HITES AND POKHARIS

In fact one could say that the valley itself was born of a pond (albeit a very large one). According to mythology, the kathmandu Valey was originally a lake known as Nagdaha that was full of snakes (naga. snake deity, daha; lake). It was drained by a Buddhist sage named Manjushree who had come to Swayambhu for meditation. It is, of course, but a myth. What is true, however, is that in the architecturally rich eras of the Licsvi (2nd to 9th century) and malla (14th to 16t century) reigns, many wonderful stupas, temples, and monasteries were built along with numerious it is(stone spouts) and pokharis (pond) as well.