Newari Architecture

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Newari architecture is the architecture developed by Newars. It usually consists of Pagoda, Stupa, Chaitya, Shikhara styles.

Contents 1 Pagoda Style 2 Stupa Style 3 Courtyards 4 City formation 5 See also 6 References

[edit] Pagoda Style

It is the most dominant style of the Newari architecture. It is mostly used to build temples and less often towers of palaces. Almost all the major Newari temples are built in pagoda style. The locales of Kathmandu valley believe that this style of architecture was developed in Kathmandu valley and then exported to various parts of the world by Nepalese architects most notably by Arniko. Although the majority of the temples constructed in this style are dedicated to Hindu deities, a sizable number of pagoda temples are Buddhist temples as well. Most prominent Newari (Nepali) structures built in pagoda style are:-

• Pashupatinath temple
• Taleju Bhawani temple
• Nine storied tower of Kathmandu Darbar Square
• Nyatapola temple
• Kumbeshwor temple
• Nhugha dega temple
• Changunarayan temple
• Chandeshwari temple
• Kasthamandap satal
• Muktinath temple
• Naradevi temple
• Narayanhiti Royal Palace

[edit] Stupa Style

Stupa style is also very common in Newari architecture. It is exclusively used for consturcting sites of Buddhist pilgrimage. The most noteworthy of stupas are:-

• Baudhhanath stupa
• Swayambhunath stupa
• Sheeghal bihara stupa
• The five stupas of Patan (constructed by Ashoka)
• Dhando chaitya
• Tukabahal stupa

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[edit] Courtyards

The basic unit of Newari cities are courtyards. Depending on the size, utility and various other entities, the courtyards are classified as:

• Nanee
• Bahal
• Chuka
• Sagal

[edit] City formation

The Newari cities consist of

• Living spaces in the form of courtyards surrounded by houses
• Alleys and roads of varying sizes
• Source of water in the form of ponds, groundwater taps (Lwon Hiti)
• Temples
• Open air theaters called Dabu
• Viharas

The cities are planned according to Tantric methods with some Vedic influence. The cities are formed in a definite shape and houses a number of courtyard according to Tantra. The individual courtyards house people of certain castes and the location of the courtyard according to caste is managed Vedically. The city of Kathmandu (Yen) was formed for the purpose of trade. So, according to Tantrik method, the city margins were constructed in the shape of a Khadga and the main city in the shape of a circle.¹ Patan (Yala) was formed with four stupas on four corners and a stupa in the center. Bhaktapur (Khwapa) was formed in the shape of a Mandala.

[edit] See also

• Newar
• Bahal

[edit] References

1. Kantipur -Basu Pasa