The revival of Kamal Pokhari

The following images are from Kamal Pokhari while the revival works were underway. The historical pond was finally getting a much needed make over with a paved pathway around it, as well as a thorough clean up of the pond. Initially targeted for SAARC 2014, construction work seems to have been delayed and is still going on as of December 2016.

As for the pond, it is a historical pond which for the longest time has been in a state of neglect. Land encroachment, construction of roads on either sides and an overall decrease of surface water has seen the pond shrink from its original size.

The efforts at revival is welcome as it aims to develop the pond and its surrounding area as a recreational public space which will be open to the public. In a city like Kathmandu with its open spaces rapidly shrinking giving away to the ever expanding concrete jungle, this is a welcome step.

Looking towards City Centre (SE)
(May 2016)

Looking towards South (May 2016)

Looking South West (May 2016)

Looking West (May 2016)

Looking North West (May 2016)

Looking North East (May 2016)

Looking East (May 2016)

Looking South East (May 2016)

Rivers of Kathmandu II: Bishnumati

We don't have to go too far to see the ill effects of unplanned urban growth in our city. Just walk to the middle of any bridge and look down to the river below - the devastation stares right back to us.

I strongly believe that the state of human development of any society can be gauged by the state of its rivers. The sorry state of the rivers that run through the city of Kathmandu well and truly highlight the problems plaguing our city overall.

Construction debris below the bridge (2014)

Bride Construction over Bishnumati at Kalimati (2014)
(West Piers)

Temple and Ghats north of the bridge under construction (2014)

Looking at the river from the bridge at Paropkar (2014)

More of the filth & sewer that the river has become (2014)

River dries out in winter months only sustained by sewer & untreated
industrial waste dumped directly on to the river bed
(2014)

The retaining wall work to the North of this Kalimati-Teku bridge and just beyond the Paropkar bridge was well underway on January 4, 2017.

Looking North from Paropkar Bridge
(Jan. 5, 2017)

Retaining wall construction
They aren't leaving any flood plains for the river
(Jan. 5, 2017)

Mixed use buildings of Kathmandu

This post is ongoing and the text will be added once all the pictures have been uploaded.

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Nag Pokhari

Nag Pokhari, Naxal (From SW corner)

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Pictures below show the pokhari drained out for maintenance and cleaning during the summer of 2014.

Nagpokhari (Fron the NE corner)

Nagpokhari (From the NE corner)

On the east of Nagpokhari lies the Nandikeshari Bahal and Temple (Shiva Temple) and a school. The complex was severally damaged by the April 2015 earthquake. The school is undergoing reconstruction currently. Classes have been continued in Temporary (pre-fabricated) structures.

Immediate aftermath of the April 2015

After the debris was cleared out, Temple which was originally inside a squared
courtyard complex can be seen from the outside now with the square building gone

Updated pictures from January 2017. You can see the hotel under-construction in the background.

Typical benches around the pokhari
Jan. 2017

Overall view looking east (from West gate)
Jan. 2017

View from Main Entry at West

Looking towards SE (from West gate)
Jan. 2017

Lichhavi Chibas scattered around Kathmandu core areas

You will find a wonderful little collection of Chibahs in front of the Mahankalsthan, on the same side of what used to be the old Military Hospital. I believe most of these belong to the Lichhavi era as we can see the layers of Tamralip on them. Hopefully they wont be lost in the ensuing chaos that usually defines this space.

The following picture is from the road connecting Chaubato Naxal to the small road that connects between Naxal Bhagwati to Nagpokhari.

The following pictures are from the area near the Kalimati Vegetable Market (back door)

Some more from top of Swayambhu next to the main Stupa.

Mixed Use Buildings of Patan

As promised a few years back in this blog, I am finally able to put up pictures of the mixed use buildings that have been taken from various places in Patan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur & Bungamati. These are from within the historical core of the ancient towns and very much reflect various stylistic developments of that period.

To begin with buildings from the area around Patan durbar square.

Classical influence on Newari form

Lovely way to turn the corner (next to Krishna Temple)

Clearly a newer construction
Trying to replicate the old form but at a newer scale

This one does a better job of translation of old to new
aesthetically at least, successfully eliminates hard angles of the previous one

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Difference between old scale-form & new scale & form

Interesting play of shapes and design

Newari brick exposed building with pilasters & cornice bands (classical)

Less ornamentation than the preciou sone

Typical street

Clearly layers of construction can be seen here