The Architecture

The Architecture

Hey!! Everyone, Hope everyone liked my first Post about the City.. This one is a special one as it is about the Nepalese architecture which is famous all over the world but something which people are unaware 

about..So,let's explore the traditional architecture of Nepal..

Nepalese Architecture can be divided into Pagoda Style, Vernacular style, Stupa style and Sikhara style. Some of these architectures can be found in Kathmandu City, Bhaktapur City and Lalitpur City in Nepal. Lot of tourists flock to these places to witness the magnificient architecture which dates back to ancient period and is one of the most important part of Nepali history. 

A traditional Nepali House

The Style

Pagoda Style : This style refers to multi-roofed structures with wide eaves supported by carved wooden struts. Windows, either latticed or grilled, are usually projecting, while the roof is generally topped off by triangular spires enclosing an inverted bell of stucco or burnished gold. The pagoda style shows the finest specimens of the architectural genius of Nepal. The style was later adopted in China and from there spread to other Asian countries.

Pagoda style architecture

Stupa Style : The Swayambhu and Boudhanath Shrines are Nepal's first examples of stupa or Chaitya style. This style is purely Buddhist in concept and execution. The outstanding feature of stupas is a hemispherical mound topped by a square base supporting a series of thirteen circular rings. Narrowing towards the top these are crowned by parasol. The four sides of the square base or the Harmika, as it is called, are painted with pairs of mystic "all-seeing eyes."

Boudhanath Stupa

The Shikhara Style : The Shikhara style forms yet another architectural design found in Nepal. The super-structure of this style is a tall curvilinear or pyramidal tower whose surface is broken up vertically into five or nine sections. The final section consists of a bell-shaped part at the top.

Krishna Mandir (Patan)

The Vernacular Style : This particular architecture is the base and symbol of any Nepali architecture. It can be seen in villages of Nepal as their traditional houses and few of these can be seen in the City as well. Vernacular architecture is influenced by a great range of different aspects of human behaviour and environment, leading to differing building forms for almost every different context. It  is a category of architecture based on localized needs and construction material, and reflecting local traditions. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural, technological, and historical  context in which it exists.

Vernacular style a typical Nepali house in a Village

Tips ( Where and How can you reach these places)

Pagoda style : This architecture can be seen all over The kathmandu Valley. Some of the best examples of pagoda style architecture are Kathmandu Durbar Square and Pashupatinath Temple.

Stupa Style : This style is famosu among Buddhist Communities and the best examples of these styles are Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambunath. 

The Shikhara Style : Krishna Mandir located in Lalitpur City, Patan is the best example of this style. Lalitpur City is located 5km away from Kathmandu city.