Eine Autostunde von Kathmandu befindet sich der kleine Ort namens Bhaktapur. Er war einer der vielen Hauptorte der vielen Koenigreiche, die es seinerzeit in Nepal gab. So gibt es auch hier einen Durbar Square , denn jeder der Koenige versuchte, den anderen in Glanz und Pomp seines Reiches zu uebertreffen. Zugegebenermassen gab es andere Herrscher, die mehr Pomp hervorbrachten, aber die Altstadt Bhaktapurs hat seinen damaligen Charme wohl kaum verloren und man fuehlt sich direkt ins Mittelalter zurueckversetzt , wenn man durch die Gassen schlendert. Wenn man genau hinschaut, findet man sogar die erotischen Darstellungen der Kamasutra-Lehre. Kuehe sowie Haendler und Glaeubige, die ihre Opfergaben darbieten, sind omnipresent. Ebenfalls die grossen oeffentlichen Brunnen zur persoenlichen Hygiene werden immer noch rege genutzt, wenn auch nur zur Kleiderwaesche. In einem der Pools beindet sich eine Statue einer Schlange. Sie wird "Naga" genannt und gilt unter tibetischen Buddhisten wie auch Hinduisten als unter der Erde lebende Kreatur, die als Waechter von Tueren und Portalen agiert. Diese Halbgottheit tritt oft auch in irdischer Form auf und nimmt die Gestalt von Menschen an. Einige Leute scheuen die Arbeit in Minen ausAngst ,sie wuerden mit ihrem Werkzeug Naga verletzen, was zu grossem Unheil fuehren kann.
One hour drive from Kathmandu lies the small place called Bhaktapur. It was one of the many capitols of the many kingdoms that once existed in Nepal. And so it comes that also this village has a Durbar square since all the rulers tried to show off more of their wealth and pomp to other neighboring kings. We have to admit that there were other emperors that created more "pomp", but nevertheless the town probably hasn't lost any of it's charme and one feels beamed into medieval times when roaming through the narrow alleyways.. If one looks carefully there are even some erotic displays from the art of Kamasutra to be discovered. Cows as well as traders and believers who make their offerings to the gods are omnipresent. Also the public big fountains for personal hygiene purposes remain, even if just for washing clothes, in frequent use. In one of the pools we find a statue of a snake. The serpent is called Naga and is believed to be a creature living under ground which serves as protector for doors and gates. This semi god also shows up on earth every now and then in a human form. Some people are afraid of mining since they could hurt Naga with their tools which would lead to great misfortune.
One hour drive from Kathmandu lies the small place called Bhaktapur. It was one of the many capitols of the many kingdoms that once existed in Nepal. And so it comes that also this village has a Durbar square since all the rulers tried to show off more of their wealth and pomp to other neighboring kings. We have to admit that there were other emperors that created more "pomp", but nevertheless the town probably hasn't lost any of it's charme and one feels beamed into medieval times when roaming through the narrow alleyways.. If one looks carefully there are even some erotic displays from the art of Kamasutra to be discovered. Cows as well as traders and believers who make their offerings to the gods are omnipresent. Also the public big fountains for personal hygiene purposes remain, even if just for washing clothes, in frequent use. In one of the pools we find a statue of a snake. The serpent is called Naga and is believed to be a creature living under ground which serves as protector for doors and gates. This semi god also shows up on earth every now and then in a human form. Some people are afraid of mining since they could hurt Naga with their tools which would lead to great misfortune.
Waschplatz - Washing spot
Naga
