Pagoda |
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Introduction
In
general terms, diminishing tiered roofing is called pagoda.
Pagoda architecture was very popular in East Asian countries
like Japan, Thailand, China and Nepal. Nepalese pagodas are
the most important and significant features of Nepalese
architecture.
The
word “pagoda” was originally brought to the English
vocabulary as a reference to Japanese architectural styles. In
a literal sense, it means structures made like pyramids.
Pagodas looks like a stack of pyramids piled one above the
other.
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Pagodas
were usually constructed in Kathmandu in response to the need
for higher structures. Although they don’t seem like high
towers in today’s skyline, they were tower-like structures
in the ancient times. Hindus believed that the gods lived up
in heaven and in order to provide easy passage between the
heavens and the temples tall temples were needed.
Origin
The oldest Pagoda
temple built in Nepal was the Pashupatinath Temple, which was
built around first century AD. Other records also have proved that
many pagodas-like structures were present in Nepal by the
seventh century; however, the actual origin of the pagoda is
still unknown and a matter of controversy. There are many
stories stating the origin of the pagoda in different
countries. According to one of the stories in Nepal, when
Chinese commissions led by Wang-Huen visited Kathmandu in the
seventh century pagoda style did not exist in China and they
were impressed with pagodas in Kathmandu. Later one of the
greatest designers of that time, Araniko, was taken to China
to develop and spread pagoda architecture. Later it was spread
to the other eastern countries.
Although
the pagoda was introduced to Nepal much earlier, it was
primarily developed and flourished during the Malla dynasty.
We can find very few pagodas in Nepal from before the Malla
period.
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History
Pagoda
Features
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