NEWARI

 Newari is the language of Newar communities of Nepal. This language is known as Nepal Bhasa having based upon the inscriptions of the olden days when this language used to be the official language of the Kathmandu valley based principalities. This language is spoken in many parts of the country by native Newars who represent four percent of the population of Nepal. There are several dialects based on this language spoken in different places of the country, but the written language is generally understood by all dialect speaking groups. This language has an old tradition and a long recorded history of two millennium as well as rich stock of literature. This language is from Sino-Tibetan or Tibeto-Burman group of languages 

NEWAR

 Newars are old inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley. Though it involves multiple schools of thoughts and concepts regarding origin of Newars or about the original Newars, general concept of a Newar, particularly for a foreigner, is that of a person who posses in many ways somewhat Mongoloid features in their physical construction and language. Others believe that Newars are a mixed society of people who have evolved in close contact with and between two races and cultures namely Indo- Aryans and Mongolians, which is reflected in varying degrees in features and cultures of various ethnic groups of Newars. History of Kathmandu valley reveals that it used to be an abode of great evolution of a civilization of its own kind and originality. The valley Kathmandu was actually known as Nepal in those days. People of all kinds and ethnic groups coming from the north and the south settled down in this valley at various centuries. All of them seem to have emerged into local situations and culture and adopted local language as well. It is, therefore, appropriate to state that Newar is not a particular race or ethnic group, but a nation. But, in the present day context when Kathmandu valley is only a small part of expanded Nepal, Newars represent a small sector of the total population and, therefore, the connotation of the term Newar has accordingly changed. 

Newars are generally traders, educationalists and skilled craftsmen. They play important roles in administrative, cultural, social and political life of the Kingdom of Nepal. Formerly in the initial periods of the history of Kathmandu valley, Newars used to be Buddhists by faith, but later on Hindu religion and culture gradually influenced sections of population and also got converted into Hindus. A mixed society of Hindus and Buddhists evolved together for centuries ruled by a Hindu or a Buddhist king at various periods of time. As a result, Hindus and Buddhists live together peacefully under almost inseparable common cultural heritage. Professional division of people among Newars was initiated by a Malla King named Jayasthiti Malla which still has impact in the economic life of Newars. Priests, Traders, Carpenters, metal workers, sculptors, brick makers, masons, butchers and many other kinds of craftsmen are still holding their hereditary professions. 

Newars are the indigenous peoples of the Kathmandu Valley, they are also found in the neighboring hill settlements as well as in the towns and cities of almost all the districts of Nepal.  They are prominent in business, agriculture and craftsmanship. Their population exceeds 1.3 million and do have their own language, rich literature, culture and so on with a written and recorded history of  2,5000  years.  During those centuries they developed their impeccable culture and arts into a great civilization having survived during the various reigns of the Gopala, Kirat, Licchavi and Malla dynasties. The Shah dynasty finally amalgamated the Newar nation state in their unification drives resulting into a greater and modern Nepal.

NEPAL TIME

 Nepal time is 5 hr.. 45 min. ahead of Greenwich Meantime and 15 min. ahead of Indian Standard time. 

NEPAL SAMBAT

 Nepal Sambat is typically a Nepali era, but not the official one. This is used generally by Newars. In about 880 A.D. one Shankhadhar Sakhwa is believed to have taken away lots of sand from a river on a particular day all of which turned into gold and with it, he paid off all existing debts of people of that time in Nepal. This era is known to have started from that time. 

NEPALI

 Nepali is the official language of Nepal. This language in the mother tongue or the native language of more than 50 per cent of the population, name of the language been different in different places and times. Since this language developed with the passage of time and became more and more acceptable as the link language of Nepal, this language is now popularly known as Nepali or Nepalese language. This language has contributed a lot in national integration and practical communication among diverse communities of Nepal. Other names of this language are Gorkhali, Gurkhali, Khaskura, Parbatiya, Eastern Pahari, and so on. Other important dialects include  Baitadi, Bajhangi, Bajurali, Doteli, Soradi, Achchami and Jumleli.  

NEPALGUNJ

 Headquarter of Banke district of Bheri zone, Nepalgunj is an active town with its various traditional and modern industries. It is also a noted trade centre. 

NEPAL

 The Himalayan Kingdom, Nepal is sandwiched between two giant countries, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India. Situated in between 80th and 88th degrees of east longitude, it is almost rectangular in shape having a length of 500 miles and a breadth varying from 80 to 120 miles. The total area is approximately147,181 sq. kilometers or  56,000 square miles. The population of Nepal is approximately 24 million. 

