BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE (UNESCO World Heritage Site):

Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square Nepal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with stunning temples and rich history.

City of Devotees – Bhaktapur is a treasure trove of artistic creations displayed on the temples and monuments of the city. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is an elegant and open space facing south surrounded by buildings dating from the 13th century to the 18th century. The 15th century Palace of 55 Carved Windows called Pachpanna Jhyale Durbar and the palace entrance, the Golden Gate – a masterpiece in repoussé art, have added splendor to this palace square. The extraordinary Durbar Square with its extraordinary monuments reflects the glory days of the Malla dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the three cities of the valley.

In front of the palace, building are innumerable temples and architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla mounted on a giant stone pillar and the Batsala Temple. The stone temple of Batsala Devi is full of intricate carvings and is a beautiful example of Shikhara-style architecture. There is a bronze bell on the terrace of the temple, which is also known as the Bell of Barking Dogs. Erected by King Ranjit Malla in 1737, its sounding announced the beginning and end of a daily curfew.

GOLDEN GATE: The world famous Golden Gate rubs shoulders with the 55-Window Palace. An unparalleled specimen of repousse art dating back to 1756 , it is the entrance to the marvelous Taleju Temple Complex. Getting into it leads to a number of artistica-lly designed chowks (courtyards) including the Royal Bath, which is adorned with the well-admired Golden Faucet among others.

THE PALACE OF 55 WINDOWS: This magnificent Palace was built during the reign of King Yaksha Malla in 1427 A.D., and was subsequently remodelled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the seventeenth century. Among the brick walls, with their gracious setting and sculptural design, is a balcony of fifty-five windows, considered to be a unique masterpiece of woodcarving.

THE PICTURE GALLERY: The Picture Gallery is of considerable value which contains ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism of various periods and descriptions. This gallery is open everyday except Tuesday.

NYATAPOLA TEMPLE: The unique temple of Bhaktapur, the Nyatapola literally means ‘five storied’ and rises above the city’s landscape as a remarkable landmark. It also has the distinction of having withstood the devastating earthquake of 1933. Dedicated to a Tantric goddess, the steps leading up to the temple are flanked by stone sculptures of deities and mythical beasts, each 10 times more powerful than the one immediately below. The Nyataponla Temple presides over the Taumadhi Square. Dating back to 1702 AD, the colossal five-storied edifice is the country’s tallest pagoda temple. The struts, doors, windows and tympanums—each embellished with attractively carved divine figures—perfectly portray the creative tradition of Newar craftsmen. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Laxmi, the manifestation of female force and creativity. The latest major renovation of this monument was carried out in 1997 AD by Bhaktapur Municipality using the revenue it collected from tourists.

THE STATUE OF KING BHUPATINDRA MALLA: This statue showing King Bhupatindra Maila in the act of worship, can be seen placed on a column facing the palace. Of the square’s many statues, this is considered to be the most magnificent.

BHAKTAPUR DURBAR MUSUEM: Located within the palace complex, this museum houses a collection of art and artifacts from the Malla period. Visitors can take a tour of the museum to learn about the history and culture of the region.

BHAIRAVNATH TEMPLE: Dedicated to Bhairav, the God of Terror, the three-storied temple of Bhairavnath has only the head of Bhairav in the inner sanctum. Legend has it that the Bhairav’s head was cut off by a Tantric expert in order to keep him in Bhaktapur. Built-in pagoda style, the temple is noted for its artistic grandeur and stands adjacent to the famous five-storied Nyatapola Temple.

DATTATREYA SQUARE takes its name from the Dattatreya Temple dedicated to a three-headed combination of the Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This temple is said to have been built from the trunk of a single tree. Near this temple is a monastery with exquisitely carved peacock windows.

SIDDHA POKHARI: For a small city, Bhaktapur has the largest number of public water tanks built within the city limits. Siddha Pokhari, which dates back to the Lichhavi period, is situated at the bus stop. This large rectangular pond teems with fish and has stone images of different Hindu and Buddhist deities on the walls surrounding it.

POTTERY SQUARE: Located in the center of Bhaktapur, this square is known for its pottery workshops and is a popular destination for visitors to watch local artisans at work. It is also a great place to shop for handmade pottery and other crafts.

LOCAL MARKETS: Bhaktapur is known for its traditional handicrafts, such as woodcarvings, pottery, and textiles. Visitors can explore the local markets and shops to purchase souvenirs and learn about local culture.

BHAIRAVNATH TEMPLE: This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Bhairava and is known for its intricate carvings and beautiful architecture. It is a popular place of worship for Hindus and is open to visitors of all faiths.

JAGANNATH TEMPLE: This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Jagannath and is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings. It is a popular place of worship for Hindus and is open to visitors of all faiths.

KEDARNATH TEMPLE: This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings. It is a popular place of worship for Hindus and is open to visitors of all faiths.

BATSALA TEMPLE: The stone temple of Batsala Devi depicts many intricate carvings; however, it is most famous for its bronze bell, known to local residents as ‘the bell-of barking dogs’, as when it is rung, all dogs in the vicinity begin barking and howling! The colossal bell was hung by King Ranjit Malla in 1737 A.D. and was used to sound the daily curfew. It is nowadays rung every morning when goddess Taleju is worshipped.

THE PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE-This temple is a replica of the famous temple by the Bagmati river in Kathmandu and is widely noted for the erotic carvings on its struts. 11 was built by King Yakshya Malla

Nearby Places,

THIMI is a Newar town situated about 8 km east of Kathmandu on the way to Bhaktapur. Besides farming, most of the households here are engaged in pottery. This laid-back town not only supplies Kathmandu its pottery but also its vegetables. The two important deities here are those of Balkumari Temple, dedicated to the Mother Goddess, and Karunamaya, the Buddha of Compassion.

SURYA BINAYAK: The temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesh. Situated in a thick forest to the south of Bhaktapur, it is a 20-minute walk from the bus stop. The temple is crowded with devotees especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

CHANGU NARAYAN TEMPLE (World Heritage Monument): It is situated on a ridge overlooking Bhaktapur, about 12 km to the east of Kathmandu. Dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it is one of the oldest specimens of pagoda architecture in the valley. The temple dating from the Licchavi period is embellished with exquisite wood and stone carvings.

Doleshwor Mahadev
The Doleshwor Mahadev temple is located at Sipadol-6, just 4 km south of Jagati of Bhaktapur. This temple is worshiped as the head of the Lord Kedarnath. According to the long-held belief, the head of the deity originated in this place while the remaining part of the body is located in Kedarnath of India. A large rock outcropping amidst green forests is worshiped as a representation of Lord Kedarnath. People can touch and worship the stone deity only three times a year during Shiva Ratri, Akshaya Tritiya, and once on the Nepalese month Bhadra to mark the day the sacred rock was declared the head of Lord Kedarnath Mahadev.

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