Kathmandu Valley Cosmological Map — Newar Nepāla Maṇḍala in Rañjanā Script

Hand-painted and historically researched map of the Kathmandu Valley (Nepāla Maṇḍala), the cultural, political, and sacred heartland of the Newar civilization. Rather than presenting the valley as a purely geographic space, this map depicts it as a ritual and cosmological landscape, reflecting traditional Newar understandings of place, sovereignty, and sacred order.

All place names are written in Rañjanā script, the classical calligraphic script of Newar Buddhism and Hinduism, historically used for Sanskrit and Newari texts throughout the Himalayan region. The composition presents the valley as a bounded sacred mandala, structured by rivers, royal cities, temples, and protective deities rather than by modern cartographic conventions.

Encircling the valley are representations of the Aṣṭa-Mātrikās (Eight Mother Goddesses)—Brāhmaṇī, Māheśvarī, Kaumārī, Vaiṣṇavī, Vārāhī, Indrāṇī (Aindrī), Cāmuṇḍā, and Mahālakṣmī—who, in Newar religious geography, guard the cardinal and intercardinal directions and define the ritual perimeter of the valley.

Key sacred and political centers depicted include:

Swayambhunath Stupa (Kathmandu)
The most important Newar Buddhist site, associated with the origin myth of the valley as a primordial lake from which the self-arisen (svayambhū) stupa emerged. A shared sacred site for both Newar Buddhists and Hindus.

Pashupatinath Temple (Kathmandu)
One of the holiest Śaiva sites in the Hindu world and central to Newar life-cycle rituals, particularly cremation rites along the Bagmati River. Represents the valley’s deep Shaiva tradition.

Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex)
The political and ceremonial center of old Kathmandu, including the Taleju Bhawani Temple—the state goddess of the Malla kings—and the Kumari Ghar, residence of the Living Goddess.

Patan Durbar Square (Lalitpur)
Renowned for Newar craftsmanship and architecture, including the Krishna Mandir (1637) and Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple). Historically the most overtly Buddhist royal city of the valley.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square
A royal city celebrated for its urban planning, woodcarving, and preservation of traditional Newar festivals, including the Nyatapola Temple and the Fifty-Five Window Palace.

Changu Narayan Temple (Bhaktapur District)
The oldest continuously functioning Hindu temple in the valley, dedicated to Vishnu and adorned with Licchavi-period stone carvings linking early Nepalese history to later Newar traditions.

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This work is available as a high-quality giclée print in multiple sizes. Fine details may appear softened in online images due to compression; the printed version is significantly clearer.

This map was researched and hand-painted by a trained historical cartographer with academic experience in European and global history. Each CartographyCraft map is designed to prioritize historical accuracy, visual clarity, and period-appropriate aesthetics over modern anachronism. If you are interested in a print with a frame or the original, contact the site owner directly.