Located 20 kms from Kathmandu lies the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is also known as Bhadgaon and Khwopa in the local language. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara – style temples Bhaktapur is known as the ‘City of Devotees’, the ‘City of Culture’, the ‘Living Heritage’, and ‘Nepal‘s Cultural Gem’. Bhaktapur is filled with monuments, most terra-cotta with carved wood columns, palaces and temples with elaborate carvings, gilded roofs, and open courtyards. The city is dotted with pagodas and religious shrines.
- Golden Gate: Built by King Ranjit Malla Golden Gate is surmounted by a figure of the goddess Kali and Garuda
- Lion Gate: Believed to date1696 AD Lion Gate is guarded on either side by huge statues of lions and alongside, there are two stone images of Bhairav (the dreadful aspect of Shiva) and Ugrachandi (the consort of the Shiva in her fearful manifestation
- Pachpanna Jhyale: Built in 1427 AD during the reign of King Yakshay Malla and subsequently remodeled in 17th Century by King Bhupatindra Malla. 55-Window Palace, which served as the seat of royalty prior to 1769 has elaborately carved windows and
- Art Gallery: The Art Gallery contains ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods and descriptions.
- Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla: This statue shows king Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is set on a column facing the palace
- Big Bell, built by the last Malla king of Bhaktapur, Ranajit Malla in the 18th century. It was rung to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju and to harken the public to town meetings. Today it is rung twice a day as a tribute to the Goddess Taleju. Next to this bell is the Barking Bell, so named because dogs bark to its ring.
- Yaksheswor Mahadev Temple: Built by King Yaksha Malla in the 15th century. It was modeled after the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu and was designed with ornate wooden struts decorated with erotic carvings.
- Phasi Dega Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva this temple provides great view of the entire city.
- Nyatapola Temple: Built in 1702 this 5 stories temple is Nepal’s tallest pagoda temple. It is dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi and it lies in the Taumadhi Square and is famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.
- Bhairavnath Temple: Previously built as a single storied building it was later added with 2 stories by King Bhupitindra Malla in 1718 AD. Dedicated to Bhairav, a the god of terror is noted for its artistic grandeur.
- Dattatreya Square: Built by King Yaksha Malla in 1428 the 3 storied pagoda style Dattatreya Temple is claimed to be constructed from a trunk of a single tree.
Posted in: Palace of Nepal
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