Jogbir Sthāpit was a renowned Nepalese architect best known as the designer of Narayanhiti Royal Palace and renovator of the Swayambhustupa in Kathmandu. He was a master of both Western and traditional Nepalese building styles.
Early life
Jogbir was born in Kathmandu into the hereditary Newar caste of builders. His family nameSthapit means "establish" in Sanskrit. His father's name was Asha Maru Sthapit and his mother was Jogawati Sthapit. He married Dan Maya after the death of his first wife Gyan Thakun. Sthapit's ancestral neighborhood Thāymaru is located in the central part of the city.
The construction of Narayanhiti Palace in 1886 is among the highlights of Sthapit's career. Narayanhiti was built on the grounds of the palace of Ranaprime ministerRanodip Singh Kunwar after it was demolished following his assassination by his nephews in 1885. The new prime minister Bir Shamsher hired Jogbir Sthapit to build a new palace where his uncle's palace once stood. Narayanhiti was then made the royal palace, and Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah became the first king to live in it. Previously, the Shahroyal family stayed at Hanuman Dhoka Palace at Kathmandu Durbar Square which was the seat of the old Malla kings. In 1958, Sthapit's imposing creation was razed to the ground by Prithvi's grandson King Mahendra who started plans for a new palace. Narayanhiti Palace as it looks now was completed in 1969. It was turned into a museum after Nepal became a republic in 2008.
Swayambhu stupa
Sthapit was equally skilled in traditional architecture. And in one of the greatest heritage restoration projects in Nepal which lasted from 1918 to 1921, the Swayambhu stupa was completely redone under his supervision as the chief engineer. The spire was dismantled and rebuilt. The central shaft was renewed. The five Buddha shrines set into the dome were covered with gilt copper, a new statue of Vairocana Buddha was installed, and four new shrines were built to house statues of Tara. A row of prayer wheels were also installed all around the stupa. Trader and philanthropist Dharma Man Tuladhar headed the project and was one of its chief sponsors. Jogbir Sthapit was also a benefactor and donated to religious causes. He sponsored a special Samyakceremony, a Buddhist alms-giving festival, in Nepal Era 1018. It was held at Bhuikhel, a field at the foot of Swayambhu Hill. In Nepal Era 1020, he erected a votive stupa behind the Ajimā Temple on top of the hill. Its red brick face design is unique amid the large number of stone shrines there.
