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Like most ancient cities, Kathmandu was formed by the gradual merging of what were once separate villages. Archeological excavations suggest that Hadigaun , now a northeastern suburb, is one of the oldest of Kathmandu's original settlements, though it has now been pretty well absorbed by the metropolis. Evidence of Hadigaun's age comes from the overgrown shrine of Dhum Barahi , located in a schoolyard a further 1km northeastwards (head north out of Hadigaun, and when in doubt always take the right fork). Inside the small brick shelter, which is completely engulfed in the roots of an enormous pipal tree, a whimsical fifth-century image illustrates the tale of Barahi (Vishnu in his incarnation as a boar) rescuing the earth goddess Prithvi from the bottom of the sea. Scholars rave about this sculpture because it dates from a time when there were no established rules for depicting Vishnu as a boar, nor for how a boar should look while fishing the earth from the sea. Locals say the shrine was built at the same time as the nearby Boudha stupa to appease Vishnu, who out of jealousy had caused the stupa's spire to collapse while under construction.
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