenters), etc.

Religion: Hindu and Buddhist Side by Side

Most Newars practice both Hinduism and Buddhism. Of the three old cities of the valley, Patan is the most strongly Buddhist, and tradition holds that the four stupas at the edges of the city were built by the Indian emperor Ashoka. Bhaktapur is mainly Hindu, while Kathmandu is a combination of both religions. Both Hindu and Buddhist deities are respected and ceremonies are performed by both religious groups.

Hindus and Buddhists of the Newar community have their own distinct rituals and priests (Rajopadhyaya Brahmins and Vajracharyas, respectively). Two of the most important holy places in the valley are Swayambhunath (Buddhist) and Pashupatinath (Hindu). Various castes pay homage to different goddesses on different occasions. No matter the religion, all rituals begin with the worship of Lord Ganesh at a special shrine known as a Ganesh Than.

Language: Nepal Bhasa

The Newari people of Nepal are a unique ethnic group bound together by their common language, Nepal Bhasa, and culture. The 2011 census counted 846,557 native speakers, about 3.2% of the population. By the 2021 census the share had slipped below 3%, even though the number of Newars kept growing, as more young Newars grow up speaking Nepali at home. Within the Newari community, there are a number of distinct dialects, such as the Dolakha Newar Language, Lalitpur Newar Language, Bhaktapur Newar Language, Banepa Newar Language, and Panauti Newar Language. Most valley dialects are mutually understandable, but Dolakha Newar is so different that speakers from Kathmandu find it hard to follow.

Newars and Nepal Bhasa Speakers, 2001 to 2021

The chart compares the Newar share of Nepal's population with the share who speak Nepal Bhasa as their mother tongue, from the last three censuses. The bars run from 0 to 6%.

Blue bars show the Newar share of the population and gold bars the share who speak Nepal Bhasa as a first language. Source: Nepal censuses 2001, 2011 and 2021 (Central Bureau of Statistics and National Statistics Office).

Traditional Newar Dress

Newar women traditionally adorn a black cotton sari with a red border known as Haku Patasi or Haku Parsi, paired with a Misalan blouse, which is secured with cloth ties, and a shawl called Ga that is draped over the upper body. Men typically wear a long shirt, known as Tapalan, as well as tight-fitting trousers called Suruwa and a waistcoat or coat. This traditional attire is commonly worn during special occasions, official functions and festivals, and is still a daily outfit among the older generation.

Newar Art and Architecture

The art and architecture of Nepal is predominantly credited to the Newars, a community native to the Kathmandu Valley. Their traditional art is mainly religious in nature, such as devotional paubha paintings, sculptures and metal craftsmanship, which have achieved worldwide acclaim for their exquisite beauty. The oldest known dated paubha painting is the Vasudhara Mandala, created in 1365 AD. The influence of Newar art can also be seen in two 15th-century monasteries, Jampa and Thubchen in Lo Manthang, in the former kingdom of Mustang in the Nepal Himalaya, where murals adorn the walls. Other Newar art forms include stone sculpture, wood carving, repousse art and metal statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities created using the lost-wax casting method.

The Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site, listed by UNESCO in 1979, is made up of seven monument zones, and the valley holds about 2,500 temples and shrines that are a testament to the skill and aesthetic sense of Newar artisans. The valley is renowned for its multiple-roofed pagodas. Some writers believe the style spread from here to India, China, Indochina and Japan, though historians still debate this.

The Peacock Window of Bhaktapur and Desay Madu Jhya of Kathmandu are especially renowned for their wood carving. Building elements such as the carved Newar window, roof struts on temples, and the tympanum of temples and shrine houses exhibit traditional creativity and skill. As early as the seventh century, visitors have noted the skill of Newar artists and craftsmen, who have left their influence on the art of Tibet and China. Newars introduced the lost-wax technique into Bhutan, and they were commissioned to paint murals on the walls of monasteries there. Sandpainting of mandalas, made during festivals and death rituals, is another speciality of Newar art. In addition to their traditional religious art, Newar artists have also been at the forefront of introducing Western-style paintings, incorporating elements such as lighting and perspective.

The chief monuments are located in the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, the old royal palace complexes built between the 12th and 18th centuries. Newa architecture includes the pagoda, the stupa, the shikhara and the chaitya. The most famous artisan who influenced stylistic developments in China and Tibet was Arniko (Araniko, 1245 to 1306), a Newar youth in the 13th century AD. He is known for building the White Stupa at the Miaoying Temple in Beijing, completed in 1279.

The Seven Monument Zones of the Kathmandu Valley

UNESCO lists the valley as one World Heritage Site made up of seven monument zones. Most were built or shaped by Newar craftsmen. Fees below are for foreign (non-SAARC) visitors, rounded from recent listings, and they change often, so check at the ticket booth.

