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Nepalese Architecture(Bastukala)

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The art or practice of designing and constructing buildings is known as Architecture. This note contains a description of different types of Architecture in Nepal.
Nepalese Architecture(Bastukala)

Introduction

By architecture, we mean the art of building houses, palaces, temples, forts etc. The art of building dates back to the ancient age. It was explicitly religious and majestic art. Mangriha of Mandeva, Kailashkut of Amshuverma and Bhadradhiwas of Narendra Dev had the beauty of their own. Records reveal that the Lichchhavi architecture was really great but buildings of that time have not been protected to date. Palaces, temples, Buddhist monasteries and stupas, built in the medieval age have survived till today as the cultural treasures of Nepal. Nyatapola, the 5-storey temple of Bhaktapur was built in medieval age by King Bhupitindra Malla to keep the goddess Laxmi inside. Like other aspects of art, Nepali architecture is noted for its originality and magnificence. It can be studied under three categories:

a. Pagoda style

changu.jpg

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Pagoda architecture is multi-storied. Its roofs, originally made of gold, bronze or brass, get narrower from the lower to the higher and the top is usually a golden gajur (pinnacle). The ground, on which building is made, is little raised with some carved steps decorated by images on the both sides. Tundals are important elements which contain beautiful carving at three levels- trees and trailers on the top, deities in the middle and human beings or animals on the bottom. Doors that are on all sides and windows have wooden carvings and further decorated by torans in arches. Pagoda style is supposed to have begun in the ancient time though we have records only enough to prove its arrival in the 13th century. Mangriha, Changunarayan, Kailashkut Bhawan etc. were the ancient models of a pagoda. Pagoda style of architecture developed most in the Malla period. Existing temples and buildings of the Kathmandu Valley like Pashupatinath, Taleju, Nyatapola, Dttatraya, Kastamandap, Nautale Durbar and many more are constructed in the same style. Pagoda temples are spread throughout the country.

b. Stupa (chaitya) Style

The stupa is basically a Buddhist style of architecture. It is a hemispherical dome that keeps pinnacle with Buddha's eyes painted on the outside. Umbrella-like disc round the central single pillar represents nirvana (salvation). Stupas, at least, those in Baishali, are believed to contain the relic of a saint or ashes of Buddha so are highly symbolic structures. Extending from the central pillar there are festooned prayer flags and prayer wheels lie all around the basal circumference. Stupa style is supposed to have been introduced in Nepal by Indian King Ashoka in the first century BC. He erected five stupas in Patan, Buddhanath, Swayambhunath and Charumati in Kathmandu.

c. Summit (Shikhar ) style

summit.jpg

Summit style of architecture is believed to have entered Nepal from India. Summit building is roofless with several towering and tapering tops with golden pinnacles. Stone is the original construction material. Carving is very beautiful. When bricks are used for walls, doors are carved in the stones. Wood is rarely used. Outside there is a veranda, top of which is supported by carved stone pillars. Domes on the surrounding add to the magnificence of the structure. In Nepal, this type of architecture was popular during the 17th and 18th century. Krishna Mandir of Patan, built by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, is a typical example of shikar style. Brahma temple in Pashupatinath and Mahabauddha temple in Patan which uses bricks are also built in this style.

Dome style and Mughal styles are also used in Nepali architecture. Several temples and houses in Nepal are also built in Buddhist dome style and Islamic Mugal style Janaki temple in janakpuris a magnificent temple built in Mughal style. In modern period architecture began to be influenced by the European style. Singha Durbar, Thapathali Durbar, Shree Mahal, Rani Mahal etc are among the beautiful palaces of the period.

Promotion and preservation

Nepali art and culture are highly reflected in the painting, sculpture and architectures. Outside influence is growing in our architecture. Our art and culture are our important heritage and it must be preserved. There are few people who are professionally engaged in traditional painting and sculptures with the number of tourist growing they are doing well. Some individuals and organizations are working in the field of preservation of Nepali art and culture. A college of fine arts (Lalitkala Campus) in Kathmandu is giving education. Nepal Academy, Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) etc are also contributing. Department of Archaeology, a government agency, is working in the exploration and preservation of things and places of archaeological significance. The efficiency of these existing organizations and their number need to be increased for better promotion and preservation of our art and culture.

