EXCURSION TO BHAKTAPUR

After the completion of chapter of Traditional Timber Construction of the Building Construction,
we along with our subject teacher Ar. Ajay Silwal and our design teacher Ar. Subash Phuyal
went to an excursion to Bhaktapur. It was the first excursion of third year first part.
The main aim of the trip was to gain knowledge of traditional timber construction from
craftsman in. Our college bus was arranged for the trip. We firstly visited Bhaktapur Durbar
Square. There we watched different components of timber construction. We took some of the
photographs. Then we headed to timber workshop, where we were grouped as only 15 members
could enter the place at once. We were first group to enter the workshop. No cameras were
allowed there. Craftsmen were working on lattice window construction. The house that housed
the workshop was built in 13th century. It was a beautiful elegant house which had a central
courtyard. It was built in traditional style. The Nepali woodcraft tradition has three types of
craftsmen: the designers, the woodcarvers, traditionally from the Silapakar family and the
carpenters, commonly called sikarmi.
Besides the technical construction of timber, we got to learn also about the traditional timber
window of korea. Windows have different significance and purpose. Window is regarded as a
face of a devotee. Thus a window has a kol the front face of the kopu (lintel) which have
carvings representing hairs or clouds. kol is the eye-lid in the face design. At the top layer of
it, there is mikhphusi (eyebrow). Below the kol at the top sill of the caukot (frame) of a
window, there is a sinha (sacred mark) in the middle, generally a figure of a god, or third eye is
carved at this point. Below the mark (the point where the panels (khps) of a door join, there is
the nhe nose which has the design of a sword or crocodile. At the bottom sill, between the
base of the lateral vertical columns there is a carved elevated portion. It is known as calu, seems
to be like the chin in the face-design. There is also a figure of a god in the middle. Or, there is a
garuda with two snakes caught on its legs.
On the vertical columns (stambha) and sub-columns (upastambha) are commonly the pnasa
(ceremonial oil-lamp) and prakalaa (ceremonial water-jar). The minacos make the ears to the
face-design. These are seen in between the top and the bottom horns attached to the vertical
columns. The horn is called laco which is artistically carved magala (sacred emblem) - a snake
or a branch of a tree, or a plant with flowers and leaves. Some windows have got tympanum
(toraa) over it. It is another most important part of the Nepalese architecture. An exhaustive
essay can be written about its arts and significances. As there are the flying creatures and pulling
animals at the base of the vertical columns, windows are the symbols of the air and land vehicles
mounted and driven by the gods and goddesses. So, the windows are very often symbolic to the
gods and goddess with their respective mounts. A particular number of the windows placed on
one line in the house or temple also indicate some religious significance.

TRADITIONAL TIMBER CONSTRUCTION

Thus different components have different symbolism and meanings. This trip was very helpful
for us. Lastly, I would like to thank Ajay sir for the trip and giving us the opportunity to
understand the theory chapter together with the site visit. It will be the most memorable chapter
of the entire course.