Highlights
- Explore Changu Narayan Temple
- Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Trying Juju Dhau (King of Yogurt)Which is authentic to the ancient city of Bhaktapur
- Golden Gate and Nyatapole Temple
- Pottery Square of Bhaktapur
Overview
BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE
Bhaktapur is known as Khwopa in local Newart fongue the cultural capital of Nepal, Bhaktapur's history goes back to the early 8th century and it used to be the capital city of Nepal from the 12th to the 15th century. Until the 18th century, the ancestors protected the city as a sovereign country surrounding it with boundary walls and a few city gates in different directions. The city inside the Boundary shaped like a flying pigeon and the city spreads over an area of 6.88 sq. km and lies to 1401 meters above sea level. Bhaktapur gives shelter 1o almost 100 thousand people, most of whom are peasants. Businessmen, handicraft producers, and public employees. Juju Dhau ( King Yoghurt), Bhadgaule Topi (Black Cap), Veritie of Pottery, and handicrafts are the identifiers of the city and are well known for their uniqueness. It is religious harmony that unites the people in the city as they belives in different religions. Every cultural activity and festival, irrespective of its religion, is observed with full and equal enthusiasm.
A mix of northern art and southern mythological philosophy, the aged arts, architecture, and culture are the heritage of Bhaktapur that it inherits from the earlier generations. The Pagoda and Shikhar style temples,traditional Buddhist monasteries, stone spouts, ponds, Pati, math, and public shelters, stupas, city gates, teracotta temples, traditional water tanks, palaces, artistic private houses, and other cultural and historical heritages are the major monuments of the ancient city of Bhaktapur.
Places of Intrest around Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is also surrounded by very exciting places. Taking the sightseeing tour around the city, you will get to experience amazing natural beauty, glorious historical monuments, indigenous lifestyle of locales, and panoramic views of the high Himalayas. Changu Narayan Temple, Nagarkot Hill, Suryabinayak, Thimi, Nagadesh, and Bode are ideal places to visit around the city.
Dattatraya Square
Dattaraya square is the oldest part of the city which is also an open museum, especially for wood carving. Dattatraya, one of the the oldest temple of the city, Bhimsen temple, water spouts, peacock window, and other various size and shaped windows and Maths are the major art and architecture of this site. Brass and Bronze, and wood carving museum also can be observed in around the square area.
Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the main square of the city is a collection of stone art, metal art, wood carving, and terracotta art, and architectural showpieces. The Golden Gate, Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla perching on the top of stone monoliths, National Art Gallery, the 55 windows palace, the Vatsala Temple, the big bell, the bell of barking dogs are other highlights of the area. Yachheswor Mahadev Temple with ancent erotic wood carvings, the stone temple of Siddhilaxmi, and octagonal structure "Chyasinhmandap" are must see monuments of the site. Silumahadev Temple. golden spout, stone spout, Taleju complex, Pahanchhen, a replica of Chardham (Jag Nath, Badri Nath, Rameshwor and Kedarnath Temples, four pilgrimage sites of Hindu) and many masterpieces of stone sculpture are the main attraction of the square.
Taumadhi Square
Taumadhi is the next important square of the city where the best example of engineering and architecture of multi Toofed temples and rectangular temples can be observed Best craftsmanship of stone sculptures. Stone spouts, traditional water tank, and wood carving are proudly exhibiting their glorious history. The Bhairabnath Temple, Nyatapola Temple, Tilmadhav Narayan Temple, and Stone sculpture of earthquake protector are the major monuments of the Square.
Pottery Square
Pottery is known as one of the world's old professions. In Bhaktapur, you will witness many potters working with their traditional wooden wheels for giving various shapes and sizes to clay. Talakwo (middle-south of the Durbar squre) and Suryamadhi (east of the city) are two particular and famous localities of Bhaktapur where earthen pots are made are known as Pottery Square.
Map of Bhaktapur Durbar Square