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

Top Left
Pushpa Raj Shilpakar carves the
intricate design of lotus flowers
alternating with bells (Nev. palesva)
for the lowest layer of South
Manimaṇḍapa cornice.
Patan, 25 March 2016
Top Right
Lowest layer of South
Manimaṇḍapa cornice: Pratap
Shilpakar does not closely copy of
the original element but instead
draws his design by looking and
creating something similar.
Patan, 30 March 2016
Bottom Left
Bijay Basukala points at the “hand”
(Nev. lhāḥphvaḥ) that is connected
to a replaced element of the mouse
teeth (Nev. chũvā) layer with a
tenon.
Patan, 11 April 2016
Cornice
The South Manimaṇḍapa cornice consists of four layers:
lotus flower (Nev. palesva) alternating with bells (Nev.
ghaṇṭa), snake (Nev. nāḥg/nāga), beam ends with stylized
kũsuru heads (Nev. dhalĩmvāḥ), and mouse teeth
(Nev. chũvā) ending in protruding hand-shaped elements
(Nev. lhāḥphvaḥ). The repair and restoration of
the broken multi-layered cornice was completed by the
end of April 2016.
The tentative assemblage of the restored salvaged fragments
shows that the south side (facing the palace) and
the west side (facing the square) in the main survived
the structure’s collapse, while the remaining sides that
fell into the stepwell broke into pieces. All four corners
had to be repaired as their joints were broken, and some
“hands” had to be replaced. The restoration of the original
wooden parts used timber for the replacement of
decorative elements that were carved as well as for the
repairs with joints. The joints recall traditional carpentry
techniques; however, some are highly inventive, based
on the experience of the carpenters. Stainless steel bars
reinforce somewhat delicate parts, either parts with large
cracks or even new joints. The use of steel is considered
a compromise that allows the retention of as much of the
original material as possible. It is also used in reinforcing
repaired but still fragile parts of the construction.
298