Spotlight: Nepal's historic buildings severely damaged by massive earthquake

The 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck central Nepal on Saturday has not only claimed thousands of lives but also hit hard on the country's valuable ancient architecture.

The death toll of the disaster has climbed to 4,349, and the number of the injured has exceeded 8,517, with more than 6 million people impacted, according to the country's home ministry.

In the meantime, more than 400,000 buildings have collapsed. At least 14 historic buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged, including 12 on the list of UNESCO World Heritages.

As Buddhism and Hinduism developed over the centuries throughout Asia, both religions prospered in Nepal and produced a powerful artistic and architectural fusion beginning at least from the 5th century AD, the UNESCO website said. The two religions "truly come into its own" in the period between 1,500 and 1,800 AD.

The damaged buildings mostly lie in the worst-hit Kathmandu Valley, which includes seven locations of historic monuments and buildings: Durbar Squares (meaning royal palace squares) of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, two Buddhist centers and two Hindu centers.

The massive quake has flattened at least 90 percent of public squares, Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples in the valley, the state-run Nepal TV reported.

At the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, part of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace has collapsed, and four temples -- Kasthamandap, Maju Deval, Trailokya Mohan Narayan Temple and Narayan (Vishnu) Temple -- have been completely destroyed.

The Hanuman Dhoka is a royal palace of the Malla kings mainly built in the 17th century. The historic period of the Mallas was important for its flourishing Nepalese art and architecture, the UNESCO website said.

The three-story Kasthamandap, after which Kathmandu is named, was built in pagoda style design in the early 16th century.

Two ancient Buddhist buildings and a landmark tower in Kathmandu also suffered damages in some degree.

The Swayambhunath, a religious complex with a history of about 1,500 years, had its main building slightly damaged, and its surrounding ones toppled down. The Boudha Stupa, which has the largest stupa in Nepal, suffered cracks on its main body after the quake, with the side ones destroyed.

The nine-story Bhimsen Tower, also known as the Dharahara, completely collapsed in the disaster. Dozens of bodies were found in the rubble. Built in 1832, the tower was the highest building in the city. It was once destroyed in a massive earthquake in 1934 and rebuilt afterward.

The Durbar Square of Patan, located in the city of Patan, or Lalitpur, about 14 km east of Kathmandu, witnessed the collapse of the Hari Shankar Temple, Char Narayan (Jagannarayan), King Yaganarender Malla's statue among some other statues.

At the Durbar Square of Bhaktapur, located in Bhaktapur, or Bhadgaon (meaning "the city of devotees"), the Vastala Durga Temple was totally destroyed, while the top of the Fasidega Temple and the Shiva Temple collapsed.

The royal squares in the three cities together documented a highest point in artistic expression in the mid 18th century, when three rival kingdoms divided the valley and competed among themselves, according to the UNESCO website. Endi