Patan or Khopasi: Araniko's birthplace debate

Kathmandu, Jan. 2: Since our school days, we have read about the national luminary Araniko in textbooks. However, unlike other well-known personalities, we do not learn about his surname or detailed birthplace.

The birthplace of influential figures like Araniko, who made important contributions to national life during various periods of Nepali history, has not been clearly identified or properly recorded. As a result, Nepalis do not know his exact birthplace.

Araniko was honoured as a national luminary by the government in 1967, and postage stamps bearing his name were released in 1972. Yet, details of Araniko’s life in Nepal remain unclear.

Araniko was born in Nepal and later worked in China, where he passed away in 1306 at the age of 62. He had 11 wives, including one Nepali (the eldest), while the others were Chinese and Mongolians. 

Araniko is regarded as one of the most venerable, memorable, and respected figures who helped project the image of the country abroad. In China, Mongolia, Indonesia, and South Asia, Araniko is remembered as a distinguished artist in painting, architecture, and sculpture. Nepali sources, however, remain largely silent about such an important personality.

Araniko established a distinct artistic and architectural legacy in China during that era.

The Study Report of National Luminary Araniko by Bhrikuti Memorial Academy in July 2023 prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation mentions that there is no historical evidence about Araniko who got fame in China. 

Leading historians, cultural experts, and archaeologists in Nepal have not yet confirmed his exact birthplace.

Late historian Satya Mohan Joshi, a renowned Nepali cultural scholar, in his book Kalakar Araniko (1987 BS), documented Araniko’s contributions. However, Joshi was not convinced that Lalitpur was his birthplace. His book mentions various possible birthplaces for Araniko, including Palpa, Patan, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Panauti, and Khopasi.

The 2023 report based on Joshi's book mentioned that Araniko was born around 1244 AD. However, the dispute about his birthplace was not sorted out. While Satya Mohan Joshi suggested that Araniko could be from Patan, Narayan Prasad Shrestha of Palpa claimed he was from Palpa. Similarly, Dilliraman Regmi argued he was from Khopasi. However, no historical evidence is there to support these arguments. 

Biswo Ulak, President of Bhrikuti Memorial Academy, said that the conclusion of the study report confirmed that Araniko (also known as Balbahu) and other artists were from Khopasi. 

He added that around 2005/6, the birthplace of Araniko was widely discussed, and many writers wrote that Araniko belonged to the ‘Pahari’ family and was born in Khopasi, Kavre district.

The Ministry of Education, however, wrote in the textbook Our National Heritage (2079 BS) for Grade 4 Social Studies and Human Values that Araniko was born in Patan. This is a wrong description, he said. 

The report said that Araniko was not only an artist, he was also a sculptor and a scientist. Araniko also made a television. Galileo Galilei is credited with making the telescope, but he made such a device before Galilei. It is written in the history of China. Araniko was a skilled artist who built 

pagoda-style temples.

Araniko is an example of how the ancient metal workers and sculptors of Nepal had achieved the highest technical knowledge in the construction of architecture and statues. 

However, Araniko did not go to China for his own pleasure, rather he went to make some Buddha works of art in China. He went to China at the invitation of the then Chinese ruler.

About a month ago, Jagdish Kharel, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, visited Kanibahal of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-6 and said that the site needs further publicity as the birthplace of the renowned national artist Araniko.

Chiribabu Maharjan, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC), said that plans are underway to renovate Kanibahal, which was left in a dilapidated condition after the 2015 earthquake.

Mayor Maharjan further noted that there is no historical evidence proving it is the birthplace of Araniko. However, the Shakya family, believed to be descendants of Araniko, lived there, and Dr. K.K. Pandey mentioned in his book that Araniko was bade farewell from this home. Only these two reasons support the claim that Araniko was born there, Mayor Maharjan said.

Similarly, Rupendra Raj Shakya, Ward Chairperson of Ward No. 6 of LMC, also stated that while there is no factual evidence, it has been passed down from older generations that this is the birthplace of Araniko.