Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Hanuman Ghat

It is religious site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. River banks often used by the local people to burn dead bodies called 'Ghat'. People have the practise of visiting such ghats areas in teh early mornings to wash themselves purifying their body and then to go about visiting temples and images of gods and goddesses, a process of purifying one;s mind and soul. Ghats usually have one or more crematories where the dead bodies are burned to ashes and the ashes in turn are thrown into the rive as a part of Hindu/Buddhist culture. There are several such Ghats in around Bhaktapur.

Hunuman Ghat is very popular Ghat in Bhaktapur, it spreads to a larger area with many religious images, objects and structures scattered around in such array that even a non religious perosn would start feeling differently once visiting there. For tourists it is like alking about in an alien land. The largest Shiva Lingam in nepal, temple of Ram , numerous store sculptures, small stupas, shiva lingams, more can be observed in this Ghat area. Visiting this place in the early morning is recomanded. One can observe how a day begins for a religious traditional Newar in Bhaktapur.

NAGARKOT

Nagarkot, located 32 kilometers east of capital city Kathmandu and about 18 Kilometers from historic city Bhaktapur.Nagarkot is located high on the hill (approximately 7500 ft. above sea level) to the north east corner of Bhaktapur, is famous for its panoramic view of mountains, sun rise and sun set. Nagarkot has availability of different types of accommodations of Five star hotels to small cottage lodges.

Nagarkot view

Its one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur district and is renowned for its spectacular sunrise view of the Himalaya when the weather is clear. Visitors often travel to Nagarkot from Kathmandu to spend the night so that they can be there for the breathtaking sunrise. Nagarkot has become famous as one of the best spots to view Mount Everest as well as other snow-topped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. It also offers an excellent view of the Indrawati river valley to the east. With an elevation of 2,195 meters, Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Valley and is described by visitors as a place whose beauty endures year round.

Surya Vinayak Temple

Situated at the walking distance fo about 2 KM to the south of the city is the holy shrine of god Ganesh ( God of well beginning and successful completion of work) . The temple of Ganesh is placed in a sylvan setting to catch the first rays of the rising sun. It is a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscapes.

Changu Narayan:Changu Narayan Temple

The temple of Changunarayan is said to be the oldest in the Kathmandu Valley. Listed in the World Cultural Heritage, it is also a scenic spot situated at the altitude fo about 1700m and 4 KM to the north of Bhaktapur and 22 KM east of Kathmandu. The most authentic iscription located in the precinct of Changu Narayan is dated 464 AD and is accredited to the Lichhavi King Mandeva. Changu Narayan Temple , located high in the hill just to the north of Bhaktapur, is the oldest existing pagoda temple in Nepal . The temple was dedicated to lord Vishnu by the Lichhavi King in the Fifth Century. It is said to be the oldest temple in the Valley. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979. 

Wakupati Narayan temple

At a little distance on teh eastern side of the Dattatraya Square, a loverly specimen in the metalwork, the Wokupati Narayan Temple is enclosed within a stone paved coutyard. This two sotried pagoda style temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu dates back to 1667 AD. No where else other than here would one see four Garudas, the bird vehicle of Lord Vishnu, at a single place in a row.

Nava Durga Temple

From a religous point of view, the shrine of Nava Durga the nine manifestations fo Goddess Durga has a high place in Bhaktapur. Nava Durga is also the combination of nine protective mother Goddess of the city. The three storied shrine which lies in Kwathando-4, Bhaktapur also popular for the its elaborately carved windows and doors. It seems huge crowd of devotees during Dashain (October), the greatest festival of Hindu in nepal. A wood carved window and the nothern facade displays the Chariot of Bhairav which has its own importance and significance.

Kancha-Pukha:




Kanchu-Pukha located to the south of the Dattatrya square is one of hte most amazing architectural pond. The unique improtance of the pond lies in the fact that it perfectly displays the image of the Nayatapolea Temple. Despite being situated at the distance of over 500m from the temple and densely packed tall houses standing between them, the beautiful reflection can still be viewed and enjoyed.

Palace of 55 Windows,Durbar Square Bhaktapur

Palace of 55 Windows,Durbar Square Bhaktapur  The Palace of 55 Windows was built during the early 15th century and later renovated by Bhupatindra Malla in 1754.  The balcony with 55 windows is known for its unique and marvellous woodcarving. part of the palace has been converted into an Art Gallery. Its entrance is flanked by the Hanuman as the Tantric Bhairab and Vishnu as Narsingha.  The Art Gallery has a fine collection of thangkas, palm leaf manuscripts, rare paintings and fine examples of the craft heritage of Bhaktapur.

Palace of 55 Windows,Durbar Square Bhaktapur

The Golden Gate

•  The Golden Gate is located near the Art Gallery of the Royal Palace. The Golden Gate was built by the last Malla king in the middle of the 18th century.
•  This gate is one of the artistic masterpieces of the valley and set into the glazed brickwork.
•  Percy Brown, the historian also described the Golden Gate as the loveliest work of art in the whole of Nepal.

•  The goddess Kali and Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu is shown killing serpents on the gate. 
• The four-headed and 16 armed figure of Taleju Bhawani, the personal deity of the Malla dynasty is shown below the figure of Garuda.

Bhairavnath Temple

Bhairavnath Temple,Taumadi Square Bhaktapur

• The three-storeyed Bhairavnath Temple stands on the right of Nyatapola Temple. 
• This temple was built in the 17 century but was reconstructed after severe damage caused by the earthquake of 1934. 
• This temple has a dance platform in front and the Shiva and Narayan shrines behind the temple. 

