Nepalmandala (Bishwa Sampada Lokamala): A handy book on heritages

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 5: A new book 'Nepalmandala’ (Bishwa Sampada Lokamala) on cultural heritages of Nepal has recently been published.  Written by Bhishma Banskota, a scholar on archaeology, currently working at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the book provides information on Nepal's cultural heritages. 

As the name suggests, the book written in verse is a short account of the cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley as well as Dolakha and Nuwakot.

Divided into four chapters and several sub-chapters, the book covers the ancient history of Nepal, the rulers, their works, mostly the cultural monuments they built, which stand till date, the temples, religious sites, ponds, old terminologies, tools, popular deities, inscriptions and even the small but important Chowks and Viharas.

It seems that author Banskota has worked hard to trace the creators of the monuments and other heritages we see today in the valley's three cities and the adjoining settlements. Readers will get knowledge about the powerful kings not only of the valley but also of Dolakha, who contributed to enriching the heritage. We often get to hear Char Narayans and Char Bhanjyangs (passes) but we cannot name them. Banskota has mentioned them and other similar things in his book.

The 282-page book is highly informative to all readers. It is a handy book on the heritages of Kathmandu and nearby towns. It is more useful for the students of Nepali culture and archaeology as it deals with temples, inscriptions and genealogies of the rulers of ancient and modern Nepal. The book is priced at Rs. 950. Although the price appears expensive, considering the knowledge one gets from the book, it is not that high. 

This is also rightly reflected in his short preface by noted scholars like Professor Dinesh Raj Panta.

The useful book is going to be formally launched on Friday by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey amid a ceremony in Patan. Banskota deserves kudos for publishing the book on the heritages in folklore style.