Bhaktapur

Attractions in Bhaktapur:

'Talako' the pottery square:

Pottery, an extraordinary craft of Bhaktapur, still practiced today plays a part of living cultural heritage. At 'Talako' the pottery square the art of pottery is displayed with expertise handed down as family trade from one generation to another for centuries.

The earthen artifacts created on potter's wheel are mostly utensils used for religious, cultural and daily purposes. To make their wares the potters use black clay, a special type of clay dug from the fields around Bhaktapur. The clay mixed with sand and water is molded and placed at the center of the potter's wooden wheel. The potter uses a stick to rotate the wheel to an ideal speed so that he can use his both hands to create his crafts, which are later dried out in sun and ultimately put inside traditional oven to bake them ready for use.

During Gai Jatra, the cow festival in August the potters rejoice in the evenings by performing Bhairav dance. The dance is exclusively performed by the potters and is among special dances of Bhaktapur.

In the square there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Jetha Ganesh. On auspicious occasions like 'Keta puja' a ceremony which the boys undergo to be recognized as adults the potters of the area come to this temple for puja and blessings.  The temple is also important for 'Ihi' ritual in Bhaktapur. For this particular ceremony puja has to been done here and black clay as blessings of Jetha Ganesh has to be taken to the place where 'Ihi' for the girls is to be performed.