Kirtipur's ancient Buddhist temples and stupas up close

The image depicts a narrow alleyway in Kirtipur, Nepal, lined with brick buildings. In the foreground, a set of concrete stairs descends into the alley. On the left side of the stairs, a thick patch of greenery grows, with a metal railing bordering the stairs. A large green water tank is situated to the right of the greenery. Further down the alley, a traditional gateway with a red-tiled roof, supported by wooden columns, spans the path. Beyond the gateway, the alley continues, with more brick buildings visible on either side. A young boy wearing a dark blue shirt is lying on the stairs looking upwards, his head propped on his hands. In the upper floors of the buildings, balconies are visible, with some people standing or leaning over the railings. The sky is overcast. The overall scene suggests a residential or mixed-use area within a Nepalese city.

The image depicts an exterior scene in Kirtipur, Nepal. In the foreground, two ancient brick stupas covered in moss stand on a stone courtyard. A brown and white dog is visible on a set of stone steps to the left of the stupas. Further into the background, a building with a tiled roof covered in vegetation is visible. A person wearing a red robe is walking down a set of stairs toward the building, and several other people are also present in the background. Prayer flags are strung across the top of the image. The overall environment appears to be a religious or historical site within a city.

The video shows a statue of Buddha seated in a niche within a stone structure. The niche is weathered and appears to be part of an ancient building. The statue itself is also worn and aged, with visible details like the Buddha's hands folded in his lap and a lotus base. The surrounding stone is rough and textured, with moss and lichen growing in some areas, suggesting an outdoor or neglected environment. The camera pans slightly upwards to reveal the top of a stupa-like structure with prayer flags strung across it. The stupa is white and adorned with a golden finial. The overall impression is one of an ancient religious site, possibly a temple or monastery, with elements of decay and enduring spirituality.

The image depicts an outdoor scene in Kirtipur, Nepal, featuring a stone lion statue in the foreground, facing away from the camera. Behind the statue, a traditional stone temple with a multi-tiered roof stands prominently. To the right of the temple, a modern multi-story building with orange brick and white accents is visible. Several vehicles, including a white car and motorcycles, are parked in the area. The ground is paved with stones and concrete, with some patches of moss. Overhead, numerous electrical wires crisscross the sky, suggesting a dense urban environment. A street sign is partially visible on a pole to the left of the lion statue. The overall atmosphere is overcast.

The image depicts a close-up view of ancient stone statues in Kirtipur, Nepal. In the foreground, a stone statue of a human-like figure with a mustache and a red mark on its forehead is positioned in front of a larger, multi-armed stone deity statue. The deity statue is seated and elaborately carved, with multiple hands and detailed ornamentation. Behind the statues, the facade of an old temple or shrine is visible, featuring intricate stone carvings, arched niches with smaller statues, and barred windows. A small bell hangs from a wire on the left side of the temple structure. The overall scene is weathered, with moss and dirt visible on the stone structures, suggesting age and exposure to the elements. The lighting is diffused, and the colors are muted, contributing to a somber and ancient atmosphere.

The image shows a traditional wooden building with a tiled roof that has grass growing on it. The building is dark in color and has a weathered appearance. There are windows covered with metal grates and a central wooden door with multiple locks. A decorative valance hangs below the roofline. The building is set against a backdrop of a cloudy sky and some modern buildings in the distance. In front of the building, there is a paved courtyard with terracotta tiles. A small set of concrete steps leads up to the building. To the right of the steps, there is a yellow metal chair. A red trash bin is visible on the far right. The building appears to be part of a temple complex or an old residential structure in Kirtipur, Nepal.

The image depicts an outdoor scene in Kirtipur, Nepal, with a cloudy sky overhead. In the foreground, a stone structure with multiple tiers and weathered surfaces is prominently featured on the right. To its left, a multi-story building with vibrant green and orange facades displays windows and balconies, with laundry visible on one of the balconies. Prayer flags, strung across the top of the image, add a touch of color against the overcast sky. The ground appears to be paved with stone. The scene is devoid of people and focuses on architectural elements and atmospheric conditions.

A low-angle, close-up shot shows the upper portion of the Swayambhunath stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, located in Kirtipur, Nepal. Prayer flags, torn and weathered, are strung across the frame against a cloudy sky. The stupa's white dome is prominent in the foreground, with a golden, tiered spire rising above. The spire is adorned with decorative elements, including a prominent pair of painted eyes, a common feature of Buddhist stupas, representing the all-seeing eyes of Buddha. A smaller, darker, stone structure, possibly another shrine or part of the temple complex, occupies the right side of the image, showing signs of age with moss and lichen growth. The lower section of the stupa and the surrounding brickwork are visible, hinting at the surrounding ancient architecture. The overall impression is one of weathered spirituality and cultural heritage.

This image shows a weathered, stone niche within a crumbling brick structure, likely located in Kirtipur, Nepal. Inside the niche, a dark, seated stone statue is visible. The statue appears to be of a religious figure, possibly Buddhist, with a distinctive red marking on its forehead and dark paint or pigment applied to its eyes and robes. The surrounding stone structure is rough-hewn and shows signs of age and decay, with cracks and discoloration. The overall scene conveys a sense of antiquity and perhaps neglect.