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Article: Newar metalworkers of the Kathmandu Valley.
- Article from:
- Faces: People, Places, and Cultures
- Article date:
- April 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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On the south bank of the Bagmati River across from Kathmandu lies the ancient city of Patan. Sometimes called Lalitpur, "City of Beauty," it has long been famous for outstanding metal, wood, and stone craftsmanship. After the Buddhist and Hindu religions arrived in the Himalayas from India, Patan's skilled metalworkers produced large numbers of statues for temples and shrines in Nepal, Tibet, and other areas. By the 10th century, this industry was one of the main reasons for the valley's prosperity.
Metalworking is still a major industry in Patan today. That is because both Buddhism and Hinduism are important religions in the Himalayas, and images are a central ...