Udaaya is an indigenous ethnic group that has seen a peak of its own cultural advancement in terms of skills, arts, and social development since the time immemorial to the late 19th century, especially during the period when the Nepal-Tibet trade was at its height. The majority of the traders were overwhelmingly from the Udaaya community and reflected in the fact that Udaayas are known as the Lhasa Merchant.
Hence, Udaaya culture is a vibrant cultural heritage of the Newar people, the indigenous people of Kathmandu in Nepal. They have a unique cultural identity with their own skilled professions, language, religion, arts, architecture, festivals, and cuisine. Newari culture has a long history that dates back to ancient times and has been preserved through generations.
One of the significant aspects of Newari culture is its architecture, which is characterized by intricately carved wooden windows, doors, and beams. The Newar people are known for their skills in woodcarving, and many of their traditional buildings, such as temples, palaces, and residential houses, are adorned with exquisite woodcarvings that depict various deities, animals, and mythological stories.
Udaaya is the Newar Buddhist community (merchant caste) of Kathmandu Valley, consisting of ten groups/sub-casts with separate family names:
Business e.g. scale-holders, settled at Asan and Nyata
Business (Bronze, Brass Metal Worker)
Business (Gold, Silver, Copper Smith)
Business (Carpenter)
Business (Ayurvedic Traders)
Business (Deities Dress Weaver)
Business (Tile Roof Builders and Roof Repairer)
Business (Stone Masons)
Business (Confectioner)
Empowering Voices: How Udaaya Saa Shapes Public Discourse and Awareness
Preserving Heritage: The Pivotal Role of the Udaaya Museum in Cultural Conservation
Shaping Tomorrow: The Crucial Role of Youth in Driving Social and Technological Advancement
Binding Communities: The Integral Role of Traditional Events in Strengthening Cultural Bonds
The Central Role of the Udaaya Samaj in Community Development and Solidarity