Nyatapola Temple, Taumadi Square Bhaktapur

• 
  The Nyatpol (or Nyatapola) Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi, lies in this square. Built in 1702 with 5 stories, this is Nepal's tallest pagoda temple.
  
  It's struts, doors, windows, and tympanums are decorated with carvings of divine figures, including a pair of 2 m high stone statues of the legendary Rajput wresters-Jaimal and Pata; a pair of elephants, a pair of lions, a pair of griffons and a pair of tantric goddesses known as Singhini and Toyahagrini.
• The Bhairavnath Temple, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1934 and subsequently rebuilt, houses a gilded bust of the terrifying Bhairav, considered either a manifestation of Lord Shiva or a deity that guards his home.

History of Bhaktapur city

Statue of Bhupatendra Malla, second last king of Bhaktapur

Founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla (according to various chronicles), Bhaktapur was the capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom until the 15th century and was an independent kingdom from then until the 18th century.

The last three Malla rulers of Bhaktapur were Jitamitra Malla, Bhupatindra Malla, and Ranjit Malla. These rulers played key roles in building the palaces and temples of Durbar Square.

In 1744, Prithvi Narayan Shah, descendent of Dravya Shah, who was the founder of the Gorkha dynasty, began a conquest march in the Kathmandu Valley, capturing and unifying Kathmandu,Patan, Bhaktapur, and the smaller towns of the Valley under one rule.

After a period of instability and a bloody coup in 1846, Jang Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji took control of Nepal. His Rana dynasty ruled Nepal until 1951, when the Congress Party formed a new government. In 1960, King Mahendra took control, banned political parties, and instituted land reforms. Political turmoil continued throughout the late 20th century.

In 1934, a major earthquake destroyed over 2,000 houses and severely damaged over 2,000 more homes. Over 1,000 people died in this quake. Restoration of many buildings was undertaken over the years, including efforts funded by West Germany in the late 1980's and by the U.S. in the 1990's.

Dattatraya Temple, Bhaktapur

Dattatraya temple, Bhaktapur

Dattatraya Temple built in 1427 A.D. by king Yakshya Malla and his son Raja Malla is the only temple in Nepal that is dedicated to the God Dattatraya – the combined incarnation of three supreme gods of Hinduism; Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. According to the legend, an influential and highly respected Indian ‘yogi’ returning from his pilgrimage, died here. (Nepalese have the culture of considering visitors as Gods and treating them likewise. Specially ‘yogis’ (traveling saints) are highly respected as learned ones.) So the shrine was built in his memory by then rulers as a tribute. It is believed that the temple as a whole was built using timber from a single tree.

Originally the temple was only two storied. Additional construction was done latter on. The main beauty of the temple is its unique architectural design and the intricate woodcarvings artistically decorated all over the structure. An wooden figure, the figure of Dattatraya can be seen overlooking the square from the central window of the second floor. Probably a way of giving the impression that God is watching us all. 

The additional attractions of the shrine are displayed at and about the front. At the entrance the temple is guarded by two large stole sculptures of Jaiput wrestles Jaimala and Pata as in Ngatapola temple. By the sides of these sculptures a conch & a “Chakra” (a discus like weapon) the attributes of Vishnu is displayed above 3m high stone pillars. A Beautiful Gold gilded metal statue of Garuda - the vehicle of Lord Vishnu is positioned at the front of the temple on top of another stone column. One might also be interested in the wood carved erotic panels around the temple, which still is used for sheltering yogis and pilgrims.

Welcome to Bhaktapur City

" Bhaktapur Durbar Square"

Bhaktapur locally known by Khwopa is world renowned for its elegant art, fabulous culture and indigenous lifestyle. For its majestic monuments, colorful festivals and the native Newars best known for their long history of craftsmanship, the ancient city is also variously known as the "City of Culture", the "Living Heritage" and "Nepal’s Cultural Gem". Given such unequaled opulence in ancient art and culture, Bhaktapur is more like an open museum, and the ambiance here is such that it instantly transports visitors back by centuries the moment they step into its territory.

Bhaktapur has its gem in the Durbar Square : a World Heritage site listed by the UNESCO. Strewn with unique palaces, temples and monasteries best admired for their exquisite artworks in wood, metal and stone, the palatial enclave has bewitched pilgrims and travelers for centuries. Yet, they are not all though. Adding to the mesmerizing environs is the holy Himalaya that makes the backdrop of the city. Stretching all along the township, the panoramic Himalaya levitates in the skyline as if to keep vigilance on the city’s enviable beauty and splendor.

Bhaktapur, at 1,401 meters above sea level, spreads over an area of 6.88 square kilometers. It grows from a collection of villages strung along the old trade route between India and Tibet. The capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom till the 15th century AD, Bhaktapur was founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla, but it was only in the early 18th century that this city took its present shape. It was at that time that many of Bhaktapur’s greatest monuments were built by the then Malla rulers.

Located about 20 km east of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is known as the 'City of Devotees', the 'City of Culture', the 'Living Heritage', and 'Nepal's Cultural Gem'. It is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The others are Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Patan.

Bhaktapur is filled with monuments, most terra-cotta with carved wood columns, palaces and temples with elaborate carvings, gilded roofs, open courtyards. The city is dotted with pagodas and religious shrines.

Lying along the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, Bhaktapur is surrounded by mountains and provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas.