Tom Demsey Photo@seek.com

Village of Namche Bazaar, Sagarmatha National Park, in the Himalaya of eastern Nepal.

SWAYAMBHUNATH, Kathmandu

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34874605@N05/3239045712/

ARCHITECTURE IN NEPALHistory 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

http://www.dntt.com.np/packages.php?id=152

• Crossroads of ancient civilization of Asia.

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

Three Main Cities: 1. Kathmandu2. Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon3. Patan or Lalitpur

Karmali river, Népal

Mt. Everest

Himalayan Peaks, Nepal

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

II. CLIMATIC INFLUENCES

• Ranges from sub-tropical in

the low lands to Arctic

higher altitudes.

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.)

• Hinduism predominate religion with 86.5% of the population.

IV. RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE

Sadhus

http://www.nepalhilfe.de/englisch/nepal.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/75363214@N00/464885631

• Buddhism (Tibetan Tantric) is next largest religion, 7.8%

• Islam, 3.5%

http://khabarsouthasia.com/en_GB/articles/apwi/articles/features/2012/05/25/feature-02

• Temples, shrines, monuments and monasteries are extremely active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple bells and playing drums.

Chomrong (Nepal) Prayer Manis

Buddha with third eye on his forehead - symbolizes enlightenment in both Buddhism and Hinduism.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

• Characteristic architectural heritage:

1. STUPAS/CHORTEN – oldest monuments

2. TEMPLES

• Drawn from both cultures – India

and China

SWAYAMBHUNATH, Kathmandu

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

BODHNATH, Kathmandu

Luhan Dega Temple

Patan Bhai Dega temple

Sikhara type Temple

MULTI-TIERED TEMPLES

Maju Dega, Kathmandu plan and section

Traditional Materials and ConstructionTechnologies 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.

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

Metal Statue of RAJA BHUPATINDRA MALL, DURBAR SQUARE, BHATGAON.

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.

Each floor is supported by brackets and struts, ornately curved and sometimes painted.

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

Trabeated system of construction. Wooden posts, beams and struts used in the houses are clear intermingling of the structure and ornamentation.

• Covered with special clay

tiles (jhingati) with metal

gutters.

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.

• 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.

http://www.nepalesecultureandtourism.com/2011/04/nepalese-icon.htmlLABORATE WOOD-CARVING ON BHAIRAN TEMPLE AT BHATGAON.

• 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.

http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/4656821

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

Fully decorated with carvings,

embossing, tinkling bells and hanging

lamps.

 Lion Gate of Taleju Temple at Makhan Tole, Kathmandu

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

Houses in rural parts of Nepal are made up of stones and clay

http://www.explorehimalaya.com/blog/historic-images-kathmandu-valley/

Sacred hill and temple of Swayambhunath, Kathmandu, Nepal

http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/nepal/swayambhunath_stupa.html

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)

Stairway to Swayambhunath temple

Swayambhunath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/nepal/swayambhunath_stupa.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.”

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

• “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.

Huge Buddha with Dalai Lama portrait

Entrance area of a Buddhist temple

Temple in Kathmandu

Kathmandu Temple

Blending Nepali and classical architecture - Kathmandu, Nepal

PATAN

EXAMPLES:

• 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.

• 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

DURBAR SQUARE (Mangle Bazaar)

Lunch on the roof looking at the old Palace- Patan 

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

DURBAR SQUARE , KATHMANDU

3. KRISHNA TEMPLE, Patan

EXAMPLES:

• Typical sikhara spire with

clusters of small pavillions on

each side of the 3 arcaded

storey.

• Carved stone frieze depicting

romantic Krishna legend.

• Dates from the reign

of Raja Ranjit Malla in

1786 AD.

• Famous as the richest

piece of art in the

whole Kingdom.

Golden Gate

• Old palace of brick walls remarkable for its carved

balcony with 55 windows. built by Raja Yasksha Malla

in 1427 AD.

Place of 55 windows (National Gallery)

• Famous for its arts

in column.

• Erected by Raja

Yaksha Malla in

1427 A.D.

Statue of Bhupatindra Malla

Bhairavnath temple

• 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

4. SACRED TOWN OF PASUPATI (17th c.)

• 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.

EXAMPLES:

PASUPATI NATH TEMPLE

• Original pagoda styled

temple before 6th c.

• One of the most

famous places of

Hindu pilgrimage in

the world.

Nepal, Kathmandu - Pashupatinath

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

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

5. BHAIRAB TEMPLE

• One of the oldest Hindu

temples of the valley

dedicated to Vishnu

constructed in the 3rd c.

CHANGU NARAYAN TEMPLEKathmandu Valley

• 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.

BHADGAON

• 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.

NYATAPOLOA TEMPLE

PLAN

ELEVATION SECTION

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

End of Nepalese Architecture

Bamiyan valley

BAMIYAN

• Monasteries and temples – important for its

relationship to Persia and Central Asia.

• Huge group is carved out of a sandstone cliff face,

interior honeycombed with sanctuaries and

assembly halls extending for nearly 2 k. with painted

niche at the end each sheltering a vast Buddha

statue.

• Eastern Image is 37 m. – enlarged 3rd c. Gandhara

type

• Western Image is 54 m. – 5th c., example of eclectic

cosmopolitan influences of Buddhist art.

BAMIYAN

• Statues are prototypes of colossal image cult which

later appeared in China and Japan

• Structural technique:

– body and head rough hewn from the rock

– Features and drapery modeled in mud mixed with

straw , with lime plaster finished painted and gilded.

• Rock cut sanctuaries and assembly halls – reflect

building types once existing in Gandhara influenced by

Graeco- Roman-Sassanian styles

BAMIYAN

• Other features:

– Cupola roofs spanning with arched squinches the

square chamber angles in anticipation of the Sassanian

fire-temples

– lantern roof

– Coffered dome

– Elaborate system of hexagons (each containing a

seated Buddha image)

– Triangles rising to a central octagon.

According to the world press, this Buddha was destroyed by the Taliban.