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Nepali Art

The earliest exa1nples of Nepali art date back to the Licchavi period
(430-879 CE). We have many examples of Nepali art in paintings,
sculptures, and architecture. However, we have only sculptures

available frmn ancient tin1es. Art historians believe there was
sculpture practice in Nepal before the Common Era (BCE).

Though we have dated artifacts fron1 the
Licchavi period, we still need evidence of
the art of Kirats, who ruled Nepal before the
Licchavis. Hence, we have no artifacts to

claim as Kiratis to date. The terracotta and
stone figurines excavated fron1 Lun1bini and
Tilaurakot are some exa1nples of ancient
Nepali sculptures. These figurines are of
Yaksha, the sun god, mother goddess, and
Nandi.
Statue of Birupaksha

God Bishnu in Budhanilkantha

Son1e scholars believe that the statue of Virupakshya fron1
PashupatiAryaghat is the oldest sculpture and claim it to be of
the Kirat period.

We have many exa1nples of sculptures of the Licchavi period.

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