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Posted by Jyoti Manandhar | Posted in | Posted on 2:45 AM
Gems and Beads
Nepal does not cultivate artificial gems and with lapidary still in its infancy, much of the gems found in Nepal are cut in India. The gems found in Nepal comprises mainly of semiprecious stones. Out of the five precious stones via, diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald and the opal (in decreasing order of importance) only two of them are found in Nepal via, the ruby and the sapphire. Therefore most of the precious stones are imported from Bangkok, India and other countries. Refractive index measurements of these gems are suggested. The beads locally known as Pote are found in different colours and designs and are inexpensive. Earrings, necklaces or belts are made of these beads but the most common demand remains that of necklace. The necklace if red in colour signifies that the women wearing it are married especially if it carries a gold pendant called tilary with it.
Garments in Nepal
Kathmandu's Garment industry extensively exports products abroad. These clothes are not just cool and attractive but are also inexpensive. Cotton t-shirts with the choice of designs impressed on it are found in plenty. These machine-made or embroidered designs reflect the places, animals or architectural feats of the kingdom. Trousers and other attires of varying shapes, sizes and colour are available. Even a typical Nepalese dress and headdress can be stitched from the available tailors. Chinese silk attires, woolen sweaters, hand-knit yak or sheep wool sweaters could be very interesting items to buy. Wooden masks, singing bowls, prayer wheels, crazy hats, door-knobs, Chaipan, Kaipan, victory flags, mandala calendar, smoking pipes, paper lampshades, Tibetan amulets (prayer box), leather goods, bone and horn products are other souvenir item found in the market.
Thangkas & Statues
Thangkas are religious paintings made on cotton canvas or silk. Buddhist lamas originally used these paintings in ceremonies while addressing the various deities and figures on the canvas. The traditional method of producing Thangka imbibes the mixing of ground stones, resins and jarma, a kind of gum that ensures the durability of colours. Resins are derived from mixing of jarma with boiled leaves. Thangkas made from natural base colours are the ones in demand. They fetch more prices especially the ones done in gold. To make it short, the price of these paintings depends on size, expertise and paint used while creating it. Buddha, Tara (Goddess of peace), Manjushree (God of Wisdom), Bajrashakya (God of forgiveness), Chingreshi (God of Compassion), Mahakal (God of protection) are some of the statues and statuettes that can be largely seen in Nepali curio shops, Price depends on the artiest, quality and the metal used while creating it.
Dhaka Topis
Dhaka and Bhadgaule caps (topis) from an integral part of Nepalese traditional attire. It is one of the most unique items one can find in Nepal. The exact time of its first use is still not known but if we look at the history we find that it was used by the Nepalese of all walks of life since medieval time. It has gained quite a special place among the increasing number of tourists as an item of treasure and memoir. Many expatriates are drawn by its uniqueness and get captivated by its color sequence. They even take it as souvenirs for their friends and family. The Dhaka Topis are mostly made in Terathum, Dharan, Dhankuta, Palpa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Damak, Pokhara and Jhapa district in Nepal.The kind of caps available in the market are mainly Dhaka and Bhadgaule topis. Bhadgaule topis are the ones that are very famous and are made in Bhaktapur. It is black in color. The Dhaka topis on the other hand are in different color and design. Dhaka topi got its name after Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh since the cloth was brought from Dhaka at first. And later weaving was started in Nepal. However, now it is brought into the market from various places in and out of the valley. These topis are mad of cotton threads however, nowadays, we can also find one with silk thread. The business of Dhaka topis has existed since our forefathers ‘time.These topis are easily available in Indrachowk and in other parts of the city. The price for the caps ranges from NRS 20 to 700 and are highly possessed by locals, some even costs up to 3000 NRS but seldom anyone buys them now, so it is not made unless ordered. As for demand of these traditional topis, tourists also come in a huge number to buy them to use themselves or to present it as a gift to others. Kevin who was here from Australia was busy selecting Dhaka topis for his friends back home. He says, “They are one of the various gifts I am taking home with me, they are kind of different and I’m sure that my friends will love it.” An American Jess who bought a gift for her dad and brother said that she wanted to take a very special gift for them which they would really appreciate and keep forever, something that would be unique for them in front of their friends. Majority of the sales happen during the marriage season when most of the family member of Nepali bride and bridegrooms have to put on the traditional topis on the occasion. The sales of these Nepali Dhaka Topis also rises during the Nepali festival of Dashain and Tihar.
