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.