Newar Festivals

Newari culture is known for its contributions to culture, art, literature, trade, agriculture, cuisines and more. Newari people are merchants, craftsmen, artists, potters, weavers, dyers, and farmers. Throughout the year, they celebrate numerous festivals and ceremonies with the same enthusiasm and spirit. These include Yomari Punhi, Bisket Jatra, Bhoto Jatra, Gai Jatra, and Sithi Nakha. Additionally, they celebrate Swanti, Sakimila Punhi, Yoma, Ghayh, Swasthani, Sila Chahre, Holi Punhi, Pahan Charhe, Jana Baha Dyah Jatra, Bungdya Jatra, Swanya Punhi, Gathan Mugah, Gunla, Gunhu Punhi, Kuchhi Bhoyey, Pancha Dan Yenya, Mohani, and Mataya. These festivals are tied to Hindu holidays, Buddha’s birth, and the harvest cycle.

Newar Festival Calendar, 2026 to 2027

Newar festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the dates move every year. These are the main ones a visitor can plan around, with dates from the Nepali calendar (patro) and the government holiday list.

Newar Music and Dance

The traditional Newar dance consists of various forms, including the sacred masked dance Nyetamaru Ajima, the religious dance without masks called Dyah Pyakhan, the ritual and meditation practice dance Chachaa Pyakhan, and folk dances. Additionally, there are also masked dance dramas known as Daboo Pyakhan that use music to tell religious stories.

Traditional Newa music encompasses a variety of genres, such as sacred music, devotional songs, folk songs, seasonal songs, and ballads. Notable seasonal songs include Sitala Maju, Silu, Ji Waya La Lachhi Maduni, and Rajamati, which are usually associated with certain seasons and festivals.

Newa music features a variety of percussion instruments, including the Dhimay, Khin, Naykhin, and Dhaa. Wind instruments such as the Bansuri (flute), Payntah (long trumpet) and Mwahali (short trumpet) are also popular, along with cymbals such as the Chhusya, Bhusya and Taa, and gongs. While string instruments are not common, they are still used today. Musical bands accompany religious processions, wherein an idol of a deity is taken around the city in a chariot or portable shrine. These processions typically begin with an overture, which is a form of salutation to the gods. Furthermore, music is played during wedding processions, life-cycle ceremonies, and funeral processions.

Newari Food and Drink

Newari cuisine is one of the most delicious and flavourful in Nepal, and is often said to have more than 200 dishes. It is heavily based on buffalo meat, with dishes for every edible part, including intestine, stomach, and brain.

A traditional meal for any occasion usually includes Khaja Set (samay baji, flattened rice with side dishes). Some of the most popular dishes include Kwati (soup of different beans), Vegetable Curry or Fried Green Vegetables, Kachila (spiced minced meat), Chhoyla (water buffalo meat marinated in spices and grilled), Pukala (fried meat), Wo (lentil cake), Paun Kwa (sour soup), Swan Puka (stuffed lungs), Syen (fried liver), Mye (boiled and fried tongue), Sapu Mhicha (leaf tripe stuffed with bone marrow), Sanya Khuna (jellied fish soup), Juju Dhau (yogurt), Sisabusa (fruits), Mari (sweets), Thwon (rice beer), and Ayla (local alcohol).

Newari people have been farming since ancient times, and this is likely why they have such a wide range of dishes to choose from.

To explore Newari cuisine in more depth, read our guide to traditional Nepali food and drinks, or discover traditional Newari dishes to try before your visit.

Experiencing Newar Culture as a Visitor

The best way to understand Newar culture is to step into it directly. Bhaktapur is the most intact of the three Durbar cities. Its medieval lanes are lined with carvers, potters, and weavers practising crafts passed down for generations. Patan (Lalitpur) is equally extraordinary, with its UNESCO-listed Durbar Square, the outstanding Patan Museum, and hundreds of Buddhist courtyards hidden behind unassuming doorways. In Kathmandu's old city around Indra Chowk and Asan, the commercial heart of Newar trading culture is still very much alive.

Time your visit around a Newar festival for the most immersive experience. Bisket Jatra, at Nepali New Year in mid-April, is the most dramatic, with nine days and eight nights of chariot processions and tug-of-war battles in Bhaktapur, and a tongue-piercing ceremony in nearby Bode that draws thousands. Gai Jatra in August and Indra Jatra in September are equally vivid, and Mha Puja in November is the best time to see Newar New Year rallies. For a broader calendar of what to attend, see our guide to the festivals you should not miss in Nepal and our overview of top attractions in Kathmandu.

A few simple courtesies go a long way. Take your shoes off before entering a shrine or a home, walk clockwise around stupas and temples, and ask before photographing people, priests or rituals. Some Hindu temples, including the main Pashupatinath shrine, are open only to Hindus, so watch from outside.

See Newar Culture With Swotah

Swotah's tours spend real time in the Newar cities rather than rushing through them. Prices are the current From prices per person on group departures.

Swotah can arrange any of them as a private trip, timed around a festival such as Indra Jatra or Bisket Jatra.

Frequently Asked Questions