13 Annual Asa Architectural Exhibition: Gurung House

13TH ANNUAL ASA ARCHITECTURAL 2010
EXHIBITION
13 TH
ANNUAL ASA
Architectural
Exhibition
Expression through fourth dimension
GURUNG
HOUSE
1 RESEARCH & DISPLAY
PREPARED BY : SAURAV SHRESTHA
EXHIBITION
General Introduction: -
Nepal is well renown for its multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-
religious and multi-lingual diversity. The mountainous kingdom, in
south Asia, is landlocked by china to the north and India to the south –
east and west. The total land area of Nepal is 1, 47,181 sq. km, covering
0.3 % land of Asia and 0.03 % of the world. The geographical location
of the country is between the latitude of 26 degree 22 minute and 30
degree 27-minute north and longitude of 80 degree 4 minute and 88
degrees 12 minute. The country is elongated with 880 km East to West
and breath varies from 145 to 241 km from north to south.
Geographically, Nepal is divided into three main regions,
 Himalayan,
 Hilly, and
 Terai.
EXHIBITION
This report will be concerned with the hilly region and its architecture.
Hilly Region:
The hilly region covers 68% of the total land area. It is formed by
the mahabharat range that ranges mountain region in the altitude of 600
m to 4700 m height.
Within this region, there is a variation of climatic, topographic and
geographical condition. This region with various ethnic groups living
in various places have developed their own art, culture, feast & festival
along with their own typical vernacular architecture. The main cast and
ethnic group of hilly region (Especially Gandaki zone) are Brahmin,
kshetri and Gurung. They have developed their own house form and
architecture by using locally available materials and construction
technology.
Following topics would be discussed in detail in this report:
(a) Gurung and Gurung Architecture
(b) Brahmin and Brahmin Architecture
(c) Kshetri and kshetri Architecture
(a) Gurung and Gurung Architecture:-

EXHIBITION
Gandaki zone consisting of Tanahun, Lamjung, kaski, syanjha and

Gorkha in western region around the mount Annapurna range is the
traditional homeland of the Gurung. “Tamu” refers the gurung and their
traditional tributaries were called as Tamuwan. The gurung belongs to
Tibeto-Burman group and are further divided into various small groups.
Gurungs are believed to have come from Tibet to settle in Nepal.
Gurung legend tells of a Ghale Raja, the King, who ruled in ancient
times. In the 15th century, the Nepali king of a neighboring principality
overthrew Ghale Raja. By the 16th century the Khasa kings had
conquered most of the land of modern Nepal. Because the Gurung were
mercenaries in the Khasa armies, they were highly regarded in the new
kingdom. Today, some are enlisted in the Gurkha regiments.
The overall population of Gurung is recorded about 2, 16,000 .The
Gurungs follow Buddhism and Hinduism. The priest is called as
Ghyabri and Lama.

EXHIBITION
Gurungs are ethnically rich. They have their own language, art,
culture and houseform. They have also own cultural house in middle and
sometimes-upper portion of the village, which is called as “Roddhi
Ghar”.
Gurung House Form: -

Gurung houses in Gandaki zone in Nepal are found to be oval,
rectangular and circular in shape. In Ghale gaun and Ghanpokhara of
Lamjung district, we can found the original and typical form of a
circular house which is locally named as “Gol Ghar”. Circular houses
are also found in pokhara and Tanahun District. Oval and rectangular
house are also widely found in Gorkha and other districts of the zone
(Gandaki).
Gurung Village Settlement Pattern:-
An ideal gurung village in hilly region has a compact planning
which is always located in the highlands. A narrow street with stone
paved steps called as “Shindi” with 1 to 1.5 m high stone wall called
“Perkhal” on both side of the street runs through the village. Each
gurung village generally consists of a Gumba or Gompa at the top
portion with ‘chorten’ and some place has a ‘mane’ within the compact
village premises. The lower part consists of a river and in the upper part,
lies a religious forest which is mainly used to bury dead bodies and also
used to collect firewood, timber and other materials for constructing
buildings & grass for their cattle.
The Gurung House: -
EXHIBITION
Generally, Gurung house of the hilly region have circular,

