NEPAL: A LITTLE-KNOWN KINGDOM 



255 



SOME OF THE ALTAR UTENSILS FROM THE TALU.NG MONASTERY: SIKKIM 

 Note the thigh-bone trumpet with a "Dorji" carved on it. 



produces a most picturesque effect, re- 

 lieved from monotony or sombreness 

 here and there with some brilliant color- 

 ing and the sparkle and glitter of the 

 brass and copper repousse work with 

 which most of the doorways are orna- 

 mented. 



BIIATGAON, A CITY OF ARCHITECTURAL 

 JEWELS 



Bhatgaon, one of the oldest Newar 

 capitals, lies about seven miles southeast 

 of Khatmandu, and, with its numerous 

 temples, shrines, and statues, all of the 

 greatest architectural value, it is even 

 more interesting than the capital. 



Through 



winding, crowded, dirty 

 streets, with wooden colonnades over- 

 hung by the balconies of old houses, one 

 reaches the central square, on all sides 

 of which buildings have been erected 

 with the most picturesque irregularity, 

 the finest among them being the Durbar 



Hall, with its magnificent doorway of 

 brick and embossed copper gilt, built in 

 the reign of Bhupatindra Mall. This 

 doorway is one of the finest pieces of 

 work in Nepal and on it is depicted the 

 whole symbolism of the Hindu and 

 Buddhist religions. 



Facing the doorway is the statue of 

 Raja Bhupatindra Mall, an extremely 



