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heritage of laltipur continued part 2

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2.2 Stone TemplesThe Shikhara shrines are much smaller in number than the sloping roof and multi roofed temples. Even so most of them date from medieval period. Though the multi roofed style were more prominent and prevalent in the Kathmandu valley it co existed with Shikhara style. The Shikhara is interpreted as mountain peak towered temple generally made of stone and some times brick believed to have been developed in Gupta India about 6th century A.D.The elementary form of the temple is a small square cellar surmounted by a tapering tower together symbolizing caves and mountains. The temple is usually elevated on a steeped plinth followed by a number of molded courses. In most cases, small Deval is attached on all four sides of the main tower. Sometimes two or three small Devals are built in all sides of the tower at the ground level. The main Shikhara tapers on the top and terminates in a flattened ripped disc known as Amalaka. The Gajur is surmounted on the top of the Amalaka.The best example of the Shikhara shrine made of stone are Cyasing Deval and Krishna Mandir of Patan Durbar Square. Krishna Mandir was built in N.S. 757 (1636 A.D.) by King Siddhinarasimha Malla. This is one of the finest stone structures in whole Nepal. The temple is constructed over three stepped platforms. It has columned arcade circumbulating the ground floor and on the first floor a row of mini Shikharas. The main shrine is located on the first floor. This temple is classified as of international importance that is in A category.Thirty-four stone temples in the city of Lalitpur have been identified. The ownership of the temples is taken by Shresthas, Bajracharyas, Shakyas and Guthi as well. These temples have been categorized into three groups, A, B and C, according to the Ancient Monument Act of 2013 5th Amendment. Most of the stone temples fall in local category that is category C. The detail information regarding the stone temples its location, ownership and category are given in Annex I.2.3 Pati and GateThere are number of Patis (or Sattals or Chappa), which are the public rest house of the early days in the city of Lalitpur. In early days, apart from providing resting place for the tradesmen and travelers, they used to be the place for socio-cultural gatherings and functions and were important component of the urban settlement.In early days, the cities and settlements of Kathmandu Valley had a definite city boundary beyond which the expansion rarely occurred. There were well laid roads within them and the major road that lead to places outside the city and surrounding lands would have artistic gates constructed to mark the point of entry and exit to and from the city. In the city of Lalitpur there used to be 21 artistic gates in the city (Annex I). Patan Dhoka that still exists today is one of them.2.4 Stone Water ConduitFrom the ancient times man has always tried to have water nearby. In the same context, the people of Kathmandu valley have managed to bring water through stone water spout. Water spout are highly decorative elements representing the old culture and civilization fulfilling the water demands till date.Hitis exhibits the glorious past architectural development in urban design of valley cities. Hiti is a legacy of past working till date in many situations showing great engineering feat of our ancestors. Tusa Hiti in Mangal Bazaar is the highest epoch of stone water spout. Manga Hiti is the oldest one dating 570 A.D (492 Baisakh)The water spouts were designed with their own source, often in the hinterland of the Patan city. There existed extensive network of canals (Rajkulo) for transportation to the city. Large-scale urban reservoirs (Pokhari) also existed which are believed to play an important role in charging ground water table and thus formed an important element of the entire water network consisting of Hitis and wells. Naricha, Nayekhyo, KhwayeBaha has been confirmed as major aquifers in Laitpur.In Lalitpur there are fifty six stone water spouts (source: LSMC). Of these, 28 of are running satisfactorily and there is sufficient amount of water flow in the taps. There is very little flow of water in 12 but it increases during the rainy season. There is no flow of water in 4 water spouts and thus requires proper maintenance including cleaning of the source. The rest are said to have been filled up and covered according to the local people. However, some of these could also be restored for cultural preservation if not for functional use. The location and condition and distribution of the spouts in each ward are given in Annex I.2.5 Pond (Pokhari) and WellThere are altogether 25 Ponds (Pokharis). Major ones are Prayag, Jawaklakhel and PimBahal Pokhari. in the past there used to be many more ponds within the historic city of Lalitpur, which were a vital element of its traditional water supply system. However, many of them have vanished due to drying up, encroachment, and lack of proper maintenance and attention.As a vital element of traditional water supply system, the city of Lalitpur has 226 wells, many of which are in good condition. However, these wells do not include those built in recent times by the individuals. The traditional wells were often located at courtyards and public spaces and used by the whole community, only few were private owned.2.6 Ashok StupaAccording to legend five Stupas were built by Ashoka, the Mauryan King of India, while he was visiting Patan on a pilgrimage. At that time Nepal was ruled by the Kirati Kings. These Stupas were often built upon a mound of earth covered with grass. The four Ashokan Stupas in Lalitpur are at Lagankhel in the south, Imadol in the east, IBahi in the north and Pulchowk in the west.2.7 Bahal and BahiThe Newar Buddhist Monastery, with its associated cult objects, is the focus of Buddhism in Patan. The monastery has developed out of an ancient Buddhist design, consisting of a two storey building made up of open halls around a square courtyard. This courtyard is characteristically set back from the road, contrasting from the Hindu temples set up on a multiple plinths in the street and at the crossroads. The Bahals consists of Buddha shrine opposite to the entrance, and sometimes there is also a