Shopping in Nepal

Travelers prefer to buy Nepalese handicrafts to give away as souvenirs or to keep it themselves. Nepalese handicrafts are popular worldwide due it’s great quality, splendid workmanship and artistic excellence. These handicrafts also have the cultural conscience regarding the historical and religious significance of the region. Shopping at Nepal is a great experience. Some of the particular goods ideal for souvenirs includes:

Pashmina – made from inner furs of the Himalayan lambs which are very soft with very warm to wear. Pashmina products includes shawls, mufflers, sweaters, caps, winter wears.

Thangka paintings – are the sacred scroll paintings portraying deities, icons and myths of the Buddhist scriptures and cosmology. Such paintings are done in cotton scrolls, canvas or silk with the use of gold, silver and stone pigment to create lustrous effects.

Khukuri – also known as Nepali knives are curved in shape, used by the popular Gurkha soldiers. This authentic Khukuri are made by traditional ironsmith and represents the legendary valor of the brave Gorkhas.

Ceramics/Pottery – is usually made from black clay and is sunbaked and baked in furnace for attractive color and durability. Pottery items of household needs like water jar, animal figure, deities and coin-container are made of clay.

Garments and Knitwear – like jackets, trousers, caps and embroidered T-shirt are very popular among travelers in Nepal. Similarly pullovers, sweaters, mufflers, socks, legwarmers, bags, hats are equally fashionable.

Musical Instruments – To express joy and sorrows of life Nepalese have developed their own typical musical instruments like Sarangi, Madal, flute, Murchunga and Panchebaja (collection of five instruments) which are very popular.

Jewelry and Gems – includes necklaces, rings, ear rings and ornaments of gold, silver, and semi precious stones of fine workmanship and priced less expensive than elsewhere. Ornaments in attractive designs and stones include sapphire, aquamarine, amethyst, ruby, garnet, and tourmaline.

Metal Wares – have carving images of deities and divines and the dexterous chiseling on bronze and copper moulded could be one of the finest pieces of souvenirs.

Sculptures– of different Hindus and Buddhist deities are popular among Nepalese and tourists. While Nepalese place them in the worship room, tourists take them back home to add to their collection of souvenirs.

Wood Carvings – The Newar of Kathmandu valley are endowed with the ingenuity of wood carving which constitute items like intricately carved windows, ornate doors, photo frames, jewelry boxes, peacock windows, table lamp, and house items.

Woolen carpets – Carpet weaving started as a household occupation in the mountains from the 1960’s. Hand knotted carpets are available in Nepali and Tibetan themes with both traditional and modern designs in a great variety of colors, sizes and knots.

Masks – have always been popular among the Hindus of Kathmandu valley and are an important part of the cultural performance in festival and rituals.

All those items are available in Thamel, Bouddha, and around New road in Kathmandu, Patan and around Bhaktapur durbar square.