Handicraft in Nepal

Handicraft is any types of work where useful and decorative products are made completely by hand or just using some simple tools. Handicraft products of Nepal have their own significant norms and values with the blend of spirit and mystery of Nepalese cultures and traditions. Nepal is the birth place of Araniko, a famous artist of late 12th century. He is the one who had introduced pagoda style architecture in China so he is known as key figure in Chinese culture.

There are many temples around the Kathmandu valley. These temples and statues of gods and other figures are simply standards of the perfection of handicrafts. And they have their own story. Each crafted object, shaped and reshaped carefully results in unique art piece that are slightly different from others. Because two hand made products cannot turn out to be exactly same. In Nepal’s cultural history, handicraft has been a skill that has been handed over through the generations. Today many people business thrive with the export and selling of handicraft products ranging from metal statues of gods to woolen carpets. 

Nepal is a place where we can find different culture and religion within a certain place according to the caste. So, we can find varieties on handicrafts according to community. During traditional period crafts were made on the stone and wood of the temple with religious value. But nowadays value of craft has increased as they are used for interior decoration as well as gifting purpose. On current context of Nepal, handmade craft products are the major source of income.  

Some types of handicraft in Nepal are listed below:

Woodcraft

The three cities of Kathmandu i.e. Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu itself has breathtaking architecture of palaces and temples which is also one of the reason tourists visits these places. These culturally distinctive places contain wooden, brick and stone temples. The intricate and artistic carvings of the Hindu deities and religious motifs are made in the pillars, brackets, struts, beam frames of the peristyles, window and door frames. Nepal is a treasure trove of woodcarving through rich traditional knowledge of Nepali art and architecture in wood.

Ceramics

Ceramics handicraft is a modern form of traditional clay handicraft. The glazing and coloring process make the ceramic handicrafts different from traditional ones. Ceramic handicraft is only two decades old in Nepal and is mostly manufactured in Bhaktapur and Thimi. The filtered plastic clay is usually brought in bulk from valleys like Dang. Then they are given various shapes using hand with the help of spinning wheels and different designs are created. Then the products are left to dry in the sun and fired in a downdraft kiln. And finally, the pieces are glazed using different color chemicals and fired again to give a final glaze. 

Metal craft

Even today the city of Patan is the center of metal craft. Metal crafts are seen at most every nook and corner especially at old palace and the hundreds of temples and stupas. It considered as one of the major handicrafts of Nepal. They are produced totally by hand with traditional techniques. Through this methods traditional wares like utensils, singing bowls, brass and copper kitchen wares, bells, Tibetan metal crafts, Buddha images, khukuris, etc are prepared which are exquisite and intricate.

Lokta

In Nepal, ancient religious manuscripts and sacred texts were almost always written on Lokta paper and till date. The making of Lokta paper most commonly known as rice paper or Nepali kaagaz, represents a traditional craft that has been passed down for generations. Designer lampshades, wall-paper, photo albums, frames and even curtains made of Lokta paper are found which provides beautifully textured surfaces.

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Golden Temple

The Golden Temple also known as the Hiranya Varna or Suwarna Mahavihara is located in the north of Patan Durbar Square. It was founded in the 12th century and it has existed in its current form since 1409. The temple got its name from the gilded metal plates that covers most of its frontage and it is one of the most beautiful temples in patan. Entry is through an ornate narrow stone doorway to the east, or a wooden doorway to the west from interlinked courtyard of Nakabhil. The doorway is flanked by gaudy painted guardian lions. The second door has carvings of Buddha depicting the path of practicing paramita to achieve Bodhisattva. The second doorway leads to the main courtyard of the temple. Shoes, leather articles must be removed to enter the lower courtyard. The inner courtyard has a railed walkway around three sides and the entry is flanked by two stone elephants.  

The temple itself is a splendid example of courtyard temple architecture. Inside the main shrine is a beautiful statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. To the left of the courtyard there is a statue of Green Tara and in the right corner is a statue of the Bodhisattva Vajrasattva wearing an impressive silver and gold cape. Facing the main temple is a smaller shrine containing swayambhu chaitya. The four corners of the courtyard have statues of four Lokeshvaras and four monkeys holding jackfruits as an offering. The main priest of the temple is a young boy under the age of 12, who serves 30 days before handing over to another young boy. A stairway leads to an upper floor chapel devoted to a white eight-armed Avalokiteshvara, lined with Tibetan style frescoes including a wheel of life. As you leave the temple from the eastern exit, look up to see an embossed mandala mounted on the ceiling. The temple is much bigger from the inside than it seems looking from outside. There are falcha-seating spaces along the passages around the temple. The spinning of prayers wheel, butter lamp offerings, sights of devotees putting on red tilak and smell of incense lend the place a calm and meditative tranquility.

