Architectural Wonders of Nepal

Geography of Nepal

• Located in the southern slopes of the mid-Himalayas
• Composed of high mountains, including Mount Everest
• Situated between 26˚22' and 30˚27' north latitude and 80˚4' and 80˚12' east longitude
• Total land area is 147,181 square kilometers
• Kathmandu is the capital and largest urban agglomerate of Nepal

Climatic Seasons of Nepal

• Spring: March to May, warm and dusty with rain showers
• Summer: June to August, monsoon season with lush and green hills
• Autumn: September to November, cool with clear skies, popular trekking season
• Winter: December to February, cold at night and foggy in the morning, clear and pleasant afternoons

History and Social Aspects

• Newars and Gurkhas (of Tibetan-Mongol stock) settled in Nepal, establishing an indigenous style in art and architecture
• Gurkhas are soldiers from Nepal
• Newars are the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley, creators of its historic civilization
• Arts flourished during the reign of Mulla Rajas, particularly in the 14th, 15th, and early 18th centuries
• In 1768, a Gurkha Raja seized the kingdom, establishing a Gurkha Dynasty that has ruled the country since

Religions of Nepal

• Hinduism: the first people to set foot in ancient Nepal, with beliefs recorded in the Vedas
• Buddhism: split into two main schools of thought, Hinayana and Mahayana, with Mahayanists believing in achieving nirvana by following Bodhisattvas
• Bhawani Temple, Bhatgaon: a pagoda and Tantric type, with five-storey overhung roofs
• Sacred Town of Pasupati (17th century): dedicated to Siva, with stone and wooden temples and a burning ghat by the river

Architectural Heritage of Nepal

• Stupas/Chorten: oldest monuments
• Multi-tiered Temples: characteristic architectural feature
• Newar Architecture:
  • Developed by indigenous inhabitants of Kathmandu valley
  • Typical formal feature: monumental pillar supporting a metal superstructure adorned with mystical symbols and portrait statuary
  • Use of wood and clay (bricks) as building materials, with metal used for ornaments
  • Street facades of houses, with interior courtyards, are elaborately treated
• Durbar Square: a generic name used to describe plazas opposite old royal palaces in Nepal

Traditional Nepalese Houses

• Three-storey buildings: Ground floor serves as a shop, with recessed first floor and overhanging upper level
• Trabeated system of construction
• Wooden posts, beams, and struts used in the houses, with clear intermingling of structure and ornamentation
• Bracket support overhanging precariously on building walls
• Covered with special clay tiles (jhingati) and metal gutters
• Windows have intricate lattice screens

Explore the unique architectural features of Bhawani Temple and the Sacred Town of Pasupati in Nepal, blending influences from India and China. Learn about the pagoda style, five-storey overhung roofs, and the stone and wooden temples dedicated to Siva.