Introduction
Nepal, a land known as a home to the most
of the highest peaks on earth including
Mt. Everest and a great repository of
medieval art and architecture, is also
the cradle of two major religions of the
world Hinduism and Buddhism. These two
religions in a related short span of time
have caused a unique development of cultural
legacy of Nepal resulting a great array
of art and artefacts.
Besides the history of Nepal is embedded
with various colourful episodes at different
intervals of time-recorded since 5th century
AD. The recent excavations in the western
mountains (Mustang) have also revealed
the evidence of prehistoric human settlements
in those areas. The museums of Nepal have
some of those rare specimens, artefacts,
and weapons dating from all those periods.
To a visitor who has a little bias to
the history and the historic antiquities,
a visit to the museums of Nepal is a must
and in fact is the best refuge after the
tiresome shopping spree in the Kathmandu
bazaars or an arduous trek in the mountains.
Similarly, Nepal, in recent times, has
also become a unique melting pot of tradition-based
painting and the western influences in
the contemporary arts.
National
Museum
Located in the western end of Kathmandu
and a few minutes walk down from the famous
Swyambhunath stupa, National Museum is
considered the most important museum of
Nepal. The museum has a large collection
of weapons, art and antiquities of historic
and cultural importance. Initially built
as a collection house of war trophies
and weapons, the museum has an extra-ordinary
collection of eighteenth and nineteenth
century weapons, firearms locally made
and captured from the various wars, leather
canons and relics of natural calamities
like great earthquake of 1934. In addition,
the museum is the unique treasure house
of medieval and modern works in wood,
metal/ bronze, stoneworks and the paintings.
The museum remains close on Tuesdays.
The Natural History Museum
Situated at the southern foothills of
Swayambhunath, the museum is a window
to the natural history of Nepal. The museum
has a sizeable collection of different
species of animals, butterflies and plants.
The special feature of this museum is
a serial display of diverse life specie
from prehistoric shells to the stuffed
animals, birds, crocodiles and many other
interesting exhibits. It is open on all
the weekdays except Saturdays and government
holidays.
Hanumandhoka Palace Complex
This grand medieval palace complex, in
addition to its architectural importance
and grandeur, is also the heartbeat of
medieval and modern history of Nepal.
In tune with its historic ambience, three
separate museums of historic importance
are located inside the Palace complex.
One single entry ticket entitles the visit
to all the museums and they remain open
on all weekdays except Saturdays and government
holidays.
The Tribhuvan Museum
The museum is specially designed to display
all the events, personal belongings, mementos
of the late H.M.King Tribhuvan (1906 -
1955). He is fondly remembered as the
father of the nation as he was primarily
instrumental in ushering democracy in
Nepal in 1951. The museum has a rare collection
of photos, paintings / portraits of Royal
family members.
The Birendra Museum
This museum is a recent addition in the
Palace complex. This museum particularly
contains the personal possessions of the
present monarch, His Majesty King Birendra
Bir Bikram Shah, including royal attires
that he had donned during various state
and historic occasions. Also on display
are gifts. medals, honorary titles received
from other head of states and other interesting
memorabilia.
The Mahendra Museum
The museum vividly sheds light on the
late king Mahendra (1920 1972 AD). The
exhibits include remake of his cabinet
room, office chamber and his personal
belongings including walls, decorations,
stamps and coins. As he is fondly remembered
as a poet-king, his original writing ambience
and personal notes and manuscripts are
displayed here.
National Library
One of the largest libraries in Nepal,
this library contains more than 70,000
books on various subjects. Although most
of the books are in English, books in
Nepali, Sanskrit, Hindi and Newari are
also in the collection. The National Library
has some rare scholarly books in Sanskrit
and English dating from 17th century AD.
Located in the old palatial Harihar Bhavan,
Patan, the library is open on all weekdays
except Saturdays and govt. holidays.
Kaiser Library
Located in the Kaiser Mahal (on the ground
floor of Ministry of Education building),
Thamel, the library is a personal collection
of a Rana nobility late Field Marshal
Kaiser Shumsher Rana. The entire collection
is the reflection of personal taste of
late Rana, which ranges from as diverse
as law and astrology. The library has
a collection of 45,000 books covering
history, art, religion, philosophy etc.
The oldest book in the collection is a
Sanskrit manual of 'Tantra', the art of
mysticism. This is believed to be at least
1000 years old. The library remains closed
on all government holidays and Saturdays.
Asa Archives
For visitors with a slight bent on medieval
history and religious traditions of Kathmandu
Valley, Asa Archives is probably the best
library to visit. Housed in a private
house in Kulumbbhula, the western fringe
of old part of Kathmandu town, Asa Archives
has a rare collection of 6000 loose-leaf
handwritten books and 1000 palm- leaf
manuscripts. A manuscript dated to 1464
AD is considered the oldest manuscript
available here. Most of the documents
/ manuscripts are in Sanskrit or Nepal
Bhasa (Newari Script). The Archives is
open daily except government holidays
and Saturdays
Patan Museum
Located in the palace complex of Patan
Durbar Square, the Patan Museum is a house
to some of the unique medieval works in
bronze. The earliest specimens date back
to 11th century or even earlier Lichhavi
period. Most of the exhibits are deities
from the Buddhist pantheon like images
of Buddhas and Lokeswore. And in the lesser
number, there are icons from Hindu pantheon
like Vishnu and other deities.
The National Art Gallery
Located in the famous place complex of
Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Gallery is
in fact a unique museum. The Gallery consists
of some of the rarest paintings of Nepal
and a wide array of manuscripts with painted
covers and illustrations. Although this
Gallery is primarily a 'Museum' of paintings
from early to late Malla period, the Gallery
also contains bronze, brass, stone and
wooden images. In fact, the gallery is
the virtual treasure house to explore
the medieval art tradition of Nepal. The
museum remains closed on Thursdays and
government holidays.
Pujarimath Museum
Situated in the 15th century restored
building known as 'Pujari Math', Tachapal
Tole (Dattatreya Tole), Bhaktapur the
building itself is an exhibit. Built by
Yaksha Malla, a 15th century king of Kathmandu
Valley, the house is adorned with exquisitely
carved wooden windows. In fact, the 'Pujari
Math' is an excellent example of master
wood workmanship of Newar artisans of
Kathmandu valley.
The Bronze and Brass Museum
Located opposite the Pujarimath, Bhaktapur,
the museum contains the typical Newari
bronze and brass utensils, ritual pots,
lampstands, hookahs (Hubble bubble) other
jars used since medieval times and in
some cases till today.
Kapilvastu Museum
Located in Tilaruakot (near the archaeological
ruins of Tilaurakot palace complex - the
ancestral home of Lord Buddha), the Kapilvastu
Museum is about 26 km from Lumbini, the
birthplace of Buddha. The museum has an
interesting collection of coins, pottery,
toys and other artefacts dating from 7th
century B.C. to Fourth century AD. The
museum also displays some unique jewellery
pieces dating the same period. The museum
remains closed in Thursdays and government
holidays. |
|
