Bhaktapur is also known as Bhadgaon or the city of
Devotees, is the third major town of the Kathmandu
Valley. Bhaktapur was the capital of the whole valley during
the 14th to 16th century. Much of the town’s great
architecture dates from the end of 17th century. This town
is also well known as Newari Architecture town. Bhaktapur
rises upon the northern bank of Hanumante River. All
foreigners visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square are charged a
fee.
Bhaktapur is also famous for their home made curd which is
known in Nepal as Khopa Dhau. You will get to see lots of
different types of handmade souvenirs (wood-carvings,
puppets, thankas, caps etc.) inside the Square.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is an assortment of pagoda and
shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window
palace of brick and wood. The square is part of a charming
valley as it highlights the idols of ancient kings perched
on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out
from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in very place -
struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows - all seem
to form a well orchestrated symphony.
Fast Facts of Bhaktapur Valley
Location |
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Kathmandu Valley |
Significance |
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UNESCO World Heritage Site |
UNESCO Category |
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Cultural |
UNESCO Listed |
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1979 |
Major Attractions |
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The
Golden Gate |
Popular Sites in
Bhaktapur Valley
The
Lion Gate
The massive gate that dates back to 1696 AD is guarded by
two huge statues of lions at the either sides. The dreadful
stone image of Lord Shiva and the fearful image of
Ugrachandi attract the tourists from far off.
The
Golden Gate (Sun Dhoka)
The Golden gate is said to be the most beautiful and richly
molded specimen of its kind in the entire world. The door is
an embellished with monsters and mythical creatures of
marvelous intricacy. The Golden Gate was erected by King
Ranjit Malla and is the entrance to the main courtyard of
the Palace of fifty-five windows
The
Palace of Fifty Five Windows
Keshav Narayan Chowk is the Northern-most part of the Patan
Darbar palace complex, with the dominating Degutale temple
next to it. This magnificent palace was built during the
reign of King Yakshay Malla in AD 1427 and was subsequently
remodeled 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 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. The gallery is particularly famous among
researchers on Hinduism and Buddhism.
The
Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla
This statue depicts King Bhupendra Malla in the act of
worship and is located on a column facing the palace. This
is considered the most magnificent statue among the many
statues in the squares.
Nyatapola
This is the most famous pagoda of Nepal, which was built in
1702 A.D by Bhupatendra Mala. This temple was dedicated to
Siddhilaxmi, the tantric mother goddess of supreme power.
Nyatapola in Newari means a five tiered symbolizing five
basic elements - water, earth, fire, wind and sky.
Pashupati
Temple
According to a folklore, a Bhaktapur native who was a great
devotee of Lord Pashupati, had a dream in which lord Shiva
told him to build a temple for him so that he could move
into it. He obeyed this command and thus the temple came
into existence.
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