Travel Diaries: 2017

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is in front of the royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the current town of Bhaktapur , also known as Bhadgaon,which lies 13 km east of Kathmandu Valley. While the complex consists of at least four distinct squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square), the whole area is informally known as the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is a highly visited site in the Kathmandu Valley.

History

It is the home of traditional art and architecture, historical monuments and craft work, magnificent windows, pottery and weaving industries, excellent temples, beautiful ponds, rich local customs, culture, religion, festivals, musical mystic and so on. Bhaktapur is still an untouched as well as preserved ancient city that is itself the world to explore for tourists.

Landmarks

Layaku (Durbar Square)

The most important of all the tourist sites in bhaktapur, Bhaktapur Durbar Square is renowned as one of the most attractive destination for Nepali as well as international tourists. The area is called "Layaku" in Newari language. Ancient temples and shrines, sculptures and historical heritage sites constructed in different eras carry the identity of this city.

Highlights of the ancients Nepali art like golden gate, 55 Window Temple, Statue of bhupatindara Malla, Museum, Krishna Temple. Big Beel, dog Barking Bell, Siddhilaxmi Temple, Taleju bhagwati Temple etc can be observed in one place here. this durbar square is also a hub for local residents to get some refreshment after fatigue and to stroll around to have some fun time. This place can sasily be reached through different parts of Bhaktapur.

NYATAPOL DEVAL - Five Storied Temple

The tallest and most impressive pagoda styled temple of Nepal, Nyatapol is situated at word number 11 of Bhaktapur Municipality. This beautiful temple made of clay bricks and wood, is considered one of the finest architectural masterpieces of Nepal. Inside the temple, an idol of deity. Siddhilaxmi, who is the manifestation of wealth, has been installed. it is said that the temple survived the ravage of the major earthquake in 1933 (Except some minor damage to the ceiling of the fifth floor)

Bhairab Nath Temple

The temple of Bhairavnath is a famous ancient temple lying close to historical Five-Storey Temple. the temple has the idols of bhairavnath and God Betame. There is a popular legend regarding the location of this temple. The story says that Lingo Festival was very famous in Bhaktapur in the ancient days and even the God Bhairav of Kashi made a visit to Bhaktapur to observe the festival in the guise of a man. The king on learning the visit of Bhairav commanded his misisters and Aachaju (People with knowledge of necromancy) to catch him and keep him in the city. Aachaju while looking for bhairav using his magic saw his head taller than other people. As Bhairav tried to escape, sinking himself on the land, his head was cut by sickle. Late it is believed that aachaju was full of remorse for cutting the head of bairav and through his magic he got the head of Bhairav placed in the temple to begin the worship. That is way, it is velieved that Bhairav has got his torso in Kashi, India and head in Nepal.

The Lion Gate :

Dating as far back as A.D. 1696, this gate is guarded on either side by two huge statues of lions. Alongside, there are two stone images of Bhairav (the dreadful aspect of Shiva) and Ugrachandi (the consort of Shiva in her fearful manifestation).

The Golden Gate :

The Golden Gate is said to be the most beautiful and richly moulded specimen of its kind in the entire world. The door is surmounted by a figure of the goddess Kali and Garuda (the mythical man-bird) and attended by two heavenly nymphs.

The Palace of Fifty-five Windows :

This magnificent palace was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 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 with Fifty-five Windows, considered to be a unique masterpiece of woodcarving.

The Art Gallery:

The Art Gallery contains ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods and descriptions. This gallery is open everyday except Tuesday.

The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla:

This statue showing King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is set on a column facing the palace. Of the square's many statues, this is considered to be the most magnificent.

POTTERY SQUARE

Pottery Square is one of the beautiful tourist sites of Bhaktapur. the square is famous for artistically shaped potteries made out of clay. Tourists love to see potteries made of clay before their eyes. Tourists to not miss the visit of pottery square. They take pains to reach the square and take lots of photos.

SIDDHA POKHARI

The pond made by the Malla King, Yaksha Malla, is the largest pond of the city. According to the general belief, moving around the pond after carrying out of a deed leads to fetching of a desired result. This clean pond is also a home for fish farming.

Local tourists throung the pond during holidays. The scene of people throuwing food scraps at fish and trying to catch the glimpse on their cameras is quite common during holiday time. The place is a dating point for amorous couples. The pond is near Bhaktapur hospital, which lies at a distance of 2 km from Sallaghari Bhaktapur.

Major festival

Bhaktapur is also known as the city of festivals and celebrations. The city celebrates festivals each month starting from new year festival to the Holi purnima at the end of the year.

Bisket Jatra(New year festival)

Kumar Khasti (Sithi Nakha)

Gathamaga charya

Sa: Paaru (Gai Jatra)

Gunla

Pulu Kisi (Indra Jatra)

Sithi Nakha

Dhanya Purnima (Yomari Purnima)

Maghe sankranti (Ghya-chaku sankranti) (Makar Sankranti)

Shree Panchami

Getting There:

From Kathmandu you can take bus (Local Transport) from bagbazar buspark to bhaktapur durbar square.Its approx 12-14 Kms from kathmandu. If you private taxi them it will cost 3500-4000 NPR approx.