Ganesh or even a Harati temple.The Newar Buddhist monasteries have at least one and usually many Chaityas. These are the basic Buddhist cult object, depicting Buddhas on its four sides, and whose forms have gone through long and complex architectural and iconographic evolutions. There are 16 main Bahals in Patan followed with 13 Bahis. Both Bahal and Bahis areas have also been classified according to the national and international importance in category A, B and C.According to DOA Kwa Baha, UkuBaha, HaBaha and GujiBaha are classified in category A as they have been able to retain the features typical of Baha courtyards. BhincheBaha, BuBaha, SuBaha are classified in category B. Similarly TagaBaha, and TaBaha are listed separately and classified as category C. The ownership of majority of the Bahals belongs to the Sangha.The most ancient architectural form is preserved in the Bahi type. Bahi, which have retained their classic form, are CikaBahi, IbaBahi, JyaBahi, NakaBahi, NhaykaBahi, UbaBahi, IBahi, PintuBahi and KontiBahi. Many Bahis are in a state of collapse. Among these are KhvayBahi, KhvayBahi Cidhagu, IlaBahi and KinuBahi. Some Bahis have been taken over by their members. This has happened in Mul GuitaBahi, GustalaBahi, ThapaBahi, DhapagaBahi and Kvecvagu etc.PintuBahi, NakaBahi, NhaykaBahi are classified in category A. Although in bad state of repair Pintu Bahi preserves the most typical architectural features of Bahi architecture.2.8 Description of ViharsA. Shankerdev Samskarita Mayurvarna Mahavihara (Bhinche Baha)BhincheBaha is located north-east of Sundhara. This Baha has a large courtyard, brick paved and well maintained. The main shrine of Kwapadyo consists of three storey pagoda with a pinnacle or Gajura. The shrines main entrance faces west. The courtyard is decorated with Dharmadhatumandala, Vajradhatu, three Chaityas, and one Chaitya Stambha. The Sansrit name for this Bahal is Shankerdev Samskarit Mayurvarna Mahavihar.B. Indradev SamskaritaJay Manohar Varma Mahavoihara (Su Baha)Su Baha is considered as one of the ten most ancient Bahas. This Bahal is situated in an entirely closed courtyard in Su Baha Tole, one of the oldest parts of Patan. Two Licchavi Chaityas are found in the Baha, which has an inscription on it. The inscription does not mention the Baha but its presence indicates the antiquity of the site. The main shrine of the Baha faces west with its entrance marked by two stone lions and two bells. The shrine has well carved struts and the courtyard retains its Pasukajhyah with representation of Buddha above.The Baha is taken care of by the Sangha which is initiated by the Sixty Shakyas. The members of the Sangha take turn every eight days, from eldest to youngest to serve as Dyopalas. Originally the site of the Bahal is said to be a cremation Ghat.C. Baladhar Gupta SamskaritaBaladhar Gupta Mahavihara (Yachhu Bahal)YachhuBaha is said to have been founded by Baladhar Gupta and named after him as Baladhar Gupta Mahavihara. This is a small Baha situated in a courtyard just north of the Sundhara area. The Baha is taken care of by the Sangha members. There is one Sangha of five initiated members. They take turns serving as a Dyopala in the temple of Kwapadyo . The annual festival of the Baha is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Magh. Very little is known about the history of this Bahal. Some say that the orphaned people of Uku Bahal had no means of support so they were given this Bahal as means of support. The Baha was then renovated with the help of the Uku Baha Sangha.D. Divya diwakar SamskaritaShree Vaisyavarna Mahavihara (Guji Baha)Guji Baha was founded by Vaisya Diwakar Varma. This Baha is located in Sundhara area. The Licchavi style Chaitya mark the north entrance of the Bahal. The earliest of this Bahal is given on the manuscript of N.S. 373 (1253 A.D.) from the time of Abhay Malla. The main shrine of Kwapadyo is a well preserved three-storied shrine. The Baha is taken care of by the Sangha members. The Sangha of this Bahal consists of about 150 Shakyas. They serve as Dyopalas in the Kwapadyo shrine in order of seniority in fifteen days interval. The priest of Bu Bahal performs the rituals whenever a Bajracharya is required.E. Shivadev Samskarita Rudravarna Mahavihara (Uku Bahal)Uku Baha was founded by Shivadeva Varma. The Bahal was said to be later renovated by Rudradev so it is named as Shivadev Samskarita Rudravarna Mahavihara. The Bahal was established in Wankuli area so also known as Wankuli Bihar. Later the name changed to Wankuli- Unkuli- Uku Bahal. This is one of the best-preserved Bahals of Patan with the second largest Sangha and greatest number of branches. It is said that the residents of this Bahal are shifted to a separate place so that the Bahal could be preserved as a shrine.The main shrine of Kwapadyo is facing north with two-gilded copper roof. The Kwapadyo is a statue of Aksobya. The courtyard is full of figures like bronze images, pair of winged horses, Garuda, pair of horned horses, lions. The courtyard also contains the statue of Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher who donated money for the repair of the Bahal after the earthquake in 1934.F. Balarcana Dev Samskarita Jyesthavarna Mahavihara (Tanga Bahal)Tanga Baha is also known as Caku Baha. The Sanskrit name of the Baha is Jyesthavarna Mahavihara. It is located on the east side of the road leading south from Patan Durbar. The main shrine of the Baha is a small two-tiered freestanding temple within an enclosed courtyard. The main shrine houses a small red image of Padmapani Lokesvara, popularly referred to as Caku Baha Dya or Minnath. Some say that the name is derived from the word Caku, which means molasses, which, is offered to the god. Others speculate that it is derived from Newari word for sparrow (Chakuncha), because the location is supposed to have been chosen by sparrows.The image is also called the Jatadhari Lokesvara and is the Kwapadyo of the Sangha of the Baha. The shrine of the Baha faces west. The courtyard is full of Chaityas and a Dharmadhatumandala. The northeast corner of the courtyard has an open shrine dedicated to Janmadvara. On the southern side an old building exists which is also known as the Dyochhen of Vasundhara. The earliest inscription found there is dated N.S. 245 (1125 A.D.) which was put there while installing a golden Gajura.