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Rudra Varna Mahavihar

Patan is famous for religious sites. Tourists from different countries visit this place to observe traditional Newari monuments. Rudra Varna Mahavihar is one of the most beautiful monastery of patan and a better Nepal tourist place. It is located in Lalitpur Okhubahal, near the world famous Mahaboudha Terracotta temple which is also known as nine thousand Buddha temple. It is nearly 500 meters away from Patan Durbar Square. The Mahavihar was built by Lichhavi king Shiva Deva in 6th century A.D. Thus, it is named Shiva Deva Sanskarita. The king became Buddhist monk in this vihar and after some days according to his teacher’s guidance he lived as a house hold monk and spent each day meditating before the image of buddha he had installed in the main shrine of vihar. His sons and grandsons carried the tradition. After 400 years the vihar was renovated by king Rudra Deva, since the name of the vihar became Shiva Deva Sanskarita Shree Rudra Varna Mahavihar.

The entrance of the vihar is a gate with two large stone lions welcoming the visitors. The lions hold the spears by both hands and half moon symbol is raised in between them. The moon symbolizes Chandra, the spear indicates Sama and the lion indicates Shera. So, in this way the name of Chandra Sham Shera is symbolized in the gate. Entering the gate one can reach first compound of the vihar called Ubaha Gathicha. There are three deities in this compound, they are Shakyamuni Buddha, Chaitya and Lokeshwara. Passing through the entry way there is the main shrine of the vihar and courtyard. The shrine is 3 storied facing north. At the center of the shrine in ground floor, there is a large image of Shakyamuni Buddha adorned with various ornaments. The door of the main shrine is decorated with gold plated respousee metal sheets with floral design and molded images. The courtyard of the vihar is filled with large collection of metal casted figures. The image of lion, elephant, peacock, horse and garuda are installed in both sides of the main shrine as the vehicle symbols of Pancha Buddha. This place is pleasant, the walls and altars of this place is quite popular for their statues and the place is worth a visit.

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Mahaboudha

Patan has many religious sites among which Mahaboudha is one of them. It is located at the south of Patan Durbar Square in the place named Okhubahal. It is the Buddhist temple made from thousands of clay bricks engraved with breathtaking religious carvings. Built in the Indian shikhara style. This temple is one of several attractions of culture. It is the masterpiece of brick and tile, reveals an art and tradition. Mahaboudha was built by a priest named Abhaya Raj of Patan. Because of the earthquake in 2015 the temple had some mild damage and still renovation is going on. The temple is sometimes called the temple of 9000 buddhas because every single brick depicts a small buddha images.

In the corner of the courtyard a smaller shrine to Maya devi, the buddha’s mother has been constructed. The surrounding lanes of the temple is full of shops selling high quality Patan style metal statues. The temple is designed in commemoration to the original temple in India called Bodhgaya where buddha obtained enlightenment. Mahaboudha is a peaceful place to visit, you can light a butter lamp and pray for your well-being. This temple is a great pilgrim for the Buddhist practitioners. Buddhists from all over the world comes to worship the Buddha and feel eternal peace and satisfaction.

On the ground floor of the temple the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha displaying earth touching gesture is established. And on the first floor Amitabha Tathagata is installed. Similarly, on third, fourth and fifth floor Panchajinalaya Swayambhu Chaitya, Dharmadhatu Mandala, Vajradhatu Mandala and Suryaniranjan Chaitya are established respectively. This temple is may be the best and first temple which has been built up of terracotta in the country. But sadly, since the shrine is placed in a small courtyard that hardly has enough open space it is unable to view the peak of the temple unless you climb the adjoining house. The architecture of the temple is still one of the living arts of Nepal. The entry fee for foreigners is Rs.50 and opening hours is 9 am to 5:30pm.

