Architecture in janakpur in Nepal

RAMJANAKI MARRIED PLACE JAJANKPUR IN MITHILA

One of the most prominent and recurring questions in human life is the one regarding our identity, and as we ask ourselves who we are, we unmistakably reflect back into our past. Today, as we stand in the crossroads between tradition and modernism, the identity of Nepali architecture too faces similar questions. The following pages, is hence an attempt to identify and divulge into our architectural history, identifying sites, structures and people that have played a prominent role in shaping the architectural scene of Nepal.

our description of it is always as a country of diversity, and it is one too! But often we mistake the diversity of Nepal with the diversity of Kathmandu Valley. Perhaps this is triggered by the fact that the Kathmandu Valley was the ‘Nepal Mandala’ of ancient times, and even today is the most prominent cultural, political and business centre of Nepal. Yet, we cannot neglect the fact that the heritage of other parts of Nepal dates back further than that of the valley, and is perhaps more important in understanding the ancient civilizations of our country. For example the cave dwellings of Mustang dates back to c. 4000 B.C. and we understand that the Shakya and Koli towns of Kapilvastu and their architecture existed before the birth of Buddha (6th or 7th century B.C.).

Another prominent site in the development of art and architecture in Nepal is Janakpur, the ancient capital of the Mithila rulers, who pioneered the Mithila arts. Similarly there are many other sites in Nepal, with much architectural as well as archaeological heritage. As we move to the history of Nepal Valley (present day Kathmandu), we can find that much of it is traced in myths and stories, which in itself is an interesting way to pass down the history of a civilization. So it is only becoming that we initiate this journey of understanding our architectural history with the stupa of Swoyambhunath which relates to the creation myth of the valley.Other means by which the rich history of the valley is studied are based on inscriptions, chronology and archaeological remains.

There were five prominent ruling classes in the valley, initially the Kirats, followed by Lichchhavis, who in turn were followed by the Mallas, and finally the combined and separate Rana / Shah reign. Much of the architectural heritage that we see today is from the Malla era, when the three prominent kingdoms, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Patan were in constant competition in terms of building extraordinary structures. This enriched the valley architecture by three folds and luckily the trend of expansion continued towards the Shah reign as well.