The legendary skills of Kathmandu Valley artisans have been noted since as early as 600 AD. The renowned traveling Chinese monk Huen Tsang wrote of thev elaborate seven-story tall palace of King Amsuvarma at Deopatan that was ornamented with gems and pearls. In the 13th Century, the Chinese Emperor engaged the services of Arniko and other Newar craftsmen to build and beautify his palaces and temples. To Arniko, he gave the title "The Controller of Imperial Manufacture". This legacy still survives among the descendants of those artisans who, hundreds of years ago, pooled their skills to model the classic cities of Kantipur, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur.
Wood Carving
Nepal's ancient tradition of woodcarving still flourishes among the Newar community. Woodcarvings are not only memorabilia taken by visiting tourists, but also adorn homes of the Nepalese. Hand-carved out of teak, sal, or rosewood, the craftsmen replicate the intricate motifs found on temple struts and pillars. Not a single detail is overlooked while making a replica of a well-known object of art. For example, a replica of the famous Peacock Window of Bhaktapur measuring 5 feet by 7 feet and weighing 125 kilograms can be purchased for Rs. 46,500, equivalent to US$ 677! Hold on! The equally impressive miniaturised version measuring 12 by 20 inches weighs only 1,700 grams and is available for US$ 80.
Less expensive yet functional items include traditional window frame-styled photo frames, lamp stands, mirror stands, jewelry boxes, tables, and a variety of furniture. When buying woodwork, look for an even grain to the wood and check to see that joints are smooth and the edges sanded.
Metal Craft
Statues of religious deities and their heralds are commonly showcased in the curio dealers' windows. Once only adorning the chapel alters of Buddhist devotees and monasteries, these meticulously crafted objects now seem to have caught Western eyes. They certainly do make attractive displays at home. Considering that they are still handcrafted in the same method used at the time the craft originated centuries ago and represent auspicious deities, they are worth the money spent.
Patan is the center for bronze casting using the ancient "lost-wax method". Artisans produce intricate statues with details gilded in gold and silver. Some are filigreed with wires and studded with gemstones. More detailed work means more cost for the buyer.
Then there are the hand-tapped pots, vases and bells used in homes all over Nepal. These are relatively inexpensive and can easily be tucked into your suitcase.
Khukuri
Khukuris, the curved steel knives used by the Gurkha soldiers, are popular souvenirs to take home. An authentic khukuri should have a notch on its blade near the handle. The notch is meant to prevent blood from flowing onto the handle, a necessity for the ancient warriors for whom the khukuri was a battle-sword. Sheathed beside the khukuri in separate compartments of the scabbard are two more tiny knives: one is the karda- used for sharpening the blade, and the other is the chakmak- used for striking a flint to make fire.
Thangka Paintings
Thangkas are religious murals made on canvas and mounted on silk banners. Invariably seen in monastery chapels and Buddhist homes, some thangkas depict images of the Buddha and his various incarnations, while others are tapestries on Buddhist philosophy. Since ancient times, Mahayana Buddhist monks have used thangkas as a part of their ceremonies that appeal to the various deities and teachers portrayed.
Carpets
Kashmir, Tibet and Nepal are all synonymous with carpets and rugs and a large selection from all three countries is available in Kathmandu. The Tibetan Refugee Center manufactures carpets with both traditional Tibetan designs and more contemporary styles. The prices of carpets range from as high as US$ 3,000 for imported Kashmir silk rugs to as little as US$ 30 for locally made woollen carpets with authentic Nepali and Tibetan motifs. Whatever your budget, your purchase will surely increase in value the minute you bring it home. And getting your carpets back home is not difficult, as many of the shops arrange packing and shipment via air.
Handloom
Ethnic designs and motifs are the elements that make indigenous handloom unique. Nepal has around forty major ethnic communities; many of their members in rural areas still wear their native apparel. Modernization in urban areas is gradually diminishing native dress culture, but the arts of handloom are still alive in rural areas of the country.