Garments in Nepal
Kathmandu's Garment industry extensively exports products abroad. These clothes are not just cool and attractive but are also inexpensive. Cotton t-shirts with the choice of designs impressed on it are found in plenty. These machine-made or embroidered designs reflect the places, animals or architectural feats of the kingdom. Trousers and other attires of varying shapes, sizes and colour are available. Even a typical Nepalese dress and headdress can be stitched from the available tailors. Chinese silk attires, woolen sweaters, hand-knit yak or sheep wool sweaters could be very interesting items to buy. Wooden masks, singing bowls, prayer wheels, crazy hats, door-knobs, Chaipan, Kaipan, victory flags, mandala calendar, smoking pipes, paper lampshades, Tibetan amulets (prayer box), leather goods, bone and horn products are other souvenir item found in the market.
Thangkas & Statues
Thangkas are religious paintings made on cotton canvas or silk. Buddhist lamas originally used these paintings in ceremonies while addressing the various deities and figures on the canvas. The traditional method of producing Thangka imbibes the mixing of ground stones, resins and jarma, a kind of gum that ensures the durability of colours. Resins are derived from mixing of jarma with boiled leaves. Thangkas made from natural base colours are the ones in demand. They fetch more prices especially the ones done in gold. To make it short, the price of these paintings depends on size, expertise and paint used while creating it. Buddha, Tara (Goddess of peace), Manjushree (God of Wisdom), Bajrashakya (God of forgiveness), Chingreshi (God of Compassion), Mahakal (God of protection) are some of the statues and statuettes that can be largely seen in Nepali curio shops, Price depends on the artiest, quality and the metal used while creating it.
Dhaka Topis
Dhaka and Bhadgaule caps (topis) from an integral part of Nepalese traditional attire. It is one of the most unique items one can find in Nepal. The exact time of its first use is still not known but if we look at the history we find that it was used by the Nepalese of all walks of life since medieval time. It has gained quite a special place among the increasing number of tourists as an item of treasure and memoir. Many expatriates are drawn by its uniqueness and get captivated by its color sequence. They even take it as souvenirs for their friends and family. The Dhaka Topis are mostly made in Terathum, Dharan, Dhankuta, Palpa, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Damak, Pokhara and Jhapa district in Nepal.The kind of caps available in the market are mainly Dhaka and Bhadgaule topis. Bhadgaule topis are the ones that are very famous and are made in Bhaktapur. It is black in color. The Dhaka topis on the other hand are in different color and design. Dhaka topi got its name after Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh since the cloth was brought from Dhaka at first. And later weaving was started in Nepal. However, now it is brought into the market from various places in and out of the valley. These topis are mad of cotton threads however, nowadays, we can also find one with silk thread. The business of Dhaka topis has existed since our forefathers ‘time.These topis are easily available in Indrachowk and in other parts of the city. The price for the caps ranges from NRS 20 to 700 and are highly possessed by locals, some even costs up to 3000 NRS but seldom anyone buys them now, so it is not made unless ordered. As for demand of these traditional topis, tourists also come in a huge number to buy them to use themselves or to present it as a gift to others. Kevin who was here from Australia was busy selecting Dhaka topis for his friends back home. He says, “They are one of the various gifts I am taking home with me, they are kind of different and I’m sure that my friends will love it.” An American Jess who bought a gift for her dad and brother said that she wanted to take a very special gift for them which they would really appreciate and keep forever, something that would be unique for them in front of their friends. Majority of the sales happen during the marriage season when most of the family member of Nepali bride and bridegrooms have to put on the traditional topis on the occasion. The sales of these Nepali Dhaka Topis also rises during the Nepali festival of Dashain and Tihar.
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