Newar community in Nepal celebrates New Year

Banging drums, clanging bells and performing impromptu street dances, members of Nepal’s ethnic Newar community rang in the New Year yesterday in colourful style in one of the highpoints of their Diwali celebrations.While celebrations for the Hindu festival of lights in neighbouring India revolve around firecrackers, Nepal’s Hindu Newars mark the occasion - known locally as Tihar - with song and dance performances.The fourth day of Tihar, which fell on October 31 this year, also marks the start of the New Year of the Newars, a culturally-rich ethnic community indigenous to the Kathmandu valley. Crowds clapped and cheered “Nhu Daya Bhintuna” - meaning happy new year - to welcome their year 1137 as hundreds of people paraded along Kathmandu’s temple-studded Basantapur Durbar Square. “I really enjoy this gathering to celebrate our new year together. I try to come every year,” said Nirab Shrestha, 45, who joined the celebrations with his family. “It helps us connect with our culture.”Newars welcome the new year with a unique ritual called “Mha Puja” in the evening, when they pay tribute to themselves, and wish for a year of prosperity and good luck.