Kasthamandap

Kasthamandap (Sanskrit: काष्ठमण्डप, Nepal Bhasa:मरु सत: Maru Satta:; literally "Wood-Covered Shelter") was a three-storied public shelter that included a shrine consecrated to Gorakshanath situated at Maru, Kathmandu, Nepal.[1][2] Several myths and stories about the date of the construction of the Kasthamandap have been resolved with the recent archeological findings: newly discovered objects during the excavation in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake have suggested that the Kasthamandap may have been built in the 7th century during the Lichhavi era.[3]

Kasthamandap
Front view of Kasthamandap
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKathmandu
Location
LocationKathmandu
StateBagmati
CountryNepal
Kasthamandap is located in Kathmandu Valley
Kasthamandap
Shown within Kathmandu Valley
Geographic coordinates27.70400°N 85.30583°E / 27.70400; 85.30583
Architecture
TypePagoda
Gorakshanath shrine inside the Kasthamandap

2015 Nepal earthquake and subsequent excavations

A team of international and national experts from the Department of Archaeology (DoA), Government of Nepal and Durham University had excavated beneath the Kasthamandap and found coal and sand in the foundations. The foundation soil, coal, and sand were taken to the University of Stirling, Scotland for carbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) tests. Nearly seven months of lab tests showed that the Kasthamandap was built in the 7th century, said Ram Kunwar, spokesperson at the Department of Archeology (DoA).[4]

Kasthamandap premises after earthquake in April 2015

On 25 April 2015, Kasthamandap along with many others on the Kathmandu Durbar Square, was damaged and collapsed by the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, which had an estimated magnitude of 7.9 (Mw).[5][6]

During the excavations, copperplate inscriptions mentioning of Jayasthithi Malla, Jyotir Malla and Yogmati Bhattarika have been recovered from a pillar of the Kasthamandap.[7] In the manuscripts dated Nepal Sambat 499, 454 and 543, (AD 1288, 1243, 1332) it is written that the person responsible for operating the Pachali Bhairav Jatra has to organise the festival following the specific regulations.[8]

References
  1. "Dipesh Risal: Kasthamandap: Microcosm of Kathmandu's Living Culture and Storied History". www.asianart.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  2. "Ramesh Jung Thapa. Kasthamandap" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  3. "Archaeological findings prove the Kasthamandap was built in the 7th century, Rising Nepal, Binu Shrestha, Nov. 18, 2016". Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  4. "Excavation works continue at the Kasthamandap, Rising Nepal, Kathmandu, Dec 1". Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  5. "Rajesh Gurung's photos for The Himalayan Times". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  6. "Nepal earthquake collapses buildings in Kathmandu and northern India killing more than 1,300, officials say". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  7. "A Report on the Salvaging, Screening and Inventorying of Carved Wooden Elements of Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex (Organized by the Department of Archaeology with support from the UNESCO Kathmandu and in collaboration with ICOMOS Nepal), p. 35" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  8. "Malla-era manuscripts found, Rising Nepal, Oct. 27, 2016". Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2021.

Second phase of work begins at Kasthamandap in Kathmandu - Durham University

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