Tom Demsey Photo@seek.

com
 Village of Namche Bazaar, Sagarmat
National Park, in the Himalaya of eastern Nep
SWAYAMBHUNATH, Kathmandu
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34874605@N05/3239045712/
 ARCHITECTURE IN NEPAL
History of Architecture 3

Prepared by:
Archt. Clarissa L. Avendaño

1st sem AY 2012-2013

Lies between two great eastern civilization:
1. India - west, south and east
2. China - Tibetan autonomous region of the
People's Republic of China in the north
I. GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCES

• Total land area is 147,181 square kilometers

• Three old capitals
– Katmandu
– Patan
– Bhadgaon
Topographically divided into 3 regions:
• Himalaya to the north
Mt. Everest (8,848 m) - highest point
• Hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills
• Terai to the south
 KATHMANDU VALLEY

Three Main Cities:

1. Kathmandu
2. Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon
3. Patan or Lalitpur

• Crossroads of ancient civilization of Asia.

• Named after a structure in Durbar Square called “Kaasthamandap”
"wood + "covered shelter."

http://www.dntt.com.np/packages.php?id=152
 Himalayan Peaks, Nepal
II. CLIMATIC INFLUENCES

http://www.theodora.com/wfb/photos/nepal/nepal_photos_6.html

Karmali river, Népal

• Ranges from sub-tropical in

the low lands to Arctic
higher altitudes.

Mt. Everest
 II. GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCES

• WOOD used as columns ,beams,

rafters and for construction of doors,
windows and stairs.

• METALS copper, iron, brass, bronze

were commonly used. As it was
expensive it was used on religious and
door facings, lattice- works, door latches.

• NATURAL STONE sedimentary

rocks or metamorphic stone gathered
from the quarries situated on the north
and south sides of mountain slopes.

• BRICKS AND TILES - mud bricks

were used for construction of walls. Clay
tiles were extensively used for roof
coverings and for courtyard paving,
terrace floors and floor coverings.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sirensongs/557264719/in/photostream
 III. HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL INFLUENCES

• Newars and Gurkhas (of Tibetan Mongol stock) settled in early

times and established an indigenous style in art and
architecture which has never been modified.

• Art flourished during the reign of Mulla Rajas (13th – 18th c.)
 IV. RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
• Hinduism predominate
religion with 86.5% of the
population.
• Buddhism (Tibetan
Tantric) is next largest
religion, 7.8%

• Islam, 3.5%
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75363214@N00/464885631

Sadhus

http://khabarsouthasia.com/en_GB/articles/apwi/articles/features/2012/05/
25/feature-02 http://www.nepalhilfe.de/englisch/nepal.html
 Chomrong (Nepal)
Prayer Manis

• Temples, shrines, monuments and

Buddha with third eye on his forehead -
symbolizes enlightenment in both Buddhism
and Hinduism.
monasteries are extremely active with
devotees burning butter-lamps, singing
hymns, chiming temple bells and playing
drums.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

• Drawn from both cultures – India

and China

• Characteristic architectural heritage:

1. STUPAS/CHORTEN – oldest monuments
2. TEMPLES
SWAYAMBHUNATH, Kathmandu
 BODHNATH, Kathmandu

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Nepal_-_Kathmandu_-_Bodhnath_panorama.jpg
 Patan Bhai Dega temple

Luhan Dega Temple

Sikhara type Temple
MULTI-TIERED TEMPLES

Maju Dega, Kathmandu

plan and section

Traditional Materials and Construction

Technologies used in the Kathmandu Valley
Caterina Bonapace and Valerio Sestini
 ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

3. Towns:
o Newar Architecture by the indigeneous inhabitants of
Kathmandu valley.
o Typical formal feature is the monumental pillar supporting
a metal superstructure adorned with mystical symbols,
group of divinities and portrait statuary of royalties.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

3. Towns:
o Newars developed their
own architectural styles
and technology, mainly
based on two building
materials: wood and clay
(bricks) with metal used for
ornaments.

o Street facades of houses,

usually planned with
interior courtyards are
elaborately treated.
DURBAR SQUARE
• generic name used to describe plazas
opposite old royal palaces in Nepal.

