Shopping and souvenir in Nepal

source NTB

Shopping and souvenir

Nepal has many fine handicrafts to offer to visitors: hand-knotted woolen carpets, jewellery, Pashmina shawls, woolen knit wears, embroidery, Thangka paintings, Mithila painting, wood carvings, metal works, ceramics and pottery, rice paper and stationary.

Woodwork:

Wood craft is the speciality  of the Newar artisans of the Kathamandu valley,. Among the items that you may wish to purchase while in Kathamandu are wooden picture frames and windows. These range widely in prices according to the type of wood used, the care that has gone into its making, and the details that have been worked into it. Some artisan are able to produce three windows a day while some take over a month to produce one. However, windows and  frames are not the only items on sale. Statues of gods, erotic carvings, traditional figures, and carvings with modern motifs are also available. The artisans are able to come up with specially designed works of art according to specifications and quality required. The wooden images are made by using tools that were used a thousand years ago.

Metalwork:

The metal work is also exceptional. Statues of high quality are available for prices ranging from a few thousand rupees to gold inlaid life-sized works. The lost wax method is used to create these works of art. The wax figure is covered with clay and put in the sun to dry. Once ready, the wax is melted out and molten metal poured into the clay hollow. When the metal cools down and sets, the clay covering is destroyed and careful work with summer, chisel and sanding material follows. The metal statue is then painted as per the specifications of region or as per the request of the client.

            Gorkha Khukuri are one of a kind knives found only in Nepal. Prices ranges according to the hardness of the blade and the origin of its make, Khukuri made in locations like Chainpur, Bhoupur, and Dhankuta in east are excellent and ornate knives for decor are also available.

Carpets:

Tibetan carpets are popular floor coverings in Europe and much of Nepal's foreign exchange earnings have come from the sale of carpets in the past two decades. The designs are traditional as well as modern. The modern designs have been created by some of the best artists working today in Europe and the product of the better manufactures have graced many a Tibetan rug collection. Today, special effort is being made to break into the American and Japanese markets with special design and quality rugs. Rugs usually come in three knot counts: 100,  80, and 60. Themel shops have many rugs on display, however, if you wish for something special, you may wish to contact the manufacturer directly.

Thangkas and Paubhas:

For hundreds of years, scroll paintings have decorated the walls of monasteries, temples, and homes in East Asia.

            Especially, the Tibetan and Newar style come from a time when these cultures were at their peak. Most of the older surviving scroll paintings are reminders of a period when the ruler and the public were concentrating upon the arts as offerings to the deities  bring back memories of a people who thought every incident displayed the mood of the lords in heaven: earth snowfall, floods, good harvests, and sunshine.

            The value of a thangka or paubha depends upon the finesse with which each detail is executed and the perfect mixing of the colors. The life-force of deities is believed to be brought down by masterfully executed paintings. Since the secret road to their powers is like a mathematical formula, the geometry of the paintings is very important. The prices of thangkas range widely. A pretty but roughly done tourist-product may be obtained for about two dollars while a gold layered masterpiece costs well over 200 dollars.

Gems and Jewelry:

Nepal is the land of Kubera, the little pot-bellied god of wealth who guards his treasure trove of gems, gold and silver beneath the surface of the earth. Nepal has some of the best goldsmiths and silver smiths in the world, i.e. the Newar craftsmen. Who have been delighting collectors and royal patrons with their exquisite creations for more than 600 years. So if you've ever wanted to own the finest jewelry, at a fraction of the cost you'd pay at home. Nepal is the place.

            Nepal's most distinctive gems are the exquisite tourmalines from the eastern ranges, in pink, sunset rose, peach, golden amber and green tourmalines that are found nowhere else, and some with more than one color in a single stone. the newly-discovered lemon-yellow tourmalines are especially fine.

            Visitors should be careful when they buy precious stones because assessing their quality is difficult. Note that real topaz is not mined in the country and yellow citrine is locally called "golden topaz". Tourmaline, Afghanistan lapiz lazuli, aquamarine, sapphire, blue kyanite cabochons, amethysts, and turquoise are some of the gems that are sold in jewelry shops.

            In Nepal, gold and silver jewelry are popular among the local women. The goldsmiths are skilled and can produce rings, necklaces, and bracelets in a short time. Most jewelers inform customers about the quality of their gold and silver.

Mithila Paintings:

The Mithila paintings, known as Madhubani paintings in India and Janakpur  paintings in Nepal, are common practice among the women of southern Nepal. The wind, sun, and rain very easily discolor these wall paintings, but they were not designed to withstand climate and time. The paintings, in fact, are usually painted over with clay when the women house clean for the next festival.

            Efforts have been made since the 1960s to create and sell Mithila paper paintings. On a small grant from the Ella Lyman Cabot Trust in the US, the Janakpur women's Art Project was started to test the possibilities for the women to market their art work. The Art Project provided funding for tools and a space for the women to work, thereby enhancing the women's lives and saving the unique tradition. Paintings on paper, the Mithila women aritists are now going beyond the traditional motifs and designs to include scenes of everyday life. Women generally do not leave their villages, and are kept fully occupied with traditional house chores. However, new support for their art and appreciation for their talents is altering the fabric of their life in the village by bringing in new income to enrich them all, husbands and wives alike.

Handwoven Cloth:

Many weavers in the Valley produce hand-woven cotton cloth of many colors and patterns. Visitors will find beautifully designed clothing and fabrics in Kathamandu's shops. The magars of western Nepal also weave fabrics for readymade garments. Tussar which is the best Neplease silk is not shiny but has a natural glow. It is made from and undomesticated forest worm found in the southern jungle regions. The Newars of the Kathamandu valley and the Rai people of eastern Nepal have passed on the tradition of making block printed paper and cloth to modern producers.

Paper Product:

Traditional Neplease pape, popularly known as  "rice paper" is actually made of lokta bark found in remote areas of the country. Because of its strength, government offices use it for official documents. Many stores in Thamel and Patan sell writing pads and bound journals, as well as calendars and lampshades of lokta paper.

Basket:

In the Terai region, baskets used for houshold and decorative purposes are made from grass. The baskets come in different shapes and sizes according to their applications, For example, the baji picha is a basket used for serving beaten rice and the dalcha, a covered basket, is used for storing goods.

            Raw jute, which is one of Nepal's largest exports, is grown in the southern Terai region and made into baskets and other materials. In the past, many Neplease women wore shoes made of jute after child-birth, believing that it would promote cleanliness.

Tea/Coffe

The eastern districts of Nepal, notably llam, are where excellent varieties of Himalayan tea and coffe are grown and produced. Though most of it is exported, shops in Kathmandu and elsewere in Nepal of fer a wide selection of the fine tea, packaged attractively as suitable gifts, and guaranteed as a great brew.

Spices
Asia is an ancient spice stronghold. Therefore, Kathmandu, in the middle of Asia, is no exception. Kathmandu is, in fact, the entrepot of spices-those exotica to flavor curries and other dishes. Nutmeg, ginger, saffron, mace, green anise, fenugreek, peppers, and coriander seeds are just some of the spicy names

Practicalities:

There are government restrictions that visitors  should be aware of before purchasing items to take home. Antiques are not permitted to be taken out of Nepal. An inspection by the Department of Archaeology is required for any exports of antiques. To be on the safe side, visitors should have antique Tibetan carpets . old thangkas, and metal statues examined by the Department of Archaeology. They should then obtain a certificate from the office before leaving Nepal. You can ask for help from travel agents and some of the shop owners. The Department of Archaeology is located in the National Archives Building on Ramshah Path, south of Singha Durbar.