KATHMANDU, JUL 13 -
Built by Laxmi Narsingh Malla five centuries ago, Kathmandu Valley’s namesake, the Kasthamadap pagoda, still stands tall despite many upheavals, both natural and political, that the Valley witnessed. Reputedly built from the timber of a single tree, Kasthamandap is one of the largest and oldest temples in the Valley.
Located at Marutole, west of Basantapur Durbar Square, the pagoda was a popular rest stop for weary hippies during the late 60s and 70s. Even now people from all walks of life are often found taking shelter from rains and the sun under the pagoda’s massive eaves.
Religiously, Kasthamandap is said to be the abode of all 33 crore Hindu gods, according to the Swasthani scripture. Guarded by eight fierce Bhairavs, the temple allows entrance from all directions. Circling this mighty temple once is equivalent to worshipping every god.
Despite being an important Hindu site, the temple, however, is not traditional by any means.The inner sanctum contains staircases and balconies, with four open entrances. Rather than a forbidding, humbling temple, this relic from Medieval times resembles an open, welcoming bungalow.
The four forms of Ganesh—Karya Binayak, Jal Binayak, Ashok Binayak and Surya Binayak—mark the four corners of this huge structure. In the centre is an idol of Baba Gorakhnath, who has mythological ties to the temple. Another important element of Kasthamandap is a central pole that is believed to cure rheumatism if the offending body part is rubbed against it.
Kasthamandap’s cultural legacy doesn’t end at the pagoda but is entangled with two other lesser-known structures situated in the south end of the monument. According to legend, the massive tree that provided the timbre for Kasthamandap’s construction was so large that there was enough wood leftover for two more structures: Singha Sattal and the Kasthamandap Dabali.
Despite sharing a rich tradition and history, these two structures do not share in Kasthamandap’s fame and interest. They are often spoken of in isolation and lie dilapidated and in disrepair when compared to Kasthamandap, which receives an annual budget for its renovation and maintenance during Indra Jatra.
The name Singha Sattal is derived from Shi: Lya Sattal, which literally refers to the leftover wood used to construct it. The name slowly morphed into Singha, meaning lion, due to four lion statues that face the four directions and guard the idol of Krishna inside the Sattal.
Even after construction of both Kasthamandap and Singha Sattal, there was still more timbre left over, the desperate King Laxmi Narsingh ordered that Kasthamandap Dabali be constructed and all remaining wood be buried under it. The Dabali, today, functions as a stage where the Khokana Sikari Ajima dance ritual is performed every 12 years during Khokana’s special procession, said Basanta Shrestha, chairman of Marutole Conservation Committee.
Shrestha knows more interesting history of the structures. The king never performed the Pali: Chiu ritual, normally conduction after the construction of a house or temple in the Newari tradition. Mindful of the troubles his people were facing due to inflation, the king vowed not to conduct the ritual until the prices of salt and oil became the same.
Although centuries old, these structures are still important and relevant to locals, who conduct various ceremonies including Maghe Sankranti, community Bhai Tika and other Newar traditions. “Kasthamandap, the Singha Sattal and the Dabali are rich in history and are of great cultural importance,” said Shrestha. “But it is only Kasthamandap that gets all the attention. There are very few who care about the Sattal and Dabali.”
According to Shrestha, it was only until a couple of years ago that a puja and bhajan were held at the Sattal every morning and evening. “But as the temple began to grow old and rickety, people stopped coming here. We were forced to close down the Sattal two years ago,” said Shrestha.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/13/capital/heritage-watch-kasthamandap-standing-tall-with-a-rich-legacy/357043/
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