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A continuous tradition of art begins in the 5the century AD in Nepal. The Nepali art can be classified schematically into three major periods: a. The ancient, classical,or Lichhavi period (5th – 9th century AD); b. The post-classical period (10th – 14th century AD); c. The Malla Period (14th century AD onwards). Except for some classical stone sculptures, the great majority of art objects surviving in Nepal today date from the Malla period. Of the few stone sculptures so far discovered which are thought to antedate the 5th century AD, three are in the National Museum Art Gallery. They are: - A huge Yaksha torso in sandstone, found in Hadgaon village on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
- A sandstone Kumbha (water pitcher) with female head protected by a hood of Nagas (snakes), from Hadigaon.
- A small, about 40 cm high, statue of king, whose authority is reflected in his powerful body and self assured posture, resembling the pre-Gupta, Kushan kingdom sculpture of India; found in the Pashupatinath area. Tourist stop and admire in some detail a few masterpieces of stone sculpture in Nepal. Some are on display in the National Museum Art Gallery, others can be seen in various locations in the Kathmandu Valley.
In the Museum - Vishnu Trivikrama (or Trivikranta) Murti: The image of Vishnu on the Three strides. This bar relief stele is dated AD 467. It is the earliest dated sculpture so far discovered in the valley, and it was found in the Lazimpat area of the city. It depicts the old Puranic legend of Vishnu in his incarnation (Avatara) as Vamana, the dwarf, reclaiming the earth from demons. The composition and the treatment of the human figure in this sculpture indicate aq combination of the Gandhara and the Gupta styles. A similar sculpture, telling the same story and bearing the same date is still sitting in Mrigasthali near Tilganga, on the left bank of the Bagmati River, in the Pashupatinath area.
- Mara’s Temptation: This 6th century sculpture panel in faded limestone, of which, unfortunately, only one part is left, tells the famous episode in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha to be, when, trying to attain enlightment under the tree of wisdom (Mahabodharukh) in Gaya.
- Of the same period as Mara’s Temptation and representing similar stylistic tradition of the treatment of the human figure, as the Narrative Reliefs from Nagal tole and Kathsimnhu, now on the right hand side walls of the Museum’s Art Gallery. This is a lovely, highly lyrical presentation of Shiva and Paravati in their tranquil, pre-tantric form, depicting various episodes from the many legends surroundings their courtship and marriage the birth of their son, Kumara, their pilgrimage to the sacred mountain kailasha. The inspiration for the beautiful narration in stone seems to be drawn from the story of Kumarasambhava.
- The 9th century famous image of Maya Devi or Buddha Nativity scene, a beautiful, poetric representation of Buddha’ birth, is best sculptures of its time, surpassing all the contemporaries, found in the valley.
- A favorite theme of this period, repeatedly depicted in stone and bronz from 9th century on is the Uma-Mahasvara, Umasahita, or Paravarsahita, Uma (light) is another name of Parvati, and Mahesvara (great god) a very popular name of Shiva. Sahita means “with”, and Parivar is family. This composition shows Shiva and Parvati as Maheshvara and Uma, in a sweet, conjugal scene. They are sitting on the rock covered with a tiger skin on the scared mountain of Kailasha.
- Vishnu with Shri and Garuda is a 9/10th century sculpture, which well illustrates what is meant by the stiffening of the human form and stereo-typization of face. Although elegant and elaborate, this stele has less warmth and direct appeal than the earlier sculptures.
Changu Narayan some of the best preserved, 8th -12th century stone sculptures depicting Hindu themes in the valley can be found in the compound of Changu Narayan, a few miles south-west of Kathmandu on a wooden hill. This is the site of the oldest inscription so far discovered in the valley and thus the first historical document of Nepal. It invokes Hari, a common name of Vishnu and it mentions the Lichhavi kings, a dynasty which ruled the valley from 4th- 8th century AD. The pillars seems to have been erected by king Manadeva (Lichhavi), who was thus paying homeage to his ancestors listed in the inscription, including his grand-father. Near the inscribed pillar, there is a celebrated huge statue of Garuda, the mythical bird and the carrier of Vishnu-Narayan knneling in adoration in front of the temple.
Pashupatinath Area Some superb examples of ancient stone sculpture can be found in the Pashupatinath Temple area on the bagamati river: - A 6th century Buddha stele in unpolished light gray stone stands half-buried in the ground on the right bank of the Bagmati River, near the burning ghats (cremation platforms) on the Pashupatinath Temple complex, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal, after Banares, the main pilgrimage target for Hindus everywhere.
- Ekamukha Shivalingam has one. This remarkable 6th century head of Parvati, the consort of Shiva is sculptured on a Lingam, the phallic symbol of Shiva.
- Sitting in a little enclave made of the red brick, on the right bank of the Bagmati, just before the bridge and next to the gateway leading toward the Buddha statue, there is a stylistically important and interesting sculpture, representing the eight-armed Bachhaleswari, a Mother Goddess.
- There’s a free-standing, 8th / 9th century Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and beauty placed on a tortoise pedestal next the Bachhaleswari relief.
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