Daura Suruwal

Daura Suruwal

Daura Suruwal is the national dress or official dress in Nepal.The Daura, also called labeda more conservatively, is worn on the upper half of the body as a shirt, but without buttons or zipper. Instead, there are four ties across; two slightly above the breast near the shoulders, and two near the waist. The dress is believed to have religious The Daura has eight strings called, “Astamatrika-Singini, Byagini, Kumari, Barahi, Brahmayani, Indrayani, Maheshowri, Byasnbi, and Mahalaxmi”, that serves to tie itself up around the body and eight is a lucky number according to our mythology. Also, the Daura has five pleats or Kallis, signifying Pancha Buddha or Pancha Ratna. And the closed neck of the Daura signifies the snake around the Lord Shiva’s neck.

Suruwal, on the other hand, means “pajama” in Nepali, except that when together with daura it is stitched very loose above the thighs and its huge waistband is pulled tight and bunched at the top. The suruwal tapers considerably as it flows down to fit tightly at the ankles.

As the official or national dress of Nepal. Daura Suruwal is worn by the employee of the government offices. Daura Suruwal is found in so many different colors. Most of the people look smart when wearing Daura Suruwal. Nowaday, due to westernization most of the Nepali people have forsaken to wear Daura Suruwal. Daura Suruwal has not made compulsory in almost all of the school. Most of the people of country side of hilly area wear Daura Suruwal. However, the people of Kathmandu are found less in Number wearing Daura Suruwal. Even the people of Terai do not wear Daura Suruwal. Daural Suruwal is popular in Brahman and Chhettri people. Other ethnic minorities have their own typical dresses. Daura Suruwal is always meant to wear with Dhaka Topi and Bhad Gaunle Topi.

The Jham Jham Belt is worn with the daura suruwal instead of a waist coat. It can be found at the Royal Cap House, Machhendra Bahal and Singapore Store, Khichapokhari.