BHAKTAPUR: After Bhaktapur’s famed Durbar Square, the historic Pottery Square area has become the latest attraction for both domestic and foreign visitors. Tourists are increasingly drawn to the centuries-old craft of making clay pots, a tradition preserved by the Prajapati community for generations.
Located in Talakwa, Bhaktapur-4, Pottery Square has evolved into a vibrant cultural hub where visitors can experience traditional pottery-making up close. The local Kumale community, busy producing clay lamps, pots, and incense holders for the upcoming Tihar festival, also engage tourists by teaching them how to mold clay into artistic shapes.
Rows of signboards reading “Pottery Training Centre” invite visitors to try their hands at the potter’s wheel. Local artisan Binod Prajapati said that foreigners especially enjoy learning the process. “They love the feel of clay and the spinning wheel. We charge around Rs 100 to Rs 200 for a short session, and it’s become a good source of extra income for us,” he said.
Australian tourist Herina Mark, seen shaping clay on an electric wheel, described the experience as “deeply relaxing and joyful.” Nearby, 81-year-old Lalit Prajapati continues to demonstrate the ancestral method of making pottery using a wooden stick to spin a traditional wheel made from an old tire—an image that fascinates many visitors.
“The tourists are amazed to see how we use such simple tools,” said Lalit, smiling as a group of foreign travelers recorded the process on their phones.
According to local resident Sajan Prajapati, the increasing flow of tourists has significantly improved household earnings. “We’re busy fulfilling Tihar orders, but whenever tourists come, we take time to teach them. It makes our work more meaningful,” he said.
While making clay pots takes months to master, most tourists simply enjoy the tactile fun of playing with clay for a few minutes. Locals say this hands-on experience has helped revive interest in the age-old craft among Nepali youths as well, many of whom now post videos of their pottery sessions on social media.
Despite rising tourist interest, the potters say they have not raised prices this year. Clay lamps are being sold at Rs 40 per dozen, even as plastic substitutes from India flood the market, affecting local demand. Around 65 Prajapati families continue the craft in Pottery Square, though many worry about sustaining their livelihoods if prices remain stagnant.
Still, as Bhaktapur prepares for the festive season, the rhythmic hum of spinning wheels and the earthy smell of clay remind visitors why this ancient city remains Nepal’s living museum of heritage and art.
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