Architecture in Nepal Lecture Notes
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Transcript of Architecture in Nepal Lecture Notes
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ARCHITECTURE IN NEPAL A. INFLUENCES:
I. Geographical and Topographical Influences: • Lies between two great eastern civilization:
- India - west, south and east - China - Tibetan autonomous region of the People's Republic of China in the north
• Total land area is 147,181 square kilometers • Three old capitals
- Katmandu - Patan - Bhatgaon
• Topographically divided into 3 regions: - Himalaya to the north
o Mt. Everest (8,848 m) - highest point - Hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills - Terai to the south
II. Climatic Factors:
• Ranges from sub-tropical in the low lands to Arctic higher altitudes. • Seasons:
- Winter (December - February) - Summer (March - May ) - Monsoon (June - August) - Autumn (September - November)
III. Geological (Materials) Influences:
• Clay – bricks • Timber • Stone
II. Religious Influences: • Emperor Asoka brought Buddhism in the 3rd c. and built many stupas to
commemorate his missions. • Hinduism, Buddhism with Tibetan Tantric influences have existed side by side • Only country that is a Hindu state
- Hinduism predominate religion with 86.5% of the population. - Buddhists, 7.8% - next largest religion. - Muslims, 3.5% of the population.
• Temples, shrines, monuments and monasteries are extremely active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple bells and playing drums.
• The only country that has living goddess "Kumari"
II. Historical 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.) • Rajaput – Gurkha dynasty was established by Grukha Raja.
B. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER • Drawn both cultures – India and China • Characteristic architectural heritage:
1. Stupas – oldest monuments: - Hemispherical mound faced with brick masonry, surrounded by a brick plinth
(base/platform) serving as processional path - Best Examples:
a. Swayambhunath b. Bodhnath
2. Temples:
- Types: a. Sikhara – Indian influence b. Pagoda – Chinese (Burmese) influence
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3. Towns: - Typical formal feature is the monumental pillar supporting a metal
superstructure adorned with mystical symbols, group of divinities and portrait statuary of royalties.
- Secular architecture is made of wood, but brick is used for structural purpose and metal for ornament.
- Street facades of houses, usually planned with interior courtyards are elaborately treated
- Buildings are of three 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.
- Windows have intricate lattice screens. - Fully decorated with carvings, embossing, tinkling bells and hanging lamps. - Makara – rain water spouts which are characteristic of Buddhist iconography
Examples:
1. KATMANDU VALLEY - Consists of three main cities:
a. Kathmandu b. Patan c. Bhadagaon
- Ancient monument, relics of architectures and fine arts have been well preserved.
2. SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA, Katmandu - Originally an Asoka tumulus on a hill - Stands on a low narrow plinth (base or podium) - Medieval addition of an immense finial - 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” embossed in metal and ivory on each of the 4 sides. 3. BODHNATH, Katmandu
- 3 platforms - 12.0 m. high - 14.0 m. high spire resembling the finial of Swayambhunath - Revered by both Buddhist as well as Nepalese Hindus. - Gaya-jatri - festival to worship the holy cows.
4. PATAN
- Ancient name of the city is Lalitpur (the city of beauty). - 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 .
o City full of Buddhist monuments o Shiva temples with fine bronze gateways, deities and endless carvings.
5. 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. 6. DURBAR SQAURE, Patan
- Ancient royal residential square of Malla Kings. - Consist of the following:
a. Golden Gate o Dates from the reign of Raja Ranjit Malla in 1786 AD. o Famous as the richest piece of art in the whole Kingdom.
b. A place of 55 windows o Old palace of brick walls remarkable for its carved balcony with 55 windows.
built by Raja Yasksha Malla in 1427 AD. c. The Lion Gate d. Statue of Bhupatindra Malla
o Famous for its arts in column. o Erected by Raja Yaksha Malla in 1427 A.D.
e. The biggest bell in the whole Kingdom f. Pagodas and Sikhara temples
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7. 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
8. 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.
9. BHAIRAB TEMPLE - The Kali (black) Bhairab is one of Shiva's forms.
10. CHANGU NARAYAN TEMPLE
- One of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley dedicated to Vishnu constructed in the 3rd c.
- One of 7 structures cited by UNESCO that make the Kathmandu Valley a World Heritage Site.
11. 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. 12. NYATAPOLOA TEMPLE
- Mark of Nepalese temple designed in 1700 AD. - Shows significant innovations
o increase of roof storeys and plinth steps on the one hand o 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
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Books: Harris, Cyril M. Historic Architecture Sourcebook. Mac Graw Hil, Inc. USA.1977. Palmes, J.C. Sir Banister Fletcher’s A History of Architecture. 18th ed.The Athlone Press, University of London. London Other Sources: Internet Sources
College of Architecture University of Santo Tomas HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 3 1st Semester AY 2008-2009 Prepared by: Archt. Clarissa L. Avendaño August 2008
ELEVATION SECTION