Pottery Square (Kumha Twa) | Bhaktapur

Information

Landmark: Pottery Square (Kumha Twa)
City: Bhaktapur
Country: Nepal
Continent: Asia

Pottery Square (Kumha Twa), Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia

Pottery Square (Kumha Twa) is a historic hub of traditional ceramics in Bhaktapur, Nepal, located south of Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Visual Characteristics

The square is an open-air workshop defined by hundreds of sun-drying clay vessels-ranging from small yogurt bowls (dhungri) to large water jars-laid out across the pavement. It is characterized by the sight of traditional wooden potter's wheels, smoke from straw-covered kilns, and the red-brick Newari architecture that borders the plaza.

Location & Access Logistics

Located in Bhaktapur 44800, Nepal.

Transit: 15-minute walk from the main Bhaktapur bus park. Easily reached on foot from Durbar Square or Taumadhi Square.

Access: Open public space. Entry is included in the standard Bhaktapur city entrance fee for international tourists.

Hours: Generally active from sunrise to sunset. Professional activity peaks in the morning.

Historical Origin

Bhaktapur has been a center for pottery for centuries, with the craft passed down through generations of the Prajapati caste. The square remains one of the few places where the traditional manual process-from clay preparation to pit-firing-is preserved exactly as it was during the Malla dynasty.

Key Highlights & Activities

Wheel Throwing: Observation of potters using heavy manual wooden wheels or modern electric wheels to shape clay.

Sun-Drying: Vast rows of symmetrical clay pots creating geometric patterns across the square.

Jeth Ganesh Temple: A small 14th-century temple on the square dedicated to the elephant-headed god, the patron of the potters.

Pit Kilns: Massive mounds of straw and ash used to fire the ceramics in the traditional manner.

Pottery Classes: Several workshops, such as the Pottery Training Center, offer hands-on lessons for visitors.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The area consists of uneven brick paving. Small shops surrounding the square sell finished ceramic products, incense, and local handicrafts. Basic guesthouses and rooftop cafes are located in the immediate vicinity.

Best Time to Visit

Morning (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM): To see the maximum amount of active wheel throwing.

Dry Season (October – May): Pottery production is highest when there is no rain to disrupt the drying and firing process.

Facts & Legends

A technical oddity is the clay source; traditionally, the potters use a specific black clay (dyacha) found only in certain areas of the Kathmandu Valley, which is prized for its plasticity. Legend states that the first potter was taught the craft by the gods to provide vessels for temple offerings, making the work a sacred duty as much as a livelihood.