Araniko's Mark

 Araniko’s Mark

The master of pagoda-style architecture, Araniko, strengthened the bond between Nepal, China, and Tibet, transcending borders, and revolutionized Buddhist art under the Yuan Dynasty, leaving an indelible mark, such as Beijing’s White Stupa and the Rato Machindranath Temple in Lalitpur.  Recruited by Kublai Khan’s court, he not only shaped imperial monuments but also forged enduring cultural ties between the Himalayas and China, cementing his legacy as one of history’s most influential cross-cultural artists. Born around 1245 AD during the Malla period, Araniko came from a highly skilled artisan Newari family in the Kathmandu Valley. Araniko’s training took place in Patan, a hub of Buddhist art and craftsmanship, mastering traditional Newari art and architecture, which included Pagoda-style temple design, metal casting, Thangka painting, and stupa construction. 

In 1260, the Tibetan Lama Drogon Chogyal Phagpa(Kublai Khan’s spiritual advisor) visited Nepal seeking artisans to build Buddhist monuments. Araniko, then only 17 or 18 years old, impressed Phagpa with his talent, leading a team of 80 Nepalese artisans to Tibet, where he built the Golden Stupa of the Sakya Monastery. His fame reached Kublai Khan, who invited him to China in 1262 to help develop a golden stupa(known as the white stupa or white pagoda) in Beijing. Araniko impressed the Chinese court with his skills and eventually became the Chief Imperial Architect. Araniko also introduced lost-wax metal casting to China. 

He passed away in 1306 CE when he was around 61 years of age in Dadu(Beijing), where he served as the Director of Imperial Workshop for decades. As Kublai Khan’s favorite architect, Araniko received a high-ranking noble title, the “Duke of Liang”.

Araniko represents Nepal’s golden age of craftsmanship and cultural exchange. His early works in Nepal, though less documented, laid the foundation for his revolutionary impact in Tibet and China. He is often credited with helping to bridge architectural traditions between South Asia and East Asia. Araniko’s legacy lives on in both Nepal’s iconic temples and the pagodas that dot China’s landscapes.