Souvenir and shopping in Nepal
Nepalese handicrafts: are popular throughout the world for their superior quality, splendid workmanship and artistic excellence. Handicraft not only carries the finest sensibility and artistic expression, but also the cultural conscience about the historical and religious significance of the place. Here are some souvenir goods.
Pashmina: Pashmina is made from the inner fur of the Himalayan lambs and are popular for their softness of touch and natural colour. Pashmina fabrics, like shawls, mufflers, sweaters, caps and winter wears, are fashionable worldwide.
Paubha / Thangka: Paubha Art also known as Thangka is sacred scroll paintings depicting a deity, icons and myths of Buddhist scriptures and cosmology. The painting depicts cotton scrolls, canvas or silk using gold, silver and stone pigment to create a lustrous effect.
Mithila Painting: Mithila paintings are bright, colourful artwork with Maithili culture themes and motifs from the Terai region of Nepal.
Lokta Paper: Lokta paper is prepared from the bark of a particular tree found in the high altitude areas of Nepal. The soft pulp obtained as a result of boiling, washing and beating of the wood fibre is spread on a wooden frame and dried in the sun before it is ready to use. Business stationery, decorative items like lampshades and wallpaper, and carry bags are popular items made from Lokta paper.
Hemp Products: various products like passport bags, backpacks, shoulder bags, laptop bags, hats, slippers, belts, camera cover, and wallets among others are made up of hemp and is made by local artisans.
Ceramics / Pottery: Pottery is usually made from black clay and is sun-baked and baked in a furnace for attractive color and durability. Items of household needs like water jar, animal figure, deities and coin-container are made of clay.
Khukuri: Khukuri are curved knives used by the Gorkhas. The authentic Khukuri is made by the traditional ironsmith and represents the legendary valor of the brave Gorkhas.
Garments and Knitwear: Garments like jackets, trousers, caps and embroidered T-shirts are very popular among shoppers. Similarly, articles such as pullovers, sweaters, mufflers, socks, legwarmers, bags, hats are equally fashionable.
Musical Instruments: Music plays a therapeutic role in the day-to-day existence of life surrounded by frequent hardship and occasional social revelry. To express the joy and sorrows of life Nepalpeople developed their own typical musical instruments like Sarangi, Maadal, flute, Murchunga and Panchebaja (collection of five instruments) which are very popular.
Jewelry and gems: Necklaces, rings, ear rings and ornaments of gold, silver, and semi-precious stones are available in fine workmanship and priced less expensive elsewhere. Ornaments in attractive designs and stones like sapphire, aquamarine, amethyst, ruby, garnet, and tourmaline are available in superior quality.
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 pieces of souvenirs.
Sculptures: Sculptures of different Hindus and Buddhist deities are very popular among Nepalese as well as tourists. While Nepalese place them in the Puja room to worship, tourists carry them back home to add to their collection of souvenirs.
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, peacock windows, table lamp, and house items.
Woolen carpets: Carpet weaving started as a household occupation in the mountains of Nepal 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 colours, sizes and knots.
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.
All those items are available in Thamel, New road and three durbar squares of Kathmandu valley.