Pottery has been a family trade in Bhaktapur for centuries, carried on mainly by the Prajapati community, whose workshops open straight onto the square a few minutes south of Durbar Square. Clay is dug from fields around the town, then soaked, trodden and kneaded by hand before it reaches the wheel. The traditional Newar wheel is a heavy disc set spinning with a stick and kept turning by its own weight, though many potters now use electric wheels for everyday production. In the morning the square fills with rows of pots, lamps, money boxes and flowerpots drying in the sun.
Our session starts with a slow walk through the square while the potter explains the process from raw clay to finished pot, including the open kilns stacked with pots, straw and ash that smoulder through the day. Then you sit at the wheel. The potter centres the clay, guides your hands to open and raise the walls, and usually rescues the result. Most people manage a small bowl or cup on the second or third try. Children over about six enjoy it, and the clay washes out of clothes easily.
Your piece needs several days to dry and fire, so it cannot leave with you the same day; if you are staying longer in the valley we can collect it, otherwise most guests buy a finished piece from the family. Prices are low, with small bowls and lamps costing a few hundred rupees. Sessions run best from October to May, as the monsoon slows drying and fewer potters work outside. Wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy, and bring some cash for the family, since tips go straight to the workshop.
Good for
- Families
- Couples
- Photographers
- Solo
Questions travellers ask
Can children try the pottery wheel in Bhaktapur?
Yes. Children from about six upwards usually love it, and the potter keeps a hand on the wheel the whole time. Younger children can shape small pieces by hand while their parents try the wheel. Bring a change of top or an old T-shirt, since wet clay splashes, and wet wipes for the walk afterwards.
Can I take my pot home after the workshop?
Not on the same day. A freshly thrown pot needs several days to dry and then has to be fired, so it cannot go in your bag that afternoon. If you are in the valley for a few more days, we can arrange collection; otherwise buying a finished piece from the same family is the usual answer.
Do I need a Bhaktapur entry ticket to visit Pottery Square?
Yes, for foreign and SAARC visitors, because Pottery Square lies inside the ticketed old town. Foreigners pay NPR 1,800 and SAARC and Chinese nationals NPR 500, and the same ticket covers Durbar, Taumadhi and Dattatreya squares. Fees are revised from time to time, so check current status before you travel.
