Jitamitra Malla
Encyclopedia
Raja Jitamitra Malla was a Malla Dynasty
King of Bhaktapur
, Nepal
from 1673 to 1696.
. The palace was used by royalty until 1769 and today is a museum and part of the World Heritage Site
on Durbar Square. To the east of this he erected the temple and statue of Narayana
, along with the temples of Dattatrikasa and Pashupati. An inscription in 1678 states that he built the royal palace Thanathu Dubar and its gardens and courtyard. Jitamitra was also credited with restoring Kumari Chowk, the images of Astamatrikas and in 1690, donated two large cooper kettledrums (nagara) or bells to his favourite deity, the goddess Taleju for the gilded roof of Taleju. He also contributed a finely carved wooden tympanum
above the main entrance to the Mul Chowk and also erected many memorials in Bhaktapur.
His son, Bhupatindra Malla
replaced him after his death in 1696 and was equally as fascinated with architecture, and continued the development of the Dharmsala Palace, its 55 windows and gardens.
Malla (Nepal)
The Malla Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of Nepal from the 12th to the 18th century. Malla kings of Nepal visited Lumbini in the 11th and 12th century. It was during their reign the people living in and around the Kathmandu Valley began to be called as "Newars" . The Mallas were the ruling clan of...
King of Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur , also Bhadgaon or Khwopa is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
from 1673 to 1696.
Construction efforts
Son of Sri Jaya Jagatprakasa Malla Raja, he was noted for his construction projects. In 1674 he built a Shikara-style Shiva temple with a gilded repousse mask of the God on each side in Bhaktapu. In 1682 he built near the Durbar the two-storied Dharmasala Palace in which there is a golden MahadevaMahadeva (Buddhism)
Mahādeva is a controversial figure who appears in various roles in the histories of the early Buddhist schools.-As the cause of the first schism:...
. The palace was used by royalty until 1769 and today is a museum and part of the World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
on Durbar Square. To the east of this he erected the temple and statue of Narayana
Narayana
Narayana or Narayan or Naraina is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary vernaculars a common Indian name. Narayana is also identified as the original man, Purusha. The Puranas present divergent views on Narayana...
, along with the temples of Dattatrikasa and Pashupati. An inscription in 1678 states that he built the royal palace Thanathu Dubar and its gardens and courtyard. Jitamitra was also credited with restoring Kumari Chowk, the images of Astamatrikas and in 1690, donated two large cooper kettledrums (nagara) or bells to his favourite deity, the goddess Taleju for the gilded roof of Taleju. He also contributed a finely carved wooden tympanum
Tympanum (architecture)
In architecture, a tympanum is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch. It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element....
above the main entrance to the Mul Chowk and also erected many memorials in Bhaktapur.
His son, Bhupatindra Malla
Bhupatindra Malla
Raja Bhupatindra Malla was a Malla Dynasty King of Bhaktapur, Nepal from 1696 to 1722.The son of Jitamitra Malla he continued his fathers ambitious work in construction and completed the 55 window palace in Bhaktapur which remains today...
replaced him after his death in 1696 and was equally as fascinated with architecture, and continued the development of the Dharmsala Palace, its 55 windows and gardens.