Things to remember
  • By architecture, we mean the art of building houses, palaces, temples, forts etc. The art of building dates back to the ancient age.
  • Pagoda architecture is multi-storied. Its roofs, originally made of gold, bronze or brass, get narrower from the lower to the higher and the top is usually a golden gajur (pinnacle).
  • Like others aspects of art, Nepali architecture is noted for its originality and magnificence. 
  • Pagoda architecture is multi-storied.
  • Stupa style is a hemispherical dome that keeps pinnacle with Buddha's eyes painted on the outside.
  • Summit building is roofless with several towering and tapering tops with golden pinnacles. 
  • It includes every relationship which established among the people.
  • There can be more than one community in a society. Community smaller than society.
  • It is a network of social relationships which cannot see or touched.
  • common interests and common objectives are not necessary for society.
Videos for Nepalese Architecture(Bastukala)
Architectural exploration in Nepalese Context
Bhaktapur Durbar Square - finest Newari architecture in Nepal
Carving of Buddha statue
Swayambhunath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
Questions and Answers
The traditional architecture of our country is very different and original. The art of buildings dates back to the ancient age. The architecture of our country is explicitly religious and majestic art. Like other art, Nepali architecture is noted for its originality and magnificence. The architecture of Nepal is divided into Pagoda, Stupa and Summit style, where all of them are different and original styles.

The difference are:

Shikhar style Pagoda style
Popular in 17th and 18th century. Started in ancient time and reaches in climax in medieval period in about 13th century.
Veranda on sides, at the top supported by stone carved pillars. Roofs are made of gold, brass, or bronze.
Doors are carved in stones and wood is rarely used. Has wooden and metal carving doors and windows in all sides.
Modern architecture is influenced by European style but traditional architecture are original and are religiously influenced.
Nepali art and culture is important heritage and it must be preserved. It should be preserved as it not only attracts but also preserves our religious values, tradition and norms. Nepali art and culture is influenced by religion and is original and if it is not preserved then the originality gets destroyed. The art and culture is also an alternative way to teach our future generation the value of our culture and tradition. We can preserve our art and culture by educating people about the importance of them. Art and cultural programs should held time to time to give knowledge of the culture.
  • Pashupatinath = Pagoda style
  • Krishna mandir = Pagoda style
  • Kasthamandap = Pagoda style
  • Nyatapola = Pagoda style
  • Bauddhanath = Stupa style
  • Manakamana = Pagoda style
  • Janaki mandir = Summit style
  • Narayanhiti palace = Summit style
Architecture is the art of painting, designing and constructing buildings. Nepali architecture is famous all over the world. It has influenced architects from other countries as well. Architecture of ancient and medieval Nepal has been proved scientifically excellent. It is considered as a major part of Nepalese cultural heritage. The agriculture of Nepal can be better understood by dividing and explaining it into four major types.

Pagoda style is our original or Nepalese style. It denotes multi tired temples with large base and proportionately decreasing as we go up, with roof and pinnacle at the top. The ground floor is called sanctum, which consists of the god that is worshipped. The upper storey have space for storing god's property.

The pagoda style is believed to be a refined Chinese or Indian version of Nepal. Man Griha, Kailashkut Bhawan, etc. are the examples of pagoda styles. Pashupatinath temples and Changunarayan temple are also good examples of pagoda style.

The differences are:

Shikhar style Stupa style
1. The Shikhar style looks like the peak of a mountain. 1. Stupa is a shrine with a broad base of its gradual upward narrowing.
2. It is divided into five or nine parts in a vertical manner. 2. It is also termed as Chaitya indicating of consciousness.
3. The topmost part of each structure consists of pinnacle; Krishna temple and Janaki temple are good examples. 3. Stupa means hillock or raised part. Maya Devi, Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath are good examples of stupa style.
The ancient or traditional architecture was widely developed. Temples and different palaces were built in large number. Shikhar style and pagoda style were common to make temples and palaces. Wooden and stone carvings are common. Some examples of ancient architecture are Changunarayan, Nyatapola, Swayambhunath and Krishna temple.

These days temples and palaces are few in number. In modern time, wood and stones are less used. Cement, rod, sand, brick, marble, different colors etc are used in modern architecture. Singha Durbar, Shreemahal, Ranimahal, Kesharmahal, etc. are the models of modern architecture.

Pagoda style is common these days too. When Araniko visited China, he had introduced our own original style of architecture in China. It was more popular at that time. In course of the time, its popularity has not maintained, as it had to be. To keep up its identity alive or make popular worldwide, we can do following tasks:

  • There should be the curriculum of Pagoda style developed for educating theoretically or practically.
  • Its management should be from basic level to higher level.
  • There should be senior and gosthi on pagoda style.
  • The government should make it compulsory to follow pagoda style.
  • If necessary, there should be the modification made on pagoda style.
  • The government should give and advertise the mechanism of pagoda style worldwide.
The specialties of architecture in our country are:
  • Use of stone and wood artistically.
  • Different style of building, temples and palace, some temples are made in Pagoda style, some temples are made in Gumbas style. Pachpannajhyale Durbar, Hanumandhoka, Mangriha, Bhadraniwas and Kailashkut palaces were/are carved with excellent art.
  • Use of excellent skill.
  • Special use of stone, soil, brick, wood, etc. to make temples and palaces durable.
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