Newar (English: /nəˈwɑːr/; 𑐣𑐾𑐥𑐵𑐮 𑐨𑐵𑐲𑐵, nepāla bhāṣā) is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in Nepal. The language is known officially in Nepal as Nepal Bhasa, a name that has been historically used for the language. The term "Newari" is also used to refer to the language, although the Indic -i suffix is considered inappropriate by some Newar speakers.
The language served as the official language of Nepal during the Malla dynasty since the 14th century till the end of dynasty in 1769 during which the language was referred as "Nepal Bhasa", a term which literally means "Nepalese Language". However, the language is not the same as Nepali, an Indo-Aryan language and the current official language of Nepal, which only got the name Nepali in the 1930s. Literature in Newar is one of the oldest in Nepal, dating back to at least 600 years ago.
The Bhujimol script (or Bhujinmol, Devanagari: भुजिमोल or भुजिंमोल) is the most ancient form of Nepal script. It is also one of the most common varieties of the Nepal alphabet.
Dolakha, often known as Dolkha or Dholkha (Nepal Bhasa:दोलखा जिल्ला)Listen), a part of Bagmati Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Charikot as its district headquarters, covers an area of 2,191 km (846 sq mi) and had a population of 204,229 in 2001 and 186,557 in 2011. Dolkha postal code begins from 45500 and the main headquarters is in Dolkha. The administrative center of this district consists of 11 post offices. It is a district with a strong religious affiliation. It is popularly known amongst most Nepalese for the temple of Dolakha Bhimeshawor.
The name Dolkha arose from Newar Community. In the classical Nepal Bhasa language "Dol" or "Dwāl" means Thousand, and "Khā" means houses which means "The place that has a thousand houses"..
Prachalit, also known as Newa, Newar, Newari, or Nepāla lipi is a type of abugida script developed from the Nepalese scripts, which are a part of the family of Brahmic scripts descended from Brahmi script. It is used to write Nepal Bhasa, Maithili, Sanskrit and Pali. Various publications are still published in this script including the Sikkim Herald the bulletin of the Sikkim government (Newari edition).
Although the construction of the square began in the 3rd century, the major structures within it were added in later periods. The outer complex consists of a number of 16th-century temples built during the reign of the Malla kings. These buildings are adorned with meticulously carved facades characteristic of Newar architecture. The central square is surrounded by palace complexes built during the Malla and Shah periods. The most well known among them is the Nautalle Durbar, a nine-story palace built by Prithvi Narayan Shah to commemorate the Unification of Nepal.
Bhaktapur (Nepali and Sanskrit: भक्तपुर, pronounced[ˈbʱʌkt̪ʌpur]; lit. "City of Devotees"), known locally as Khwopa (Nepal Bhasa: 𑐏𑑂𑐰𑐥𑑅, Khvapa) and historically called Bhadgaon, is a city in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal located about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from the capital city, Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is the smallest city of Nepal as well as the most densely populated. Along with Kathmandu and Lalitpur, Bhaktapur is one of the three main cities of the Kathmandu Valley and is a major Newar settlement of the country. The city is also known for its Newar tradition, cuisine and artisans. Bhaktapur suffered heavy damage in the April 2015 earthquake.
As part of the Kathmandu Valley, it shares its history, culture and language with the other cities of the valley. Although chronicles like the Gopal Raj Vamshavali put the foundation of Bhaktapur in the 12th century, it has been the site of numerous settlements since at least the Licchavi dynasty. The capital place of Kasthamandu was Bhaktapur Nepal during the first half of Malla dynasty from the 12th century to 1482 when Nepal split into three independent kingdoms. The Malla dynasty is considered a golden period for Bhaktapur and even after its division in 1428, Bhaktapur managed to stay as a wealthy and a powerful Newar kingdom, mostly due to its position in the ancient India-Tibet trade route. In 1769, Bhaktapur was attacked and annexed into the expanding Gorkha Kingdom (which later became the Kingdom of Nepal). After its annexation, Bhaktapur remained largely isolated from other parts of Nepal which led to stagnation in the development of its economy and arts and to allowed it to remain as a homogeneous Newar city. Due to being isolated and overlooked by the central government in Kathmandu, its infrastructure and economy deteriorated and the 1934 earthquake further exacerbated the situation. Bhaktapur's economy and infrastructure would only improve from the 1980s, largely due to tourism and aid provided by West Germany as part of the Bhaktapur Development Project.
Kirtipur (Nepali: कीर्तिपुर; Nepal Bhasa: किपू Kipoo) is a Municipality and an ancient city of Nepal. The Newars are the natives of Kipoo (Kirtipur). It is located in the Kathmandu Valley 5 km south-west of the city of Kathmandu. It is one of the five dense municipalities in the valley, the others being Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Madhyapur Thimi. It is one of the most famous and religious places to visit. Many people visit this place not only for its natural environment but also to visit temples. The city was listed as a UNESCO tentative site in 2008.
Ajima (Nepal Bhasa:अजिमा) is a group of goddesses of the Newar pantheon. These goddesses are respected by all sects and castes of Newars, both from Hindu and Buddhist religion. If we look Ajimas from sky, they look like a sword. So, it is said that the Ajimas protect Kathmandu Valley.
A paubhā (Devanagari: पौभा) is a traditional religious painting made by the Newar people of Nepal. Paubhās depict deities, mandalas or monuments, and are used to help the practitioners in meditation. The Tibetan equivalent is known as thangka. The main difference between thangka and paubhā is that thangka is exclusive to Buddhist art, while paubhā is used in both Hindu and Buddhist art traditions by the Newar community.
The traditional painters of paubhās are the Chitrakar caste who are known as Pun (पुं) in Nepal Bhasa.
Nepal Bhasa in the context of Desay Madu Jhya (window)
Desay Maru Jhyā (Nepali: देशय् मरू झ्या) is a traditional wooden window in Kathmandu, which is celebrated for its uniqueness. The name means "window without equal in the country" in Nepal Bhasa. The window is set into the facade of a residential house in central Kathmandu.
Desay Maru Jhyā is a specimen of the woodcarving heritage of the Newar people of Nepal which goes back more than a thousand years. Newar architecture is characterised by artistic windows and doors set into bare brick walls. The intricate carvings mostly depict religious motifs, ritual objects, mythical beasts and birds. The level of design and carving of the Newar window reached its peak in the mid-18th century. They are found on palaces, private residences and sacred houses across Nepal Mandala.