Bishal Poudel recently opened the pop-up shop Himalayan Mantra inside Zenna Wellness Studio in downtown Berlin, with the help of Zenna owner Chrissy Ehrhart.

By Paige Mallory Passman, Staff Writer

(Sept. 13, 2018) Ocean City resident Bishal Poudel, a photographer and business owner, is passionate about bringing items from his home country of Nepal and seeing the positive effects they have on the Eastern Shore.

Poudel’s online shop, Himalaya Mantra, is committed to supporting socially and economically disadvantaged artisans. The website, www.himalayamantra.com, opened in December 2017.

Himalaya Mantra features spiritual items, religious masks, hand-pounded singing bowls, hemp items such as backpacks, purses, clothing and wallets, silver jewelry, home décor, handmade paper goods, incense and pashmina shawls. Poudel’s photographs are available for purchase as well.

“I approached Chrissy Ehrhart, owner of Zenna Wellness Center [in Berlin] about carrying some of my items,” Poudel said. “We formed a partnership and had created a small store because we both follow the same business initiative by carrying fair trade items and felt the store was a good fit.”

Poudel will have items for sale during Berlin’s Second Friday Art Atroll, Sept. 14.

“I believe that the store will be a success and Himalaya Mantra will become an established shop in Berlin at Zenna Wellness,” Poudel said. “There has been a very positive response from members of Zenna Wellness and everyone is excited to purchase items that support their spiritual journey, make a fashion statement, or can bring some color to their home.”

Poudel said he knows the background story of the shop owners in Nepal and how each item was produced.

For more information on Bishal Poudel’s photography and store, visit www.bishalphotography.com and www.himalayamantra.com.

Second Friday Art Stroll will take place from 5-8 p.m. in the downtown Berlin businesses.