Picturesque Nepal . ha,while Katmandu is recorded to have beenbuilt in the shape of the sword of its greatfounder, Manjusri. There is also a Hindulegend that this w^as the scimitar which Devicarried in one of her many hands. The handleor blunt extremity of this traditionary weaponlies to the south, towards the confluence of theBaghmatti and Vishnumatti Rivers, while itsapex points to the north, and terminatesin the suburb of Timmale, which stretchesround or rests upon it, according to theBuddhists, as the chhattra of cloth does uponthe point of Manjusris sword. The greatestlength of the city o
Picturesque Nepal . ha,while Katmandu is recorded to have beenbuilt in the shape of the sword of its greatfounder, Manjusri. There is also a Hindulegend that this w^as the scimitar which Devicarried in one of her many hands. The handleor blunt extremity of this traditionary weaponlies to the south, towards the confluence of theBaghmatti and Vishnumatti Rivers, while itsapex points to the north, and terminatesin the suburb of Timmale, which stretchesround or rests upon it, according to theBuddhists, as the chhattra of cloth does uponthe point of Manjusris sword. The greatestlength of the city of Katmandu from north tosouth is about a mile, and its breadth variesfrom one-fourth to one-third of a mile. Thepresent population is 40,000 souls. Originallyeach city was surrounded by a wall, but thesedefences, being allowed to fall into decay, havealmost entirely disappeared, together withmany of the large gateways. The generalplan of a Nepalese city consists of a mmiberof features which custom has made common to. KM RANGE TO THE DURBAR AT PATAN. The projections at the sides of windows and doors are a characteristic feature of Newar architecture. ORIGIN OF KATMANDU 65 all the large towns of the State. In the centreis a large irregularly shaped public square,on one side of which is the royal palace or durbar. The remaining sides of this openspace are occupied with temples and shrinessacred to the locality. Irregularly distri-buted around the durbar square are varioussmaller squares (tols), containing less importantbuildings, and connected with one another,and also with the main square, by streets andlanes, while compassing the whole city was awall pierced by several gateways. History states that Katmandu was foundedin 724 , and near the durbar square is anancient wooden building, from which the cityis said to take its name. Externally it is asomewhat ramshackle erection, and the insideis dark and mysterious— no light but rathera transpicuous gloom. It is used as a house
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbrownper, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1912
