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Nepal carries
long history of civilization, culture, tradition, politics and
heritage. Eve -n Kathmandu valley was thought to be under the
primordial lake. Legend goes that the Vipaswi Buddha, a holy
one, came and sat on the hill of Nagarjun to meditate. Inspired,
he planted the lotus seed in the lake. Later it bloomed but not
with ordinary blossom, a blue flame emanated from it and
illuminated the image of Swayambhu, "The self-existent one".
Furthermore the Bodhisattwa Manjushri came here all the way from
Tibet to meditate and with his sword; he cut the gorge at Chovar
in one stroke, thus draining the water from the valley. Its
early History rested in legend and myths. However; it was
definitely inhabited long before 7 or 8 BC .from where starts
the political history of the country. Kathmandu , the present
capital of Nepal was governed by different dynasties . The
presence of the Kirati who came from East & believed to be of
the Mongolian origin was the first record of the valley as far
as the establishment of powerful kingdom is concerned.
Then Licchavis ruled the valley for long period and they left
very good examples of their love for Arts and Crafts in the
forms of Temples and other structures. In other words Licchavis
were the people who raised the enthusiasm for arts and crafts in
the heart of the inhabitants and the examples of the same can be
seen embodied in the heart and soul of the people living here It
was during the period of the Licchavis, Araniko, the master of
wood carving went to China to spread the essence that was born
in Nepal in the form of Pagoda architecture. The first stone
inscription for the history dated 464 AD. was from the one of
the king of this period.
After the downfall of the Licchavis Mallas. Who came from the
Indian territories were the ones to give continuance not only to
the political history of this country but also to the
continuance of the spread of the arts and crafts through the
addition of more temples and other structures. They brought all
the practices of Hindu religion and irrigated with their own
customs in the valley. Social as well as family life got a
chance to breathe ethical air as they based the system of the
whole society on the Hindu principle of living a pious and
meaningful life. Still it is worthy to note that their
influences can be seen in each and every corners of this city
and also in the life of every person. Their love for the art
proved the model city till the date. The rule of the Mallas was
followed by rule of the Shahs from Gorkha of which the
foundation was laid by Prithivi Narayan Shah in 1768 AD with his
energetic work of Unification of this country lying in the lap
of the mighty Himalayas. The country that remained divided for
centuries got a chance to merge into one creating a unified
Nepal.
It had been a tough task as the people were divided not only
politically but the main factor behind such diversity was the
ethnicity, culture, tradition, heritage and way of life. The
process of unification was started from Gorkha in 1745 AD. Many
worthy sons of this country added their service to the pious
work of unification and the fragrance of the same has been
enjoyed by many since the unification. Now the country is
divided into different administrative regions and the country is
practicing the multiparty democracy after the advent of
Democracy in the year 1990 AD.
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