Kathmandu

Bhaktapur

Patan
 o Typical formal feature is the
monumental pillar supporting a metal
superstructure adorned with mystical
symbols, group of divinities and
portrait statuary of royalties.

Metal Statue of RAJA BHUPATINDRA MALL, DURBAR

SQUARE, BHATGAON.

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Picturesque_Nepal/Chapter_10
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

o Buildings are of 3 storey: Ground floor- served as a shop,

recessed beneath an overhanging first floor which is overhung by
the upper level.
 Trabeated system of
construction. Wooden posts,
beams and struts used in the
houses are clear
intermingling of the structure
and ornamentation.

 Each floor is supported by

brackets and struts, ornately
curved and sometimes
painted.

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Picturesque_Nepal/Chapter_5
ROOFS – most striking architectural feature:

• Double pitched roof with the ridge on the line of the central spine wall.
The structure is of timber and comprises columns on the central line.
• Hovering roof form with bracket support overhanging precariously on
building walls with bracket support.
• Set one over the other in a Pagoda form.
• Covered with special clay
tiles (jhingati) with metal
gutters.

• Protect brick walls in mud

mortar from the rain and
sun: Overhang:
• Dwelling - 1000mm
• Vihara - 1500mm
• Temples-up to 4000 mm.

http://vaastukala.blogspot.com/2008/08/traditional-newar-houses-of-nepal.html
ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTER

 Windows have intricate lattice

screens.

LABORATE WOOD-CARVING ON BHAIRAN

http://www.nepalesecultureandtourism.com/2011/04/nepalese-icon.html
TEMPLE AT BHATGAON.
 http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/4656821

• Craftsmanship can be seen in the lavished works on the pillars,

lateral pilasters, lintels and beams or on the brackets which
support the projecting eaves of the roofs.
• Lintels over openings are of timber and often in three parts,
stepping upwards towards the inside.
  Fully decorated with carvings,
embossing, tinkling bells and
hanging lamps.

http://pictures.traveladventures.org/images/durbar-square15

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Lion Gate of Taleju Temple at Makhan Tole, Kathmandu
Houses in rural parts of Nepal are made up of stones and clay
http://www.explorehimalaya.com/blog/historic-images-kathmandu-valle
http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/nepal/swayambhunath_stupa.html

Sacred hill and temple of Swayambhunath, Kathmandu, Nepal

KATHMANDU SWAYAMBHUNATH Painting By Thubten Yeshe Sherpa, Namche Bazaar
SWAYAMBHUNATH, Kathmandu
1. SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA, Katmandu
• Originally an Ashoka tumulus on a hill
• Stands on a low narrow plinth (base or podium)
 http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/nepal/swayambhu
nath_stupa.html

Stairway to Swayambhunath temple

Swayambhunath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

http://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/EarlyAmericas/Interactives/HeavensAn
dEarth/html/heavens/artifact8-heaven-1280.html

• Conical spire in 13
diminishing tiers symbolizing
the 13 Buddhist heaven with
umbrella apex.
• Square base which has a
large pair of human eyes –
symbolizes the “All Seeing
One.”
• “All Seeing One” embossed in metal and ivory on each of the 4 sides.
http://www.worldhum.com/photos/photo/swayambhunath-temple-kathmandu-nepal-20090327/
http://www.choicesadoption.ca/international/ics_nepal_home.php
Swayambhunath
BODHNATH, Katmandu

• 3 platforms - 12.0 m. high

• 14.0 m. high spire resembling the finial of
Swayambhunath
BODHNATH
Katmandu

• Revered by Buddhist as
well as Nepalese Hindus.
• Gaya-jatri - festival to
worship the holy cows.
 Entrance area of a Buddhist temple

