Top Things To Buy in Nepal

Nepal is a shopping haven and prices are reasonable if can you bargain hard. The usual rule is paying only half or a third the original quoted price. There are many shops selling the almost same thing in one area. So look around few other shops before making a haste decision...

Things can be found in Nepal that is worth buying are Cashmere wool, Tibetan Mandala, Tibetan Tangka or Thangka (religious paintings drawn on cotton or silk), Nepali Buddha statues, Tibetan Buddha statues, books – (second hand books ), Nepali wood carvings, plain and embroidered Pashminas, embroidered sweaters made of cashmere wool or cotton mix, shawls, woolen sweaters, scarves, mufflers, semiprecious stones ( mostly sapphire, ruby, garnet, emerald, citrine, moonstones amethyst, lapis etc), singing bowls, silver and mountain trekking gears.

There are plenty of secondhand books stores in Pokhara along the Phewal lakeside road. If you are looking for second hand guides – Lonely Planet are very cheap here, encyclopedias, novels, language books….this is the best place to look around- they have the most reasonable prices.

Nepal is known for its best quality in Pashmina wool - they are much cheaper than anywhere else in the world. Pashmina is a woolen garment made from the finest cashmere wool. It is combed from the undercoat of the Himalayan Mountain goat. There are many different qualities of Pashmina, the most popular one selling here is a 70% Pashmina and 30% Silk blend. It is quite soft, light-weight and cheaper than 100 % Pasmina, for sure. Pokhara and Thamel have the most choices and range I have seen so far. I find shopping for cashmere sweater in Pokhara is slightly cheaper than Thamel Street after bargain.

I am surprised to see many Tibetan living in Nepal. I learned that most of them are refugees from Tibet and they also brought along their handicraft skills to Nepal. Handicraft industry is important in Nepal where agricultural land is in short supply and at the same time it helps keep the traditional Tibetan crafts alive. Their expertise are mostly in weaving textiles, carpet and producing clothes, incense making, woodcarving, painting and metal work.

At Boudhanath Stupa (Buddha Eyes) in Boudhanath - Kathmandu, one of the most sacred sites for Tibetan Buddhism is a good place for shopping too. Selling mostly Tibetan handicrafts, Thangka paintings, books, postcards, fridge magnets, t- shirts, Tibetan amulets (prayer box), leather goods, bones and horn products can be found here. Thangka paintings are sold everywhere in Nepal but here in Boudhanath, I managed to talk to the artist at work in his shop. He explained to me the traditional method of producing Thangka by using a mixture of ground stones, resin and a kind of gum that ensures the durability of colors. Some Thangkas are painted with real gold can be sold at more than USD800. Anyway, the price of these paintings depends on the size, skill and paint used.
I am not too sure the difference between Mandala and Thangka. I noticed that Thangka usually has a Buddha’s image or other Buddhist deities’ images whereas Mandala does not necessary have any image, some are just geometry designs. I am simply fascinated by Mandala’s geometrical design. The Mandala may traditionally be used as a spiritual tool for meditation, but it can also be treated as a contemplative work of art.  They can also be easily found in Boudhanath. By just standing in front of the big Mandala painting at the shop can really makes me lost in time and place!  They are simply mystifying!

Another nice souvenir from here is a singing bowl. Singing bowl is the official use for Tibetan Buddhist meditation. If you rub a wooden stick around the edge the bowl produces a singing sound. You can get them in different sizes and qualities. They are quite handy to bring home.

You will most probably find everything you want to buy in Nepal in Thamel. From fake mountaineering gear to gem stones. There are many shops selling similar goods, so do shop around to get the best deals. Don’t be afraid to bargain to thirty percent of the price they open and bet you will not regret later.
Be careful of the cars and bikes as you stroll along the street, some drivers are driving beyond the limits on this congested narrow street. I was almost hit by a taxi! Thamel street is not pedestrian-friendly. However, the street life is unexpected, colorful and interesting to explore.

Next suggested shopping stop is Varanasi, India.