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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