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Ganesh

Ganesh is the Lord of good fortune who provides prosperity, fortune, success and also one of the best known and loved deities in the Hindu pantheon of gods. He is the deity of beginnings and the remover of obstacles of both material and spiritual kinds. His image is found everywhere in many different forms and people believe that invoking Lord Ganesh before undertaking any task would lead them to success. He is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. He is held to be the son of Shiva and Parvati. The statues of Ganesh are spread all across Indonesia, India, Nepal, Tibet, and Southeast Asia. The name Ganesha was given by Shiva. He is depicted with the body of man and the head of an elephant having only one tusk, the other tusk appears to be broken. His unique attributes besides the elephant head is the large belly practically falling over his lower garment. Because of his attributes he is widely revered by almost all castes. Ganesha rides on a mouse which is white in color. He is four-armed, in the two right hands he carries a trisula and laddu i.e. sweet ball and in the two left hands a parasu i.e. axe and a radish.

Once Kumara challenged him to circumambulate the world and the winner prize was to be worshipped by the people first. Kumara travelled the world with his vehicle peacock several times. Ganesh then thinking that he would not be able to complete with his tiny vehicle mouse came out with different idea. He began to circumambulate around the Lord Shiva and Parvati thrice. When they asked the reason for that, he replied that the world was not greater than his parents and circumambulating them. On hearing the wise answer of his son, Lord Shiva and Parvati blessed him that he should be the first deity to be worshipped before any ritual ceremony or propitious occasion.

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Kubera - God of Wealth

Kubera is considered as the treasurer of riches and the god-king of the semi-divine Yakshas in Hindu mythology. In North (Dik-pala) he is regarded as the regent and a protector of the world (Lokapala). Kuber is often picturized as a fat man, adorned with jewels and carrying a money-pot or money-bag, and a club. Lord Kuber is also known as Dzambhala in Tibetan. The obstacle of poverty can be removed with the blessings of Dzambhala and also helps in bringing wealth and abundance to pure Dharma practitioners. While people are bothered by lack of resources it is difficult to attain spiritual realizations, So Dzambhala generates prosperity so that practitioners have time, energy and means to accomplish.

According to the Sutras, while Shakyamuni Buddha was teaching one day, demons tried to disturb and confuse the Buddha and Dzambhala appeared in front of the Buddha and protected him. Identifying Dzambhala’s courageous action, Buddha asked him if he would like to become a Dharma protector in order to help all living beings. Dzambhala acquired the Buddha’s offer and since then he has offered immediate assistance to all who call his name or chant his mantra. His blessings grant good luck, increase virtues, prolong life, increase intelligence, and provide both material and spiritual benefits.

There are five Dzambhalas – yellow, white, black, green and red, of which yellow is considered the most popular and powerful of wealth Gods. Yellow Dzambhala is depicted ornamented with a crown, silk of various colors and beautiful gold and jeweled ornaments. Kubera statues can be placed at your home for daily worship and it is the best way to meditate on his powerful form. It fills the home and the occupants with positivity, success and fortune.

Gesture

He appears in the form of two arms and two legs and is seated imperially upon a throne. His right hand holds bijapuraka (citron) fruit and his left hand cradles a mongoose that spits out precious gems.

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Nepal is a small country

Nepal is a small country which is rich in handicrafts. There are lots of different handicrafts in Nepal such as silver craft, wood craft, ceramics, metal craft and many more. As one of the major handicrafts of Nepal, metal crafts are produced totally by hand with traditional techniques. The city of Patan is the center of metal craft. Most of these craft traditions are prominent display around the Patan. Metal statues are of Buddhist God in Tibetan style, although there are Newari style of Buddhist and Hindu images. They are created either for the trade as well as for religious purposes. Statues are made of metals like copper with partly gold and full gold.
 

Metal statues are made with the process as, first a wax model is created, the shapes are hallow and typically do not contain a clay core while they are being formed, once the wax image is finished then a clay mold is built around it in layers starting with a fine, grained mixture of cow dung and clay and it is fired in high heat, then the wax is poured out through a small opening and replaced by copper. This is allowed to set after that the hardened mold is broken to reveal the metal figure and finally refining tools and paint are used to produce the fine statues. Because copper is very hard to work with it is necessary to mix atleast 8-12 percent of softer metals such as brass and zinc.

Though we are promoting our art as business, we have not received any assistance from concerned authorities, we cannot carry every statue while traveling abroad to give more choices to our clients. We have been taking samples of our product and showing them to our client. But this way in long term sustaining our business is impossible.

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