RELIGIOUS SITES

There are many places of religious significance in Nepal. The Nepalese temples have outstanding position to introduce art and architecture. If we look at the picture of Kathmandu Valley, we can observe that there were more temples in the Kathmandu Valley than now. That’s why, Kathmandu valley is known as “the home of gods and goddesses” and Nepal is called “the country of temples”. There is a tradition of worship of Shaiva, Boudha, Baishanav and other gods and goddesses from ancient days in Nepal. Besides these, Boudha vihars are also common in Nepal.

Some temples are erected (elevated) by constructing ten to twelve stairs. At the top of the temple, there is a spire. Pagoda and Shikhar are the styles of the temple found in Nepal. The Jaishidewal temple of Kathmandu and the Nyatapol temple of Bhaktapur are its examples. There is Gajur (Crown) on the top of the roof of temples. The stairs are constructed around the temple to protect it from dust, rainwater and damp. There is a large number of Boudha vihar also. The vihar is constructed in the form of a large square platform. Krishna Mandir of Patan is an excellent example of Pagoda style. More often, the statue of Lord Boudha is set in the south ground floor of vihar.