SHOPPING IN NEPAL

The handicraft of Nepal are popular throughout the World for their superior quality, splendid workmanship and artistic excellence.

The receptivity and creativity of any given culture manifests itself through an assortment of expressions in the form of art, craft, painting, belief, ritual, dance, and household items. Handicrafts not only carry finest sensibility and artistic expression but also cultural conscience about the historical and religious significance of the place.

It may be out of sheer love for the culture and lifestyle of an alien social milieu, or out of pride to mark the occasion of having visited a particular place, or simply to keep the lame of reminiscence burning, souvenirs retained as memento play a crucial role in the travel habit of people round the world.

PASHMINA:
Pashmina are made from the inner fur of the HImalayan lambs and are popular for their softness of touch and natural color. Pashmina fabrics like Shawls, mufflers, sweater caps and winter wears are fashionable worldwide. It is more soft and warmer then the synthetic mixed and artificially colored fabrics. Among other places, the best places to buy Pashmina items are New Road, Indrachowk and Thamel in Kathmandu.

PAUBHA/ THANKA:
Paubha also known as Thanka are sacred scroll painting depicting deities, icons and myths of Buddhist scriptures and conmology. The painting is executed in cotton scrolls, canvas or silk using gold, silver and stone pigment to create lustrous effect. The scroll art work is time-consuming and hence it takes two to six months to complete the painting work. Although they are available in most tourist hubs, the best places to buy these are Boudha in Kathmandu and Ekantakuna in Lalitpur.

MITHILA PAINTING:
Mithila paintings are bright colorful artwork with Maithali culture themes and motifs from the Terai reion of Nepal. Sita, the ideal wonam and perfect wife of Lord Ram from the popular Hindu epic of Ramayan, is said to have hailed from Mithila. Mithila women have been mostly engaged in the patronage of the Mithila painting largely in Janakpur and the neighboring areas. The painting depicts scenes of domestic rituals with religious offering to god and goddesses to ward off evil. These worldwide popular painting are available in the Janakpur and Dhanusha region of Terai, The seat of the Maithali culture. The painting may also be available at some of the tourist hubs in Kathmandu.

LOKTA PAPER:
Lokta paper is prepared from the bark of particular tree found in the high-altitude hills of Nepal. The soft pulp obtained as a result of boiling, washing, and beating of the wooden fiber is spread in wooden frame and dried in the sun before it is put to use. Business stationery, decorative items like lampshade and wall paper, wrapping paper, carry bags are popular items made of the lokta paper, Authentic official transaction especially in the government section is also done on this paper due to its durable nature. Lokta paper and paper products are available at most tourist hubs like Thamel, New Road and the three Durbar Squares of Kathmandu valley.

HEMP PRODUCTS:
Hemp passport bags, backpacks, shoulder bags, laptop bags, jogi bags, hats, slippers, belts, camera cover, wallets and many more products are all available in hemp made by the local artisans. These products are available in Thamel, Heritage sites of Kathmandu valley and in Lakeside areas of Pokhara.

CERAMICS:
Pottery is made usually from black clay both as sun-baked terracotta and glazed earthenware in furnace for attractive color and durability. Items of household needs like water jar, animal figure, deities and coin-container are also made of clay. Pottery and Nepali earthenware are found in different parts of the Kathmandu valley. Although there are quite a few places to buy ceramic ware in Kathmandu, it is recommended that you pay a visit to the pottery centers in Bhaktapur and Thimi to observe the traditional ways of working on the wheel, for original designs, and for authentic buys.

LEATHER ACCESSORIES:
Accessories made from goat skin and water buffalo leather are quite popular. They are comfortable to wear, affordable in price and easy to pack. Shoes, belts, jackets and wallets made of leather are worth buying and are available in Thamel and New Road areas of Kathmandu.

KHUKURI:
Khukuris are curved knives used by the Gurkhas. The authentic Khukuri is made by the tradional ironsmith and represents the legendary valor of the brave Gurkhas. There are several places to buy Khukuri in Kathmandu especially at the popular tourist hub of Thamel. Khukuris from Bhojpur in the eastern part of Nepal are considered the most authentic among the different kinds.

