Legend has it that the name of the city, Kathmandu, is derived from the Kasthamandap, the oldest known wooden temple built during Lichhavi, which was then formed by two words, Kastha means (wood) and mandon (temple). In Nepal, woodcraft flourished during the Malla period (1482- 1768). Newari architecture in the Kathmandu has a great significance in its story telling. The birth of the Newar style of architecture arose from the technical and organisational skills of Newar society, considered to have originated in the Kathmandu Valley and from which the style got its name. From its origins, this society, present on a large scale in and around the Valley, created sculptural and architectonic works of high quality. The types of clay used, the types of bricks produced, the way they are integrated into buildings with resulting improvements comes from the knowledge acquired through the many aesthetics of the surrounding. Aesthetic appearance varies according to the type of carvings in each construction element. Another important area of wood technology is in the construction of doors and windows, two elements that also contribute to giving the Newar architecture its recognisable style.

Newari windows display the magnificent blend of Newari culture: the fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism. The beauty lies not only in the wood and bricks used, and in their proportion, rather the real beauty lies with the time it was built in for the kind of life it was built for. Every element bears cultural significances linked with their material and spiritual life. From materialistic aspect, human comfort, protection and security. Unlike other forms of art in Nepal, woodcarving is not confined within the boundaries of religious iconographic injunction. The art in wood often depicts the scenes taken from daily lives, flora and fauna, or at times, even from the artist’s imagination.  Tourists were lured to take back pieces of Nepali art as souvenirs. This revived the artists and redeveloped the art buried within. Replicas and miniatures of windows, doors and statues were made and the art of Nepal started to spread all over the world. Traditional woodcarvings are being incorporated in modern interiors of contemporary Nepali homes. The occupation now has gone beyond the monopoly of the ‘Newars’, with many young men and women of different caste and culture embracing the wood art as their occupation. Hence, the Newari design styles are timeless, the classic Newari architectures has seen a rebirth. Nostalgia for the bygone, the architecture of these Newari carvings becomes an icon. Not just a replica, but reinterpretations of what we could achieve with a little spark of ingenuity and a reflection of its history.

As you enter the Dwarika’s, it’s like stepping into another world. Facades covered with a tapestry of carved woodwork, window frames and balconies of starting intricacy. The courtyard displays elaborately carved roof struts, different types of Newari carved windows and its rich architecture. Guests can peek through a doorway into a 13th century wood piece which is placed in Ambica chen, famously known as fusion bar today. The story behind the making of Dwarika’s Hotel has become somewhat of a legend today.
The story goes like this: one chilly winter morning, as Dwarika Das was walking around Basantpur , he saw some carpenters sawing off a piece of an old wooden carved pillar. He discovered that they were doing so to make use of the un-carved sections for making a door frame. He was shocked at this wanton destruction of such precious artifact and, on the spot, he offered to give them new wood in return for the one they were sawing.
Thus, began his lifelong mission to acquire ancient carved wooden pieces lying around in a neglected state, or those that were about to be destroyed.
His collection grew rapidly, and soon enough, the makeshift sheds in his garden were overflowing with such items. This was when he thought of putting them to good use in the making of a heritage hotel. And, so, Dwarika’s Hotel was born.
Lauded widely all over the world, Dwarika’s has been variously described as a boutique hotel, a palace that looks like a museum, and a repository of the country’s heritage.
The hotel and its courtyards are chock-a-block with intriguing artifacts at all nooks and corners, and indeed, Dwarika’s has revived its history by preserving it and presenting it to the world.
However, the real highlights of this heritage hotel are the large beautifully carved Newari wooden windows that adorn the building.
Most of the artifacts, including the windows, were lovingly and carefully restored in the hotel’s own heritage workshop by highly skilled Newar craftsmen of Kathmandu Valley.

Woodcarvings made by these craftsmen are found in the structural parts of Newar houses who have their own particular distinctive pattern which is typical of their cultural heritage.
The general scheme was planned by one mastermind, but the carrying out of each section, each part, each detail, was left to the individual workman. Hence, in the initial phase for the tale of the wooden city, started off with three master carvers.
The storyboard portrays the tale of Mr. Dwarika Das who began the treacherous journey reusing the piece of wood and training three master carvers himself.
The craftsman directly starts working on the raw wood piece, pouring all their skill to bring life out of it, similar to that in stone carving.
The craftsman first selects the right timber for his work, with regard to the strength, color and smoothness required, out of those available.
The craftsman should be very familiar with the body structure and its language and should know the curves and lines of the figure they are working on. Once the raw wooden form is obtained, the craftsman uses finer, smaller and sharper tools to refine the image and adds all the details like eyes, lips, clothes, jewels, body-lines etc.
An expert craftsman can depict emotions and expression and endow life into the statue, or else it becomes just another handicraft item.
As we can see the craftsmanship work reflected around Dwarika’s woodwork. The finest forms of representations and art is reflected on the details of the windows and struts presented in the courtyard of the Dwarika’s.