rectangular or oval in shape. The buildings have two floors- ground floor
& the first floor. The ground floor consists of wide verandah, kitchen,
store (Store for rakshi) & sleeping zone with in one enclosed space.
Kitchen consists of a fireplace, which is locally called as ‘Agenu’
or ‘agano’ which is located in the centre portion as well as in the corner
of kitchen. In one corner of the room, they have provided a space that is
used for storage of home made alcohol (rakshi). They have also
provided one platform for vessel containing water, which is called as
‘Gaurato’ near by the entrance. The water vessels are made with mud
and metal as well. sleeping zone is provided near by the Agenu and
some places have one sleeping room attached to verandah (Pidi). Every
house consists of a movable or fixed grinder (Jato) and one ‘Dhiki’ in
verandah. Front portion of the pidi is used for living or gathering space
as well as for guest sleeping zone.
The first floor is used for storage of their food materials like rice,
corn, millet and other valuable goods, money and ornaments and rarely
used for sleeping.
Every house consists of a wide multifunctional courtyard (Aagan)
used for drying the crops (biskun sukaanua) and also use for storage of
straw and other agricultural materials.
In some places like in Manashulu region in Gorkha district, the
ground floor used for firewood collection and used for animal shelter
and the only entry to the house is from the upper floor. For single-storied
house, the use of verandah (Pidi) is as the same function but inner
planning is different. They have two fireplaces one for cooking and
warming the room and the other is for fermentation of alcohol. They do
not have an attic type of floor for storage.
EXHIBITION
Generally every house consists of one cattle shed (Goth) near by

the house that is also used for firewood collection.
Some rich people prefer another small house, which is called as
“Dhansar”. Dhansar consist of two floors. The ground floor is used for
animal shed (If they have large number of animals) and upper floor
consist of two partitions (In general). One partition is used for storage of
unrefined food materials and the other room is used as bed room or
sleeping zone. In some places the upper floor is totally used for living as
well as sleeping room.
Materials & Construction Technology: -
Generally the gurung houses of hilly region are of two-storied
stone building with a wooden framework and roof truss of cgi sheet,
slate or thatch (Khar) covering. The building has a foundation of
builders laid in mud mortar. Stone is also used for pavement of
courtyard (Aagan).
Another highly accepted and widely used building material is
timber which is used for flooring, making door, window, Pillar (Tham)
and rafters. Low class people use bamboo for construction of the walls.
Apart from this brick and mud tiles found in practice.
While constructing the building, locally available tools like khanti,
Kodalo, Pickaxes and shovels are used for the foundation excavation.
Locally available stones are dressed by hammer and used in walls and
foundation. Gurung people have got good knowledge to do such
technical works. Wooden work is also done side by side but it is more
complex and expensive. For woodwork, locally available woods like sal,
chilaune etc are used.

EXHIBITION
For roofing purposes, thatch (Khar), slate and CGI sheet is used.
But thatch (Khar) is very cheap and very common and widely used
materials. While construction, khar is dried and tied into bundle and
layman place the khar on the roof. Long wooden materials called
“Bhhata” are placed in the inner portion. Slate and CGI sheets are also
used but very rarely due to its high cost.
The thickness of wall is 60 to 80 cm painted with red mud and
white mud (Kamero), which gives the better appearance of the house.
Climate Response of the House: -
The climate of hilly region (Gandaki zone) is monsoon type. This

zone has daytime temperature around 15 degrees Celsius in winter and
35 degree in summer. So buildings are designs in such a way that the
maximum comfort can be maintained indoor during any season. Gurung
house consist of sloped roof with projection for rapid flow of water.
The courtyard used mostly at morning time and every during summer
while in winter it is more useful for daytime. So courtyard planning is
very much suitable in this climatic region. Mud plastered buildings are
very suitable in any region because mud provides good heat insulation
that control the rate of heat transmission.
Social and Cultural Aspect: -