TEA:
Ilam the hilly district of eastern Nepal produces world famous tea. The tea is wrapped in small pounch and packets and very suitable for providing as gifts. Packaged tea from different tea gardens in the country as well as international brands retaining the original flavor and aroma are available everywhere in Kathmandu or Pokhara. For a taste of fresh tea directly from the tea gardens, however, a visit to the tea gardens in the eastern part of the country is recommended.

SPICES:
Nutmeg, ginger, saffron, mace, anise, fenugreek, black pepper, coriander seeds and other aromas are very popular flavor. Spices are essential part of the Nepal cooking and are availablealmost everywhere in Kathmandu and elsewhere. For variety and choice, however, a visit to the ancient alleys of Asan is highly recommended.

GARMENTS AND KNITWEARS:
Garments like jackets, trouser, caps and embroidered T-shirt are very popular among shoppers. Similarly articles such as, pullovers, sweaters, mufflers, socks, legwarmers, bags, hats, are equally fashionable. These items are available in Thamel and heritage sites of Kathmandu valley and the tourist hubs in Pokhara.

DHACA:
Nepal is also popular for Dhaca cloth from which traditional Nepali clothes like Daura Suruwal and Dhaca topi (Nepali caps) are made. The fabric of Dhaca made in Palpa district of Nepal is considered the best. The fabric is also available in Asan, Janabahal, Indrachowk areas and other cloth outlets in Kathmandu.

FABRICS:
Fabrics of the finest kinds like chiffon, silk geogette, silk satin, and other similar fabrics made of rayon, polyester or mixed are available in various colors, shades and with different kinds of prints. Sarees, the traditional wear of the Nepali women are also available in most places, Fine quality fabrics can be bought in Putalisadak, New Road and leading departmental stores and shopping malls in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

WOOLEN CARPETS:
Carpet weaving started as a household occupation in the mountains on Nepal from the 1960's. Hand knotted carpets are available in Nepali and Tibetan themes with both sizes and knots. Nepali carpets are very popular in Europe and America. These bright colored floor decoratives and wall hanging can be purchased in special carpets stores in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

ROOT ART:
Figures of animals, reptiles made from the root of trees are gaining popularity in Nepal. These can be purchased in Thamel, the popular tourist hub of Kathmandu.

SHALIGRAM (HOLY ROCKS):
Shaligram is fossil rock found on the banks of River Kaligandaki of Central Nepal. These fossil rocks have Chakra(disk like formations) made by a river worm called Vajra-Keeta which takes shelter in Shaligram. As per Hindu mythology, these fossil rocks are believed to be the manifestation of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver of the world. It is believed that worshipping Shaligram, chanting Shaligram mantra and washing the holy fossil will protect us from evil and bring material reward and spiritual prosperity. Shaligram is also very popular among Hindus and can be found in premises of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, in Lakeside area of Pokhara and in many Hindu temple premises.

MASKS:
Masks have always been popular among the Hindus of Kathmandu valley and are an important part of the cultural performance in festivals and rituals. Masks of different religious deities are worn by performers during Lakhe dance on Indra Jatra day. Masks of Bhairav (god of terror) and Ganesha (elephant god) and other deities are very popular. Interesting masks are available at most tourist junctures like Thamel and the three Durbar Squares areas of Kathmandu valley.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:
Music plays a therapeutic role in the day to day existence of life surrounded by frequent hardship and occasional social reverly. To express the joys and sorrows of life Nepali people developed their own typical musical instruments like Sarngi (Nepali version of violin) Maadal (drum), Bansuri ( flute), Murchunga, (typical instrument played by mouth) and Panchebaaja ( fusion of five instruments) which are very popular. These musical instruments are available at the tourist hubs of Kathmandu and Lakeside area of Pokhara.

