Bhaktapur Durbar Square is enlisted in UNESCO’s cultural world heritage site in 1979 and it is 17 kilometers eastwards from Kathmandu is literally translated as the place of Devotees or the city of glories, elegant wood carving, or Bhadgaun the city of rice fields. Bhaktapur is populated with Newar ethnic community among the 3 cities in Kathmandu Valley. Bhadgaun became an independent city under King Anand Malla in the 12th century and had made its own Durbar Square with several temples replete including features of erotic carving. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of the Medieval Malla Dynasty. The golden effigies of kings perched on the top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in every place-strut, lintels, uprights, tympanums, gateways, and windows, stone and metal artworks, pagoda styles temples, these all make Bhaktapur well-orchestrated symphony. Also, it has very interesting cultural traditions with several festivals, pottery, and weaving industries. The German Government had funded the restoration and preservation of uniqueness.
Newari culture, tradition, and unique and elegant wood carving are major attractions besides that “JUJU DHAU” yogurt is also very popular in Bhakatpur. The city was also badly damaged by the earthquake in 2015. So many historic temples collapsed. The archaeological department and UNESCO are frequently building up the damaged temples and sites.
What to see in Bhaktapur
Royal palace: including 55 windows palace (Build in the 15th century). Golden Gate, Bhupatindra Malla stone statue, Pashupati temple ( full of erotic), Royal bath center, Taleju Bhavani temple, a national art gallery with an extensive collection of tantric cloth paintings. Most of them were destroyed by earthquakes and continuously built up again.
Pottery Square: potters are doing this work from generation to generation, which you can see here in pottery square. Different items of pottery and grain laid out to dry in the sun also you will see locals are weaving baskets and strings for local skills and backing side of Pottery.
Nyatapola Temple: Nyatapola temple (Siddhi Laxmi) is a 5-story pagoda design temple that was erected by King Bhupatindra Malla 5 months after the end of the 16th century. This temple was never damaged by a strong earthquake. And has 10 different signified guards guarding the main door.
Bhairavnath temple Bhairav is the dreadful aspect of Lord Shiva built by King Jagat Jyoti Malla, occasionally Hindus are scarifying animals in this temple. This temple has been damaged many times by earthquakes.
Dattatraya Temple: The temple of Dattatraya is as old as Fifty-five Windows Palace. Consecrated by King Yakshya Malla in 1427 AD, this temple, according to popular belief, was built out of the trunk of a single tree. It was subsequently repaired and renovated by King Vishwa Malla in 1458 AD. Only this temple has a balcony among several Hindu temples. On the balcony, Goddess Parbati is gazing at outer activities. This temple also preserves some simple erotic statues.
Peacock windows: These famous windows were carved during the reign of King Vishwa Malla, also on the same clustered building there is the Bhaktapur wooden carving museum.
Ta Pukhu (Siddha Pokhari): Ta Pukhu is a big rectangular water pond near the main city gate. It was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in the early 15th century.
