Strolling around the colourful alleys in town, you will encounter numerous ‘dhunge dhara’ – waterspouts sculpted since the Middle Ages. These marvellous structures, with elaborate carvings and representations of myths, reect the beauty, culture, history, and intellect of the Kathmandu Valley.
Kath mandu’s waterspouts, or springs and fountains, are considered impressive architectural feats from ancient times. Dating back to the Licchavi and Malla eras, these spouts collect water from natural springs and underground sources, supplying it to the people. The network of aqueducts and channels reveals the high level of Nepal’s hydraulic engineering. Observing the lower part of a dhunge dhara, one can easily imagine artisans chiselling each stone and arranging them so the water would glide smoothly from the spout.
Cultural Significance
Padma Sundar Joshi, Habitat Manager of UN Habitat Nepal, said that the city planning and water supply system of the Kathmandu Valley existed 1500 years ago during the Kirat, Licchavi, and Malla Rajiyaan periods. The city design was based on the Mandala system, which includes three circular rings representing the inhabited, agricultural, and natural circles.
The Kirats started the gravity flow water system with sources of springs, whereas the Licchavis began drilling wells to extract water. The Hiti system of stone spouts delivers natural spring water from areas like Budhanilkantha, Bageshwori, and Tika Bhairav through other water channels known as rajkulo, which are stored in public reservoirs or pools. These ponds acted as septic systems to draw water into the ground and supply the citizens with stone pipes.
Spouts are essential to Kathmandu’s cultural and religious life. They are water sources and community gathering points where people interact.
Historical records show that women gathered to fetch water or wash clothes while interacting, thus fostering closeknit communities. Surprisingly, many waterspouts are associated with religious buildings where offerings are made, and temple festivals are held. The depictions of gods and guardian spirits on the spouts highlight their spiritual significance.
Joshi underlined the importance of preserving the whole system for future water supply. This ancient water management system is tightly linked to water culture, as we can see in events like Sithi Nakha.
The Guthi—a community trust fund—aimed to supervise and support more conventional water supply arrangements. Socio-cultural festivities related to water sources influence the conservation and protection of these sources.
Every spout is a sculpture featuring carvings of gods, mythological beings, and fabulous flowers. These carvings are ornaments, protectors, and bringers of luck to the water. Touching the surface of these stones, one can almost hear the artisans at work, creating what can only be described as art. They testify to the brilliant skill of the Kathmandu Valley’s artisans in earlier days.
The network of aqueducts and channels reveals the high level of Nepal’s hydraulic engineering
Challenges and Preservation Efforts
Unfortunately, many of Kathmandu’s culturally and historically significant waterspouts are threatened by development, pollution, and neglect. Modern construction projects interfere with the springs that feed these ancient spouts. Severe pollution and lack of proper maintenance
have damaged these beautiful structures, turning them into what are locally referred to as ‘dry dharas’.
However, efforts are being made to protect these valuable heritage sites. Local people, non-governmental organisations, and authorities are involved in cleaning, repairing, and caring for the waterspouts. Informative campaigns and heritage walks have also helped reignite public interest and pride in these historic structures.
Bhushan Tuladhar, the Regional Technical Advisor at UN Habitat Water for Asian Cities, says: “The culture of preserving traditional practices was through rituals and festivals, nowadays we must preserve this legacy based on ethical and legal parameters”.
Awareness, educational campaigns, and exploring cultural activities like heritage walks have helped revive and instil pride in the people of these archaeological sites.
Modern Relevance
From today’s perspective, the ancient waterspouts of the Kathmandu Valley demonstrate environmental friendliness and community sustainability. They prove that traditional water management methods can be more efficient than modern ones. Future water shortages could be addressed if efforts are made to revive and sustain the construction of spouts. Techniques practised thousands of years ago can be adapted for modern society, providing solutions for the ever-developing Kathmandu.
Pratikshya Bhatta is a junior editor for Nepal Connect.