Huge Buddha with Dalai Lama portrait

Temple in Kathmandu
Kathmandu Temple
Blending Nepali and classical architecture - Kathmandu, Nepal
EXAMPLES:

PATAN

• Lalitpur (the city of beauty) – ancient name

• Circular in shape and situated about 3 miles south-
east of Kathmandu, a short distance from the
southern bank of the river Bagmati.
• The Durbar Square, built in the reign of Raja Beer
Deva in 299 A.D .
• City full of Buddhist monuments
• Shiva temples with fine bronze gateways, deities
and endless carvings.
 DURBAR SQUARE (Mangle Bazaar)

• Ancient royal residential square of Malla

Kings.
• Consist of the following:
1. Golden Gate
2. A place of 55 windows
3. The Lion Gate
4. Statue of Bhupatindra Malla
5. The biggest bell in the whole
Kingdom
6. Pagodas and Sikhara temples
Lunch on the roof looking at the old Palace- Patan
 DURBAR SQUARE , KATHMANDU

Newar town with monuments, palaces, pagodas and columns made of

carved wood defines the root of Newa/Nepali architecture

http://thenewarigirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/city-of-culture-bhaktapur.html
 EXAMPLES:

3. KRISHNA
TEMPLE, Patan

• Typical sikhara spire with

clusters of small pavillions on
each side of the 3 arcaded
storey.
• Carved stone frieze depicting
romantic Krishna legend.
Golden Gate

• Dates from the reign

of Raja Ranjit Malla in
1786 AD.
• Famous as the richest
piece of art in the
whole Kingdom.
Place of 55 windows (National Gallery)
• Old palace of brick walls remarkable for its carved
balcony with 55 windows. built by Raja Yasksha Malla
in 1427 AD.
Statue of
Bhupatindra Malla

• Famous for its arts

in column.
• Erected by Raja
Yaksha Malla in
1427 A.D.
Bhairavnath temple
4. SACRED TOWN OF PASUPATI (17th c.)

• Stands on the banks of the Bagmati, dedicated to Lord Shiva

• Holy Region of Hindu, and community of Nepalese Buddhists.
• Consists of stone and wooden temples, with a burning ghat by
the river
EXAMPLES:
PASUPATI NATH
TEMPLE
• Original pagoda styled
temple before 6th c.
• One of the most
famous places of
Hindu pilgrimage in
the world.

• Dedicated to Lord Shiva the guardian deity of Nepal

• Temples and shrines with golden gilt roof and large richly carved
silver gates.
• All the dyings are brought for cremation.
Nepal, Kathmandu - Pashupatinath

http://wallpapers.free-review.net/63__Nepal,_Kathmandu_-_Pashupatinath.htm
5. BHAIRAB TEMPLE

The Kali (black) Bhairab is one of Shiva's forms.

CHANGU NARAYAN TEMPLE
Kathmandu Valley

• One of the oldest Hindu

temples of the valley
dedicated to Vishnu
constructed in the 3rd c.
BHADGAON

• Also known as Bhaktpur(Bhaktapur) "city of devotee".

• Home of medieval art and architecture .
• Regarded as the oldest city of the valley .
• Has its origin in the time of the Lichhavi rulers. Later in
889 A.D .
• The city has as altitude of 4600 feet above the sea . It
is 9 miles east of the Kathmandu.
NYATAPOLOA TEMPLE

• Mark of Nepalese temple designed in 1700 AD.

• Shows significant innovations
1. increase of roof storeys and plinth steps on the one
hand
2. Introduction of an open gallery surrounding the shrine
cella on the other
• Integrated various styles of near-contemporary
monuments to make a convincing political and religious
statement while erecting a temple to his personal deity.
• The result is a building of the utmost harmony, defining
mature rules and canons of temple design to be observed
until the end of the Malla rule.
PLAN
ELEVATION SECTION
 End of Nepalese Architecture

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Picturesque_Nepal/Chapter_5