KVPT’s Patan Darbar Earthquake Response Campaign - Work to Date - September 2016

While there was general permission given by the Department
of Archaeology (DoA) to start work on April 5,
2016, project implementation has been delayed to date
by ongoing discussions between KVPT and the DoA regarding
the use of concealed concrete in the foundation
as a life safety and strengthening measure. Thus while
work has proceeded on the carved timber elements, the
work on site remains at a standstill.
Outer Columns
Immediately after the earthquake, the mandapas’ timber
elements were rescued and stored inside the Royal Palace
compound. In the months that followed, the Trust
initiated the cleaning and assembling of some timber elements,
such as the columns of South Manimaṇḍapa.
Each column was carefully investigated and as much material
as possible was reused.
Of the twelve outer columns, eleven suffered some damage
and one was not able to be repaired. It was decided
that the twelfth column (“MP 11”) had to be replicated;
this assignment was given to Indra Kaji Silpakar’s workshop
in Bhaktapur. The reason for the replacement of
the original column is that the latter was too weathered
and had suffered severe damage when it was modified
for earlier uses. Bijay Basukala created the design for the
new column, taking various elements from the remaining
columns as a model. The eleven remaining outer
columns of South Manimaṇḍapa were restored and repaired
by the end of March 2016, with while the Trust
awaited permission for construction.
It will not be possible to determine the original location
of each column; however, the corner pillars are identifiable
as such. The partial damage that was due to the
waist-high planking between the northern columns of
South Manimaṇḍapa indicates the original placement of
these columns.
Columns’ lower tenons
The lower tenons of those columns with renewed bases
will be shaped after the Trust and the Department of
Archaeology have finalized the design on the rebuilding
of the plinth, which will determine their final configuration.
Columns’ upper tenons
The surviving columns’ upper tenons, one for each column
connecting them with the above cornice, broke on
25 April 2015. The tenons and the rest of the column
used to be of one piece. As all upper tenons were broken,
they needed to be replaced, each in a way that ensures
stability in the rebuilding of the structure. To achieve
this, either a mortise was cut into the shaft of the column
and a new tenon stuck inside, or the new tenon
was an integral part of a new upper end of the column.
Characteristically, a tenon is not in the center of the
shaft but rather displaced for static reasons, as the columns
bear the load of the cornice. With this in mind,
the side of each column side which will face outward
had to be chosen before renewing the tenon. In the case
of columns decorated with faces of deities, it was clear
that the side with the deity would face to the outside.
In a few cases the decision was difficult; for example,
the replacement upper part of one column and its tenon
were left temporarily as a block of wood as it was unclear
how the tenon should be oriented; discussion was about
which sides of the heavily weathered original shaft will
have to face the outside and inside of the Manimaṇḍapa.
However the column is oriented, the deity of the replaced
upper part will have to face the outside.
Patan, 24 March 2016
Eleven of the twelve outer columns
of South Manimaṇḍapa are reusable
and were restored and repaired
where necessary. The upper tenons
(left) had to be replaced. No decision
has been made to date as to
how to situate the tenon of the
second column in front.
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