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Lesson Nepali Architecture (Vastukala)
3.3

FACTS Nyatapole temple of Bhaktapur built in pagoda style
to Understand was constructed in 1701-1702 AD (BS 1758-1759).

The style in which a building is designed and constructed especially relating to a
specific period, place of culture is called architecture. Our architecture is renowned
for its originality and speciality. It reflects Nepalese lifestyle. In Nepali language
“Vaastu” means a place of dwelling and “Kala” means art. So the word “Vastukala”
means the art of dealing with a place of dwelling. So architecture means the art of
building houses, palaces, temples, monasteries, forts, inns, etc. in a good design.

An ancient architecture is a very important cultural heritage of Nepal. The existing
temples, palaces and other buildings of Nepal exhibit an outstanding piece of
Nepali architecture. As painting and sculpture, architecture is also paramount and
scientifically the best in Nepal. On the basis of style, Nepalese architecture is divided
into five categories. They are:
1. The Pagoda style 2. The Stupa or Chaitya style
3. The Shikhar style 4. Mughal style and
5. European style

1. The Pagoda Style

This is considered to have
been introduced to Nepal in the
th
13 century during the Lichchhavi
period. The pagoda style of
architecture means the multi-
storyed temples. It is a form of a
tall tower with several levels, each
of which has its own roof which
stretches over the floor below. Its
roofs are originally made of gold, Pashupatinath Temple
bronze or brass. The ground in
which building is made is little raised with some carved steps decorated with images
on both sides. The important elements of pagoda style are Tundals which contain
beautiful carving at three levels. They are trees and trailers on the top deities in the
middle and human beings or animals on its bottom. Doors and windows on all sides
have wooden carving and further decorated by Torans in arches.
In pagoda style, gajur and pinnacle are the places on the top. The gods and goddesses
to be worshipped are placed in the ground floor. The upper stories have some space
for storing the properties that belong to the temple.

87 Dynamic Social Studies - Book IX