As already describe that gurung have ethnic richness or gurung are
very rich in their traditional culture, custom, feast and festival. For
organizing cultural programme, social gathering and for entertainment,
they have designed a cultural house known as “Rodi Ghar” which is

EXHIBITION
always located in the center portion of the village and at the top portion
also (In some places).
Rodi ghar is the public building or public space of gurung society.
According to Gurung languages, “Ro” means ‘listening’ and “Di” means
‘House’. Gurung people enjoy in Rodi Ghar by performing dance,
listening music in night period. People also gather to discuss about
social and public matter. Young generations (Ladies & Gents) are very
much interested in dancing and singing. ‘Rodhi’ is organized to
maintain the discipline and to guide the dance step for the young
generation in presence of “Rodiba” & “Rodiama”who are the veteran
locals. So Rodi Ghar have great social and cultural aspect of gurung
ethnic group. Their own houses also have some social and cultural
aspect. The wide Verandah
(Pidi) is used for gathering purposes about social matter and wide
courtyard are used to perform their typical dance programme like
“Ghatu”,“Sorathi”and others.
Religious Aspects: -
Although the Gurung are predominantly animists (believe
that non-human objects have spirits), they have been strongly influenced
by Hinduism and Buddhism. Every gurung village consist of Gompa or
Gomba, Chorten and mane which are religious space of Buddha
architecture. Gumba consist of highly decorated Buddha images adorn
interior walls. A mane is a replica of a temple. They are creeds, in- filled
with stone inside, constructed for religious proffer to get rid of suffering
in the name of god. Hair or nail of dead people after the Arbung is
placed inside the mane for Nirvana.

EXHIBITION
A chaitya is usually located within the gompa premises or between

the gompa and village. It has a symbolic representation a dome (symbol
of water) rests on a square structurewhich is the symbolic form of the
world and above the dome, are the steps that lead towards enlightenment
(the symbol of fire) which represents the way to “freedom from
suffering”which is called as “Nirvana”. They end up in a half circle
(symbol for wind) and crowned by the sun and moon.
Their own house also shows some religious aspects. Their typical
circular house plan represents the buddisum. According to Buddha
religion circle have no ending point and they have design their dwelling
by this way.putting Dorsing (a flag of Buddhist) in the upper portion of
the house also represents the religious aspects of buddisum.
(b) Brahmin & Brahmin Architecture:

Brahmins, which is considered the highest castes

EXHIBITION
in Nepal, are distributed in scattered patterns all over the country . They
have sharp Indo-Aryan features and olive complexion. Brahmins are
believed to have migrated from India. These people follow Hinduism as
their main religion and socially they have many sects. The Brahmins
also called as ‘Bahun’ are of three types. They are Upadhya, Jaisi and
kumai. Upadhya is so-called higher group than the remaining two i. e.
Jaisi & Kumai. Brahmins’ social practices depend upon Hindu religious
epics. They speak Nepali, the national language of Nepal and use a
script with basis in Sanskrit. The priestly traditions of the Brahmins have
facilitated their taking important roles in the state. These people have
always formed the ruling elites of Nepal and literally dictated the rules
that govern the State. Most Brahmins used to dwell in the central hilly
region, beside that numerous other Brahmins scatter all over the country.
Furthermore, Brahmin is always famous for it’s long slender nose and
Machiavellian instincts.
Bramin Village Settlement Pattern:-

An ideal Brahmin village has a scattered planning, a narrow street
runs through the village with stone paved steps called “Shidi” with 1 to
1.5 m high stonewall called “Perkhal” on both side of the wall. In a
sloppy terrace, houses are built at the uppermost part whereas the lower
parts are divided into small contour for cultivation of crops etc. A
Brahmin village comprises of a singular community (That is to say
people from single cast and class). Brahmin village consist of one family
god temple (Kul devata Ko Mandhir) usually located at the middle part
of the village. The distance between two villages is near about 200 to
500 m far. Generally, a primary or lower secondary school is located in
between 2 or three villages.
EXHIBITION
The Brahmin House:

A typical Brahmin house of hilly region has a rectangular or square
plan. The buildings have three storied .The ground floor consists of wide
veranda (Pidi) kitchen with storage and sleeping zone .The first floor
consist of sleeping room and storage space. The second floor is totally
used for storage purpose of their food materials like rice, corn, millet,
and wheat. Every bramins house consists of two movable or fixed
grinder (Jato) and one traditional tool for crushing rice called “ Dhiki” at
the side of veranda. Kitchen is the most important room of the house,
which is usually located in the ground floor. The kitchen is indicated by
two steps i. e. higher and lower part. The upper or higher portion is
subdivide into two parts –one is fireplace with ‘chula chauka’ and upper
bed, which is locally called as ‘Mathillo Ochyan’ or ‘Mul Ochyan’
which is normally reserved for master of house. No one-expcept elderly
housewife is allowed to enter the ‘Chula-Chauka’ which is also used for
internal puja. The lower portion of kitchen consists of dining space of
children and guest of purest cast, and sleeping space lower bed, which is
called as ‘Tallo Ochayan’. The kitchen consists of two-fire space. The
‘chulo’ is only used to cook meal and ‘agano’ is used to prepare launch,
milk boiling and to prepare ‘kudho’ (Food materials of animal made of
corn flour, water, rice split ‘dhuto’ etc). The staircase (Locally called as
‘Lisno’) is located at the corner of the room.
The first floor (Tala) consists of one or two sleeping room and
other space is used for storage purposes of dry pickle & vegetables and
also used for valuable goods, ornaments and other. The first floor is
quite simple than ground floor.
The second floor consists of wide and long single hall, which is used for
storage purposes of their food materials like rice, corn, wheat, millet etc.
The rice storage device is locally called as “Bhakari” and wheat storage
device is called as “Ghyampa”.

EXHIBITION
Brahmin also consist of another small house near to the house that
is called as “Dhansar”. Dhansar consist of two floors. The ground floor
is used for animal shed (If they have large number of animals) and for
firewood collection. The upper floor consists of two partitions (In
general). One partition is used for storage of unrefined food materials
and the other room is used as bed room or sleeping zone. In some places
the upper floor is totally used for living as well as sleeping room.
Materials & Construction Technology: -
Generally Brahmin houses of hilly region are of three-storied stone
building with a wooden framework and roof truss of CGI sheet, slate or
thatch (Khar) covering. The building has a foundation of builders laid in
mud mortar. Stone is also used for pavement of courtyard (Aagan).
Another highly accepted and widely used building material is wood.
Wood is used for flooring, for making door, window, Pillar (Tham) and
rafters. Poor people use bamboo for construction the wall of the
building. Apart from this brick and mud tile is also used.
While constructed the building, locally available tools like khanti,
Kodalo, Pickaxes and shovels excavate the foundation. Locally available
stones are used and dressed by hammer while constructed wall
foundation etc.works. Wooden work is also done side by side but it is
more complex and expensive. For woodwork, locally available woods
like sal, chilaune etc are used.
For roofing purposes, thatch (Khar), slate and CGI sheet is used.
But thatch (Khar) is common and widely used materials. While
construction, khar is dried and tied into bundle and layman place the
khar on the roof. Long wooden materials called “Bhhata” are placed in
the inner portion. Bramin people have good economic condition so slate
EXHIBITION
and cgi sheet is widely and commonly used. The thickness of wall is 60
to 80 cm painted with red mud and white mud (Kamero), which gives
the better appearance of the house.
Bramin people have very little knowledge of construction
technology of building or they have no train of construction of building
so they hire the workers of different caste like Gurung and Magar for
construction purpose of the building.
Climate Response of the House: -
The climate of hilly region is monsoon climate. This zone has day
temperature around 15 degrees Celsius in winter and 35 degree in
summer. So buildings are designs in such a way that the maximum
comfort provide to the users during any season. Bramin house consist of
sloped roof with projection for rapid flow of water. The balcony is most
useful during hot period for outdoor sleeping. The courtyard used mostly
at morning time and every during summer while in winter it is more
useful for daytime. So courtyard planning is very much suitable in this
climatic region. Mud plastered buildings are very suitable in any region
because mud protect the transmission of heat from outside and heat
cannot loss so fastly.
Social and Cultural Aspects: -
Bramin have no special cultural feature and ethnic richness. But
they have high social status due to the priestly traditions, which
facilitated their taking important roles in the state. Bramins house have
some social aspect. The wide verandah (Pidi) and balcony (Dalan) is
used for gathering purposes to solve any problem of the village or to
discuss about the social matter.