MUSIC:
DVDs, CDs and cassettes that contain music of folk culture, classical and sacred tunes of Nepal could also be a suitable choice for taking back home. Good quality CDs, DVDs and cassettes are available in tourist areas like New Road. Thamel, Kantipath in Kathmandu and in the Lakeside area of Pokhara.

GLASS ORNAMENTS:
Pote (glass beads necklaces) and Chura (glass bangles) are very popular ornaments among Nepalis. They are sopposed to be worn by all married women. The dazzling Pote beads are also used in embroidery. Coming in various beautiful colors and shades, Pote and Chura are popular shopping items for tourists as well. You can buy Pote and Chura in Asan and Indrachowk areas in Kathmandu. These items can be bought in most other areas since these are the essential decorativ ornaments of Nepali women.

JEWELRY AND GEMS:
Necklaces, ring, ear rings and ornaments of gold, silver and semi precious stones are available in fine workmanship and priced stones are available in fineworkmanship and priced less expensively than elsewhere. Ornaments of precious and semi precious in attractive designs and stones like sapphire, aquamarine, amethyst, ruby, garnet and tourmaline are available in superior quality. You may be able to see several shops exhibiting beautiful stone jewelery in Thamel, New Road, Durbar Marg and other tourist hubs of Kathmandu area and Mahendrapul and Lakeside areas of Pokhara.

METAL WARES:
Metal carving is very popular in the Newar community of Kathmandu valley. Carving images of deities and divines and the dexterous chiseling on bronze and copper mould could be one of the finest piece of souvenirs. Beautiful carved replicas of temples and stupas, and decorative items like singing bowl, bell, cymbals, wine jars, cups etc. are made of copper, bronze or brass and are popular for their aesthetic values, functional use and religious purposes. Metal craft in household items like jar, plates, bowls, spoons, ladles,hanging oil lamps, flower vase are also very popular. Karuwas (tradional water jar usually made of brass and somtimes silver ) which used to be a common way to drink water in the old days is still a popular item in Nepali household and is often used during special occasions.Karuwa made in Palpa is considered the most authentic among all. Metal wares and items are found in most tourist areas in the valley, the best place to buy being the metal art work area at the Patan Industrial Estate.

SCULPTURES:
Sculptures of different Hindu and Buddhist deities are very popular among Nepalis as well as tourist. While Nepalis place them in the Puja room to worship, tourist carry them back home to add to their collection of souvenirs. Copper, brass and bronze statues are made by pouring molten metal into baked earthenware which covers wax image in exact size and details of the desired product. After the molten metal cools and hardens, the earthenware is cast away and the statue is intricatelycarved and polished. These items are found in most tourist areas in the valley, however, the best palce to buy the metal sculptues is the Patan Industrial Estate.

WOOD CARVINGS:
The Newars of Kathmandu valley are endowed with the ingenuity of wood carving which constitute items like intricately carved windows, ornate doors, photo frames, jewelry boxes and household items. Peacock window of Dattereya Square in Bhaktapur is the finest example of excellent workmanship of wood carving in ancient Nepal. This legacy has indeed been carried forward through the rose wood, the artisans also make figures of religious deities, door panels, temples, stupas, window frames, tables, lamp stand, photo frames, assorted furniture and kitchenware. The places to look for wood and metal carving are Bhaktapur Durbar Square and other heritage areas of kathmandu valley.

RUDRAKSHA (ROSARY):
Rudraksha are the dark berries of the evergreen Elaeocarpus ganitrus tree. The Sanskrit Rudraksha consists of two words Rudra and Aksha. Rudra is another name of Lord Shiva ans Anksha means eye in Sanskrit. The holy beads of Rudraksha are used to make prayer rosaries and have clefts on the surface known as Mukhis ranging from one face to 21 faces. The Rudraksha rosary is often worn by many Hindus and used during meditation. It is believed that on holding or wearing the Rudraksha rosaries with faith and devotion, a person is able to experience the bliss of Rudra and absolve himself from the stains of earthly sins. These are very popular among Hindus and can be bought in the premises of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, in the lakeside area of Pokhara and in many Hindu temple premises.