Kasthamandap

Kasthamandap was a three-storied public shelter that included a shrine consecrated to Gorakshanath situated at Maru, Kathmandu, Nepal. Several myths and stories about the date of the construction of the Kasthamandap Temple have been resolved with the recent archeological findings. The newly discovered objects during the excavation here in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake have suggested that the Kasthamandap may have been built in the 7th century during the Lichhavi era.

1. Kastamandapa Presented By: Abhishek Maharjan Roll no: 073BAE202

2. What is Mandapa ? Traditional Nepali resthouse which is free of charge to traveler. They are donated by wealthy individuals, religious groups or families. The mandapa is a square, single or several storeyed building which servers many functions similar to those of a pati ; yet it was mainly designed to be used as a community or reception hall.

3. It is a free standing open pavilion, facilitating larger gatherings of people around or within it. Mandapa is originated from a Sanskrit word means “A temporary platform or sacred tent used for a wedding or other religious ceremony” Mani Mandapa

4. Some Examples of Mandapa

5. Sattal,Dattatreya Dega

6. Laxminarayan Sattal

7. Kastamandapa

8. Kasthamandapa (wooden hall) Largest mandapa and unique in both in form and structure. Oldest mandapa in the whole of the valley. It has also been known as Maru Sattal since the 16 th century. Legend has it that the timber used in the construction of Kasthamandapa came from a single tree.

9. Moreover, that the Sikhamu Bahil and the Sinha Sattal were built from the remaining wood of same tree. Kastamandapa Sinha Sattal Sikhamu Bahil

10. Kasthamandap occupies a central location in Kathmandu valley, at the intersection of two ancient towns known as Koligrama and Daksina (south) Koligrama (and later as Yambu and Yangal ). Moreover , Kasthamandap sits squarely at the crossroads of the ancient trade route that connected India with Tibet and the principal North-South road of Kathmandu. Within a few yards of Kasthamandap , and also flanking the ancient crossroads sit two other sattals , Laksmi Narayana Sattal (17th c) and Silyan ( Singha ) Sattal (16th c, although legend claims this one is as old as the original Kasthamandap ). Together , the three sattals at the heart of the valley must have catered to the traffic at the crossroads

11. Function Traditional Nepali resthouse which is free of charge to traveler. It is a free standing open pavilion, facilitating larger gatherings of people around or within it. A temporary platform or sacred tent used for a wedding or other religious ceremony

12. Construction The building consists of three large open halls, set one on top of the other. The brick quoins of the ground and first floors are not intended to divide the halls into sections but are merely necessary parts of structural design. All three storeys are open hall ways with no divisions for rooms or cellas .

13. Ground Floor First Floor Second Floor

14. Many of its supporting columns, especially the four 7 metre high centre posts appear to be among the oldest timber structures in the valley. In contrast to the ordinary temple, the Kasthamandapa has a wide wooden stairway leading to the first floor, and a flimsy ladder leads to the second floor.

15. Ground Floor Plan South-North Section

16. The Kasthamandapa is erected on a base of 18.7m X 18.73m and 16.3m in height. Its construction demonstrates a very systhematic way of collection of loads and their distribution through posts and walls to the foundations. The core of the ground floor of the building is formed by four massive wooden posts, on which again the four posts of the first floor rest. But in the second floor, there is a different grouping of columns around each of these cores, set to bear the load of the three wide overhanging roofs.

17. Ground Floor First Floor Second Floor

18. South-North Section

19. Frieze details from Kasthamandap : a group of monks worshipping the Buddhist stupa (above) and another group of devotees worshipping the Shiva Linga (below)

20. Capital of one of the four central ground-floor pillars Nath yogi performs puja (worship) of the Gorakshyanath statue

21. Current Situation Kasthamandapa has been collapsed in April 2015 Earthquake. Reconstruction of Kasthamandap temple finally began today three years after the devastating earthquakes of 2015.

22. Conclusion Largest mandapa and Oldest mandapa in the whole of the valley. Legend has it that the timber used in the construction of Kasthamandapa came from a single tree. Traditional Nepali resthouse which is free of charge to traveler. A temporary platform or sacred tent used for a wedding or other religious ceremony The building consists of three large open halls, set one on top of the other. Its construction demonstrates a very systhematic way of collection of loads and their distribution through posts and walls to the foundations.

23. Kasthamandap was a public sattal that gave Kathmandu its name and its very identity.   Kasthamandap was at least 900 years old and possibly more than a thousand, at the time of the 2015 earthquakes. Itwastherefore the oldest building in Kathmandu and anywhere in the entire surrounding Valley. It was also the largest traditionalbuilding .   Kasthamandap , occupying the heart of present-day Kathmandu, is an integral part of Nepal's heritage. It lived through the evolution of Kathmandu, and was an active participant in it. Moreover, Kasthamandap likely served as an early prototype for rest-houses to fulfill various religious and cultural requirements of an evolving city nucleus during the Transitional and early Malla periods .   As such, it is also one of the most important buildings in the history and development of traditional Newar architecture. Let us locate the treasures lost in the debris of Kasthamandap , and let us rebuild it back to its original iconic status. Modern engineering technologies can make the structure earthquake-resistant, while also respecting important local beliefs and building practices. If we do not act, a significant part of Nepal's heritage will be lost forever.