EXHIBITION
Religious Aspect: -
Most of the bramin people follow Hinduism and they have various
types of feast and festival. Bramins are wholly devouted to their
religious feast and festival. They spent most of the time for praying god
and doing puja. They have two puja spaces in their house-external and
internal. External puja space is called as “Tulsi KO Mothe” which is
always at the corner of the courtyard. It is made of mud having small
tree of “Tulsi”at the top portion. It is whitewashed by special type of
mud called “Kamero”. Lower cast (?) are not allowed to touch this
space. This (Tulsi ko Mothe) is the most important feature of religious
aspect of bramin house. Another puja space is located inside the
kitchedn.
(c) Kshetri and Kshetri Architecture:-

Kshetri has considered the highest cast distributed in scattered
patterns all over the country, Nepal. They have sharp Indo-Aryan
features and an olive complexion. Kshetri are believed to have migrated
from the present day Khasa people from Khasi. These people follow
Hinduism as their main religion and socially they have many sects. Their
social practices depend upon Hindu religious epics. They speak Nepali,
the national language of Nepal. The kshhetri are in charge of the politics,
ruler and the governance of the country.
EXHIBITION
Bramin and kshetri have various similarities like they have same
face, status, social cultural religious aspects, their house form and
settlement pattern. But the occupation (Rulers, politician and army) is
difference from bramins and they have good economic condition than
the other cast. So modern and costly materials, technologies modern
facilities are also adapted within their buildings. Others feathers are
almost similar as bramin, which is already described above.
Conclusion: -
While studying for making this report, we have found several key
elements of the hilly architecture (Gurung, bramin and khetri
Architecture). Gurung architecture has some special and unique feature
and ethnic richness, which are the result of their proper knowledge of
construction technology and materials of that climatic region. But they
have lack of toilet, very small opening and lack of chimney in the
kitchen. Their house are not so clean while in bramin house, these
problems are not seen. Bramin have clean house covering with fruit and
kitchen garden, and toilet also. But now days, these house (Gurung,
bramin & Kshetri) are going to lost their unique and original identity by
using concrete technology, which are not suitable aesthetically as well as
climatically.

EXHIBITION

EXHIBITION


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13TH ANNUAL ASA ARCHITECTURAL 2010

(a) Gurung and Gurung Architecture:-

Gandaki zone consisting of Tanahun, Lamjung, kaski, syanjha and

4 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

Gurung House Form: -

Generally, Gurung house of the hilly region have circular,

Generally every house consists of one cattle shed (Goth) near by

7 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

The climate of hilly region (Gandaki zone) is monsoon type. This

Social and Cultural Aspect: -

8 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

9 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

A chaitya is usually located within the gompa premises or between

(b) Brahmin & Brahmin Architecture:

10 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

Bramin Village Settlement Pattern:-

The Brahmin House:

12 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

14 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

(c) Kshetri and Kshetri Architecture:-

16 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

17 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

18 RESEARCH & DISPLAY

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