Generally speaking, the country may be divided into five geo-physically diverse lengthy stripes stretched from east to west. Those stripes may be described as follows: (1) Himal or the Himalayan range- The snow-clad mountain range with their high rising peaks, (2) Zone of long ridges and rugged topography- this zone is consisting of spurs issuing out from the main Himals following the courses and tributaries. (3) Mahabharat Lekh range- this range that runs through the whole length of the country have peaks and valleys varying from 6,000 to 10,000 ft. in altitude. (4) Chure hills and Inner-Terai region- This fourth stripes of Nepal is the outermost zone of mountain areas. This range lying in lower altitude between 2,000 to 4,000 ft. is interrupted by valleys here and there called Bhitri madhesh or Inner Terai. (5) The fifth and southernmost stripe of the Nepalese map is Terai or plain region bordering with India. 

The following General Information on Nepal projects a general overview of the country.

Nepal is sometimes termed paradoxically as one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and spectacularly unique landscapes and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters from the sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from Sub-tropical to the Arctic.

Nepal is the home of  2% of all the flowering plants in the world and 8% of the world’s population of bird species. There are more than 848 species of birds in Nepal. Being the home of 4% of mammals on earth and 11 out of the world’s 15 families of butterflies, more than 500 species of butterflies, 600 indigenous plant families, and 319 species of orchids, Nepal is considered a paradise for the lovers of flora and fauna. It is a great field for bird watchers, a wonderland for florists, and animal lovers, a great platform for all researchers and anthropologists. 

NAWALPARASI

 This is a district in Gandaki which has a population of 555373. Its headquarters is Parasi Bazar.

NAVAGRAHAS

 Navagraha literally means nine planets. The nine planets are however counted as follows:  Surya or the Sun, Chandra or the Moon, Mangal or the Mars, Budha or Mercury, Brihaspati, or the Jupiter, Sukra or the Venus, Sani or the Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. Rahu is considered as a devil or a notorious demon who causes eclipses to the sun and the moon.  Ketu literally means ‘comet’.  Since astrology plays an important role in the life of Nepalese people socially, culturally, and religiously, Navagrahas are frequently mentioned, interpreted, and dealt with in many different ways. Before starting any auspicious actions, pacifying the Navagrha is considered desirable. Navagrahas are often considered as the causes of several problems, diseases, and failures as one or the other graha /planets come on the way to block the way to success. Therefore, there are several rituals to please the graha and pave the way to success. Worshipping grahas for pacifying them is often the part and parcel of the ceremonies and religious rites. 

NATIONAL PARKS

 Nepal is a land of extreme contrasts in climate and geography. It has a unique topography ranging from lowlands with sub-tropical jungles to arctic conditions in the Himalayan highlands. Within a distance of 150 aeronautic kilometers, the land rises from near sea level in the south to over 8,000 meters in the North. All climate zones found on planet Earth may be experienced in Nepal in one or the other place. As a result, a great diversity of plants, birds, and animals are found in Nepal. Here one can see wildlife such as elephants, wild boar, the swamp deer, musk deer, blackbuck, blue bull, the royal Bengal tiger, gharial and crocodiles, and wild buffalo. This area is also rich in birds like babbles, orioles, royals, peacocks and pheasants, floricans, and a multitude of wildfowl. There are five protected areas or National Parks in Nepal namely Koshi Tappu in the east, Parsa in mid-Nepal,  Sukla Phanta, and Dhorpatan in the west, and Shivapuri in the. mid-mountain region. 

The Churia, also known as the. Siwalik range which is the southernmost range of hills is famous for fossil deposits of lost mammals including 10 species of elephants, 6 rhinoceros, hippopotamus, saber-toothed cats, various antelopes, and primates such as the orangutan. Royal Chitwan National Park in the Inner Terai of central Nepal is the first and best-protected area s in the kingdom. where mammals such as the. one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, sloth bear, and the gaur (wild bison) as well as more than 400 species of birds are well protected.

The gorgeous multi-colored pheasant known as Lophophorus (Nepal’s national bird) is found here along with other varieties of endangered birds. Protected areas in this zone include Khapted National Park in the Far-West, Dhorpatan Hunting reserve, Northwest of Pokhara, and Shivapuri Wildlife Sanctuary near  Kathmandu. Higher still, nearer the snowline, are the alpine mountain flanks which are the abodes of snow leopard, blue sheep, and rare species of the wolf, black and brown bears, and lynx.  Langtang, Sagarmatha (Everest). Shey-Phoksundo and Rara National Parks are the protected high altitude areas of Nepal.