Sankhu YMRC

Youth Managed Resource Center (YMRC), Sankhu has a publication about the Bajrayogini area. The book is titled "Redevelopment of Gunbihar: Bajrayogini, Sankhu".

Introduction to the book "Redevelopment of Gunbihar, Bajrayogini; Sankhu"

This book is a thesis for a bachelor's degree in Architecture. It was prepared by Mr. Hari Gopal Shrestha (who is also Vice-President of this organization YMRC, Sankhu) in 2000 AD.

The main aim of the book is to propose a development plan for the Bajrayogini holy place. This place is very important  historically, culturally, religiously as well in an architectural way.

The book covers research of historical, traditional, religious activities (i.e. local festivals, Jatra activities), the traditional religious landscape characteristics of Gunbihar and its route, which goes from the Sankhu gate to Gunbihar and also from Gunbihar to Manichud). There is also documentation of historical buildings and proposals for conservation and redevelopment of this historical sanctuary in the context of this modern period.

This thesis has been approved by Ar. Biresh Shah, the thesis advisor and lecturer from Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University.

 Contents of  Book:

1.                  Introduction

2.                  History of Site

a.       According to legends

                                                               i.      Manishail Mahawadan

                                                             ii.      Manishail Mahawadan/Swayambhu Puran

                                                            iii.      Himwat Khanda Mahapuran

                                                           iv.      Others

b.      Historical Documents

3.                  Re-development of Area: An Insight

4.                  Validity and Scope

5.                  Need for Development

6.                  Methodology

7.                  Environments and setting of Kathmandu Valley

a.       Land and Land use

b.      Religious Spaces/Temple Sanctuaries

c.       Picnic Spaces

d.      Outside the Valley

8.                  The existing pattern of Gunbihar: Site Analysis

a.       Existing land use

b.      Vehicular and Pedestrian Circulation

c.       Research and Analysis of Historical, Traditional, Religious Landscape

                                                               i.      Landscape of pedestrian path from Sankhu gates to Gunbihar

                                                             ii.      Analysis of Landscape of Gunbihar

                                                            iii.      Analysis of landscape of Pedestrian path from Gunbihar to Manichud

                                                           iv.      Analysis of Landscape of Manichud

d.      Documentation of upper monastery and Dyochhen

e.       Topography and Drainage

f.        Surrounding environs

g.       The festivals

h.       Climatology

9.                  Case Study

a.       Traditional Landscape of Swayambhu nath

b.      Landscape of Daxinkali

c.       Development of Tribhuvan Park

d.      Development of Nagarkot

e.       Nepalese Traditional Architecture

10.              Design Formation Program

a.       Analysis and approach

b.      Requirements of the project

c.       Concept

11.              Drawings

 Foreword

- Er. Ram Bahadur Karki

 It is an important asset for the teacher and scholar to study about the Gunbihar region. It however, this study reveals its fact that the historical development of this bihar is an architectural study. Mr. H. G. Shrestha rightly brought forward of the Gunbihar to the readers which can be an indigenous values of social cultural depot as it is here. It is legendary associated region where a partially related is Bajrayogini to religion and rest is of artistic value.

This book has divided several chapters. It starts with “Introduction” and ends with “Design formation program”. In the introduction chapter whole legendary study has been caped with site history, Manishail Mahawadan, Swayambhu Purana. For new lookers it could give brief insight of the site of religious legends from which the significance of the book is entitled. Secondly,

The Gunbihar’s historical developments as well as architectural developments are important aspects for detailed study of the areas on which the redevelopment scopes are to be mentioned for planners. In this chapter validity, scope, development and the methodology of the studied areas have been described.

In Hindu Kingdom as mention earlier before present era, the land divisions were made on the basis of environment, religious sanctuaries and non-religious spaces. The most significance of the study of this book is the land utilization of the area. In the process of site analysis, the author has cited the area as to the vehicular circulation. As to it, most of us have a tendency of criticizing for his wide effort on which it is circulated how the road access and land preparation for various purposes have been made clear to layman.

Most interesting point is that the pictures attached to the relevant pages is about to ponder over the matter. This subject matter is quite readable. Different sites and its related pictures are marked as to the valuable things for study. Historical background to Gunbihar is described from the Lichchhavi era and henceforth its earliest possible context to history and architectural conclusion.

Mr. H. G. Shrestha, as the most possible redevelopment insight of this area retold the different point of view of temple sanctuaries, cultural heritage and religious place. The book is an insightful view of this locality. For example picnic spot, and many more. Most obviously it is taken as traditional as well as religious place to watch over the sight.

On the face of valley development Gunbihar of Sankhu has been developing as the chief initiation of religious site. He has studied the site fully on the basis of fetes worshiping of the god/goddess. Appropriate access to this area has been written down with necessary information and pictures properly attached to its brief notes. Different sites on which a historical background has been indicated on the analysis of the Gunbihar sites with its surrounding constructions.

Obviously the different constructional details of its periphery have been written with most successfully given data ever built and with its style and design. Mostly the relevant pictures and drawings details show its ancient built design and used construction materials. All possible side works and details are sufficient to watch and study but, lack of proper planning to conservation of bihar in the future is only defect to see. Overall details may be exemplary works done by Mr. H. G. Shrestha.

All readers have to ponder over this full picture of Gunbihar region once and for all.

  For more details

For more detail about this book contact us.