Saturday, May 16, 2015

Kathmandu-A Medieval City On The Brink Of Complete Urbanization



Kathmandu is a medieval city on the brink of complete urbanization. The three cities of Kathmandu valley were once ruled by three different kings. Their palaces stand in the Kathmandu valley to this day, deemed world heritage sites by the UNESCO. Tourists are advised to visit these places even if they are only planning for trekking in Nepal. The period of their regime has also been considered as the golden period for the evolution of art and architecture.

The durbar (palace) squares of the three ancient kingdoms are situated in the center of all three cities; Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. With the craftsmanship and the intricate woodwork, the temples and other medieval buildings are really attractive.

Ancient cities of Kathmandu comprised of rectangular brick houses and brick-paved roads that ran along and between the houses. The houses had porches with a row of carved wooden pillars and courtyards in between them.  The courtyards of the kings had columns with the statues of the kings facing the palaces and the palaces had a lot of temples surrounding them.

The major attraction in durbar square of Bhaktapur is Nyatapola; the five-storey temple built by King Bhupatindra Malla in pagoda style. Then there is the Krishna Temple in Patan durbar square which is believed to have been carved with a single stone. Built in the Indian Shikharini style of architecture, the temple looks auspicious with its detailed stone carvings of gods.

Apart from that, the collection of artifacts from King Tribhuwan’s life in Hanuman Dhoka museum at Basantapur gives us an insight on the Shah regime.





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