This document provides an overview of Nepalese architecture. It discusses the geographical, climatic, geological, historical and religious influences on architectural styles. Key points include: - The blending of Indian and Chinese influences due to Nepal's location between the two cultures. - The use of wood, stone, bricks and tiles in construction. - Iconic stupas, temples and multi-tiered pagoda roof structures. - Intricately carved woodwork, windows and metal ornamentation. - Important religious sites like Swayambhunath, Bodnath and Pashupatinath temples in Kathmandu.

1. Tom Demsey Photo@seek.com

6. Village of Namche Bazaar, Sagarmath
National Park, in the Himalaya of eastern Nep

7. SWAYAMBHUNATH, Kathmandu

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

9. ARCHITECTURE IN NEPAL
History of Architecture 3
Prepared by:
Archt. Clarissa L. Avendaño
1st sem AY 2012-2013

10. 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

11. I. GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCES
•
Total land area is 147,181 square kilometers
•
Three old capitals
– Katmandu
– Patan
– Bhadgaon

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. II. GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
•
WOOD
•
METALS copper,
•
NATURAL
used as columns ,beams,
rafters and for construction of doors,
windows and stairs.
iron, brass, bronze
were commonly used.
As
it
was
expensive it was used on religious and
door facings, lattice- works, door latches.
STONE sedimentary
rocks or metamorphic stone gathered
from the quarries situated on the north
and south sides of mountain slopes.
•
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sirensongs/557264719/in/photostream
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.

16. 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.)

17. 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

18. Chomrong (Nepal)
Prayer Manis
• Temples,
Buddha with third eye on his forehead symbolizes enlightenment in both Buddhism
and Hinduism.
shrines, monuments and
monasteries are extremely active with
devotees burning butter-lamps, singing
hymns, chiming temple bells and playing
drums.

20. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
•
Drawn from both cultures – India
and China
•
Characteristic architectural heritage:
1. STUPAS/CHORTEN – oldest monuments
2. TEMPLES

21. SWAYAMBHUNATH, Kathmandu

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

23. Patan Bhai Dega temple
Luhan Dega Temple
Sikhara type Temple

24. MULTI-TIERED TEMPLES
Maju Dega, Kathmandu
plan and section
Traditional Materials and Construction
Technologies used in the Kathmandu Valley
Caterina Bonapace and Valerio Sestini

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. DURBAR SQUARE
•generic name used to describe plazas
opposite old royal palaces in Nepal.
Kathmandu
Bhaktapur
Patan

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 
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

31. 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.
•
http://vaastukala.blogspot.com/2008/08/traditional-newar-houses-of-nepal.html
Protect brick walls in mud
mortar from the rain and
sun: Overhang:
• Dwelling - 1000mm
• Vihara - 1500mm
• Temples-up to 4000 mm.

32. ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTER
 Windows
screens.
have
intricate
lattice
http://www.nepalesecultureandtourism.com/2011/04/nepalese-icon.html
LABORATE WOOD-CARVING ON
BHAIRAN TEMPLE AT BHATGAON.

33. 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.

34. 
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

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

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

38. http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/nepal/swayambhunath_stupa.html
Sacred hill and temple of Swayambhunath, Kathmandu, Nepal

39. KATHMANDU SWAYAMBHUNATH Painting By Thubten Yeshe Sherpa, Namche Bazaar

40. SWAYAMBHUNATH, Kathmandu

41. 1. SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA, Katmandu
• Originally an Ashoka tumulus on a hill
• Stands on a low narrow plinth (base or podium)

43. http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/nepal/swayambhu
nath_stupa.html
Stairway to Swayambhunath temple
Swayambhunath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

45. http://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/EarlyAmericas/Interactives/HeavensA
ndEarth/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.”

46. • “All Seeing One” embossed in metal and ivory on each of the 4 sides.

48. http://www.worldhum.com/photos/photo/swayambhunath-temple-kathmandu-nepal-20090327/

49. http://www.choicesadoption.ca/international/ics_nepal_home.php

50. Swayambhunath

51. BODHNATH, Katmandu
• 3 platforms - 12.0 m. high
• 14.0 m. high spire resembling the finial of
Swayambhunath

52. BODHNATH
Katmandu
• Revered by Buddhist as
well as Nepalese Hindus.
• Gaya-jatri - festival
worship the holy cows.
to

58. Entrance area of a Buddhist temple
Huge Buddha with Dalai Lama portrait

61. Temple in Kathmandu

62. Kathmandu Temple

63. Blending Nepali and classical architecture - Kathmandu, Nepal

64. EXAMPLES:
PATAN
• Lalitpur (the city of beauty) – ancient name
• Circular in shape and situated about 3 miles southeast 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.

65. 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
Kingdom
bell
in
the
6. Pagodas and Sikhara temples
whole

66. Lunch on the roof looking at the old Palace- Patan

67. 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

68. 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.

71. Golden Gate
• Dates from the reign
of Raja Ranjit Malla in
1786 AD.
• Famous as the richest
piece of art in the
whole
Kingdom.

72. 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.

73. Statue of
Bhupatindra Malla
• Famous for its arts
in column.
• Erected by Raja
Yaksha Malla in
1427 A.D.

74. Bhairavnath temple

75. 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

77. 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.

78. Nepal, Kathmandu - Pashupatinath
http://wallpapers.free-review.net/63__Nepal,_Kathmandu_-_Pashupatinath.htm

79. 5. BHAIRAB TEMPLE
The Kali (black) Bhairab is one of Shiva's forms.

81. CHANGU NARAYAN TEMPLE
Kathmandu Valley
•
One of the oldest Hindu
temples of the valley
dedicated to Vishnu
constructed in the 3rd c.

87. 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.

88. 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.

89. PLAN

90. ELEVATION
SECTION

91. End of Nepalese Architecture
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Picturesque_Nepal/Chapter_5

95. Bamiyan valley

96. 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.

97. 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

98. 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.

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