About Bania (Newar caste)

Bania is a Nepalese caste from the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The name Bania is derived from the Sanskrit word vanijya (merchant); by preference, Bania (caste).
Swayambhu stupa and prayer flags

Buddhist communities of Nepal

Newar Buddhism is a form of Vajrayana influenced by Theravada Buddhism and is the oldest known form of the Vajrayana tradition and is significantly older than the Tibetan Buddhism. Many Buddhist groups are also influenced by Hinduism. Among the Tibeto-Burman-speaking peoples, Tibetan Buddhism is the most widely practiced form. Buddhism is the dominant religion of the thinly populated northern areas, which are inhabited by Tibetan-related peoples, namely the Sherpa, Lopa, Manangi, Thakali, Lhomi, Dolpa and .