JAP | ENG
Nepal Travelogue
1991 #2/4
Boudhanath Stupa UNESCO World Heritage Site
Swayambhunath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is said to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Nepal in the Kathmandu Valley.
Photo of author, 1991
Buddha’s eyes looking out over the world.
Photo by author, 1991
The earthquake in Nepal in April 2015 also struck Boudhanath, a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism.
Boudhanath is also famous for its huge stupa, but the golden top part, which is painted with Buddha eyes on all four sides, collapsed due to the earthquake!
Photo by author, 1991
There were monks dressed in Tibetan Buddhist robes.
Photo by author, 1991
Lalitpur, City of Beauty
Patan (also known as Lalitpur) is said to be the oldest town in the Kathmandu Valley, founded by King Ashoka in 299. It is located beyond the South Bakmati River (see below) in the capital city of Kathmandu.
Durbar means court / Palace in Nepalese.
Patan Durbar Square. (Patan Old Royal Palace Square)
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site
The area around Durbar Square (Patan) is full of former royal palaces and temples built by the Newar people from the 16th to the 18th centuries, all of which are examples of Newari architecture.
Eighty percent of the people living in Patan are Newars, and there are still workshops and art galleries there today.
Photo by author, 1991
Who are the Newar tribe?
The Newar people maintain a high level of written culture and are active in a wide range of fields, from agriculture, commerce, education, and government to medicine, law, religion, architecture, art, and literature.
The word “Nepal” is used to refer to both the Newar Kingdom and the Newar tribe.
The Newar people maintain a high level of written culture and are active in a wide range of fields, from agriculture, commerce, education, and government to medicine, law, religion, architecture, art, and literature.
The word “Nepal” is used to refer to both the Newar Kingdom and the Newar tribe.
Newar architecture
Newar architecture has had a great influence on the Asian pagoda architecture from ancient times to modern times. The Newar people’s wood carving techniques and metal crafts are also world-famous.
The beautiful temples and royal palaces in Kathmandu, Patan, other cities were mainly designed by Newar architects and artists.
Photo by author, 1991
Tibetan Buddhist temples are concentrated around Durbar Square (Patan).
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
The beauty of the hipped roof
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
The beauty of window frames and door frames
It can be seen that the woodcarvers of Kathmandu and Patan concentrate an extraordinary amount of energy on the construction of window frames.
Photo by author, 1991
You can fully enjoy the beauty of Nepalese architecture and sculptures, including the magnificent wood carving decorations.
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
A striking wood sculpture supporting the corners of the roof
Photo by author, 1991
Colored parapet and wall niches
Photo by author, 1991
Photo by author, 1991
The Royal Palace’s “Royal Bath”
In the old royal palace of Sundari Chowk, there is a royal bathing place called Tusha Hiti, also known as the “Royal Bath”.
A rare Newar work of art was found at a Newar stone-ditch waterhole.
Photos by author, January 1991