There are many very interesting designs and patterns to look into. The Newari Jyapu women of the Kathmandu Valley have their own traditionally patterned sarees that they weave themselves: a simple design of two bands of red on a backdrop of solid black. The Dolpopas of the northwestern district of Dolpo are a nomadic people rearing yak and sheep; their womenfolk weave simple rugs that have very appealing color combinations from natural dyes. Then there is the Dhaka-weave, a traditional design from the former principality of Palpa; colorful geometrical patterns flowing in symmetry on cotton cloth. A person with imagination and creativity can very easily transform many of these various material designs into attractive apparel or some other unique products.
Lokta
Traditional handmade paper, once a medium for official records and correspondence only, has now become a popular decoration accessory. Through the ages in Nepal, paper has been made from various barks of plants and grain husks, but among these, the paper of the lokta bark has caught the eyes of imaginative paper handicraft entrepreneurs.
Gems & Jewelry
Kathmandu is the right place to buy gems. Native as well as foreign gems are of good quality and less expensive than in other countries. There are many shops that sell raw gems as well as readymade jewelry. The variety of stones and settings offered are impressive as is the detailed handiwork.
Nepal is renowned for semi-precious gemstones. Sapphire, Aquamarine, Amethyst, Ruby, Garnet, Tourmaline, Amber, Turquoise, Citron and the famous Mountain Corals are among the more common Nepali gems available. They can be bought as individual stones or set in ornaments, and can be serious and worthwhile investment if you know what you are buying. If you are not an experienced buyer, there are first-class jewelers of repute in the city center and in deluxe hotel complexes who can offer you peace of mind as well as some beautiful stones.
Glass Beads
Also in the Indra Chowk area, one can visit the famous pote bazaar. Here, many small shops offer lengths of small glass beads in a rainbow of hues. Although Nepalese women often wear the hunks of beads as is, they are the perfect raw material for creative jewelry makers. Cheap and plentiful, they can be combined with more expensive gems or metals to make beautiful ornaments.
Readymade Garments
Local readymade cotton clothing is entertainingly fashionable and inexpensive. Cotton T-shirts, baggy trousers, colorful shirts, sporty scarves, Nepali and Indian design dresses, and countless other items can be bought at very reasonable prices.
Brocade and other textiles imported from the People's Republic of China come relatively cheaply and are of respectable quality. Chinese silk can be purchased and made into stunning, comfortable attire. Other Chinese textiles to look out for are cotton and velvet- impressive quality at a low price.
Woollen Wear
Another great buy in Kathmandu are the many varieties of woollen clothing. Again, the range and quality is extensive; from woollen shawls with traditional Nepali designs to classic cashmere pullovers all at a fraction of the prices you would pay in Europe or America. Tibetan wool jackets and hand?knit yak or sheep wool sweaters are perfect for the trek or take home as presents.
Pashmina
Pashmina apparel made from the inner fur of mountain goats is also a great bargain in the streets of Kathmandu. Shawls for women and scarves for men, the smooth ultra-soft texture of pashmina wool makes it a very desirable fabric.
Spice
The secret to making a delicious curry lies in the knowledge of blending the right proportion of various spices to make the right masala. Ingredients used to make Fish Masala differ greatly from those for Chicken Masala, and so on. Some of the popular mixtures such as Vegetable Curry Masala, Meat Curry Masala, Chicken Curry Masala and Fish Curry Masala are readily available powdered and packaged.
Incense
Incense sticks are available in many aromatic flavours going from rustic mountain fragrances of juniper and azalea to garden flowers and sandalwood. Light in weight and low in cost, incense stick packets make good, affordable gifts to take back home.
Tea
Tea from the Ilam hills of Eastern Nepal can stand its own against the flavor of Darjeeling Tea. Both Ilam and Darjeeling tea are available around Kathmandu. GFOP (Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe), FOP (Flowery Orange Pekoe), First Flush, Second Flush, and Autumnal Flush. For the best in flavor, we recommend that you go for the Second Flush!
