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KVPT
Table of Contents
a pilot project by Kathmandu Valley
Preservation Trust
WINDOWS AND WALL NICHES
1. KATHMANDU, ITUM BAHA, KAYAGU NANI. KAYAGU AGACHE
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Item
stolen:
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The upper and lower half--round elements of two blind windows on the main facade. The pillared central openings survive in situ. |
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Date
of theft:
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Spring 1999. |
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Specifications:
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Height:- 4'- 6" (approximate) Width:- 2'- 6" (approximate) |
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Description:
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Both lower parts of the blind windows show a Gandarva,
a semi-divine being, musician of the gods, flying in the clouds. The upper tympana are diverse: Tympanum A depicts on top a Kirttimukha eating a snake, in the right and left corner a crocodile. Floral patterns build the background. In the center the main god (with the body damaged). It is maybe a Varahi, flanked by two Taras. Tympanum B depicts a snake-eating Kirttimukha on top and shows on the right and left sides goose and crocodile respectively. The central god, Manjughosa with 4 heads and eight arms is flanked by two Kinnara (half person, half boar). One hand is doing mudra varada, the attributes in his other seven hands should be: 1. Bow (dhanusa) 2. Bell (ghanta) 3. Sword (khadga) 4. Blue Lotus (nilotpala) 5. Book (pustaka) 6. Arrow (sara) 7. Vajra. |
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Location:
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Façade of the south wing, upper level (facing north). |
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Building
Date:
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17/18th c. (?) |
 |
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A
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B
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Photos:
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Rohit Ranjitkar and Mary Shepherd Slusser |
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References:
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Shrine building (Newari: agache) inside Kayagu Nani. Residential
courtyard adjacent to Itum Baha. Kayagu Nani "is the large rectangular courtyard off of which all the other complexes open ..... at the southern end of the area is a baha shrine which houses the agam deity of the baha in an upper room. The ground floor room is empty. Over the doorway is a wooden torana depicting Mhavairocana." In: John K. Locke, S.J. Buddhist Monasteries of Nepal. Kathmandu: Sahayogi Press Pvt. Ltd., 1985. p.290. |