Picturesque Nepal . through which theBaghmatti river flows towards the plains, notone drop of water could escape by any otherchannel, and, in the course of time, the accumu-lation of its pent-up waters would convert thevalley again into a lake (Oldfield). In fulfilment of the traditional prophecy ofVipasyi Buddha, therefore, the lake has become cultivated and populous, and the site itoccupied is now the vital centre of , within an area the size of the Isle ofWight—for the valley is but 20 miles longby 15 broad—all the principal interests of theState are concentrated. Here are the sea
Picturesque Nepal . through which theBaghmatti river flows towards the plains, notone drop of water could escape by any otherchannel, and, in the course of time, the accumu-lation of its pent-up waters would convert thevalley again into a lake (Oldfield). In fulfilment of the traditional prophecy ofVipasyi Buddha, therefore, the lake has become cultivated and populous, and the site itoccupied is now the vital centre of , within an area the size of the Isle ofWight—for the valley is but 20 miles longby 15 broad—all the principal interests of theState are concentrated. Here are the seat ofthe government, the palaces of the king andnobility, the temples and shrines, fishpondsand gardens, rivers and burning-ghats, itsancient and modern capitals; here in thissmall hollow in the Himalayas, 4500 feet abovethe level of the sea, is all that appertains tothe life, constitution, and history of thisremarkable country. Surrounded as it is by mountains, it is aneasy task to scale one of the lower STATUETTE IN COPPER-GILT OF MAITREYA, lilK CUMlNt. I,{Height, 23 inches.) VIEW OF KATMANDU ii and thus place oneself in a position to seethe valley spread out below like a map. To-wards the centre of this oval a tall pillar-likeerection may be observed from most situations,forming a useful landmark or fixed point bywhich the principal objects in view may belocated. This is the tower of Bhim Sen,known as Bhim Sens folly, and arises from outof the brown roofs of Katmandu, the moderncapital. A number of large white buildingsare to be seen intermingled with the moreneutral coloured pagodas, and these mark thenew palaces and residences of the royalty andaristocracy of the State. The general shapeof Katmandu can be defined, which traditionhas likened unto a sword, indicating that it isa long narrow city in the rough proportionsof a weapon of that nature. Eight miles eastof this is Bhatgaon, one of the old seats of thekings, and its round compact shape is notdis
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidpicturesquen, bookyear1912
