Brief Introduction of Bhaktapur

A blend of northern art and southern mythological philosophy, the aged arts, architecture and culture is the heritage of Bhaktapur that it inherits from the earlier generations. The Pagoda and  Shikhar style temples, Vihars and Bahis, (traditional Buddhist monasteries), Lonha Hiti (stone spouts), ponds, Pati, math and sattal (public shelters), stupas, city gates, teracotta temples, Dyochhens (residence of Hindu Deities), Jarahns (traditional water tanks), palaces, artistic private houses and other cultural and historical heritages are the major monuments of the ancient city. Recognizing the significance of these well preserved heritages, Bhaktapur Durbar Square was enlisted in World Heritage Sites in 1979 AD.

Bhaktapur is a “Living Heritage” or “Living Museum” displaying the vibrant depth of Newari culture. Great festivals of local Newars, their life style, rituals, Daffas(prayers group) and Guthis and traditional dance groups are  giving life to the intangible heritage of the city. Bisket Jatra (mid April), Gai Jatra (August), Dashain  and Tihar (October/November) are the main attractions of the festivals. Everyone can experience the daily cultural activities performing such as Daffas, Bhajans (hymns), worship, dances, music, rituals, traditional Newari dress and life style while visiting the city. These living heritages have been handed down form centuries in an unbroken chain from generation to generation.

The spectacular Newari cultural heritages of Bhaktapur are the pride of entire human civilization. Keeping in this mind, Bhaktapur Municipality is running restoration of these ancestors’ creations with various plans and programs. For that the city has been collecting tourist entrance fee from every foreign tourist to visit the core area of the city since 1993 and the amount is used for preservation of culture, heritages, cleaning the city, building and developing infrastructure, educating and skilling manpower and making the city as one of the best tourist destinations in Nepal. The Municipality is also distributing grants for wood, traditional bricks and tiles to encourage the local people to build their building in traditional styles. The city has also been successful to be one of the ten cleanest cities of Asia through its cleaning efforts.

Five-storyed temple, Bhairab Nath Temple, 55 window palace, Taleju complex, Jagannath Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Nawadurga Deo Chhen,Tripurasundari Deo Chhen, Siddhapokhari, Kamal Pokhari, public shelters(Pati, Sattal), Jhaur Bahi and Chaturbramha Maha Bihars, City gates,  wells and  water spouts,  etc. are the major monuments preserved by the municipality with public participation. So the ancient city is still maintaining the charm of medieval period and every foreign visitor experiences the life style of centuries back, visiting the city.

Admiring the preservation efforts of this cultural city Bhaktapur, UNESCO honored it with “The First Honorable Mention” for the Asia- Pacific region in 1998/99. And the Transparency International also awarded the city as“Island of Integrity” appreciating its economic discipline and transparency. The credit of all the achievement and success gained by the city goes to the people of last five decades, people’s representatives of the city and all related stakeholders.

After every few steps every visitor will be surprised by the elegant art, architect and cultural heritages of the city and the visit will be life time experience which silently invites them to visit to this majestic city repeatedly.

This amazing city is not only displaying you its century old fabulous art, architect and cultural heritages but also offer its unique eastern hospitality, delicious Newari cuisines, luxurious accommodation, unforgettable handicraft souvenirs through well cultured Newar people, various restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, home stays and curio shops respectively.

Durbar Square:

Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the main square of the city, is a conglomeration 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 palace of 55 windows, the Vatsala Temple, the big bell, the bell of barking dogs, and Pashupatinath Temple (Yachheswor Mahadev Temple) with erotic wood carvings, stone temple of Siddhilaxmi, octagonal structure “Chyasinhmandap”, Phasi Dega (Silumahadev Temple), golden spout, stone spout, Taleju complex, Pahanchhen, replica of Chardham (Jag Nath, Badri Nath, Rameshwor and Kedarnath Temples, four pilgrimage sites of Hindu) and many master pieces 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 roofed 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 Nyatapola Temple, Bhairabnath Temple, Tilmadhav Narayan Temple and Stone sculpture of earthquake protector are the major monuments of the Square.

Dattatraya Square

It is the oldest part of the city which is also an open museum, especially for wood carving. Dattatraya, 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 the square.

Pottery Square

Pottery is known as one of the world’s old professions. In Bhaktapur many potters can still be seen working with their traditional wooden wheels for giving various shape and size to clay. Talako (middle-south of the city) and Suryamadhi (east of the city) are two particular localities of Bhaktapur where earthen pots are made are known as pottery squares. One of them lies five minutes south west of Taumadhi Square and another lies east from Dattatray Square.

Museums in Bhaktapur

The National Art Gallery: Housed in the 55-Window Palace and the adjoining neo-classic white palace in the Durbar Square, the museum is admired for its rich collection of ancient paubha scroll paintings, and innumerable ancient and medieval masterpieces in wood, metal and stone. Among others, the attractions that visitors simply cannot help admire are a stone image of Harihar- a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva, and the fresco paintings on the middle wall of the 55-Window Palace. Open daily, except Tuesday and public holidays, from 9 am to 5 pm.

The Woodcarving Museum: A dazzling gem of the Dattatreya Square, the museum is housed in a 15^th-century royal building, which in itself is no less than an open museum. The wooden objects displayed here vividly portray not only the architectural history of Bhaktapur, but also the changing social outlook and the level of economic development seen over centuries. In addition to the museum’s masterpieces, the world famous Peacock Window, as well as the intricately carved struts, brackets, windows and doors of the massive building equally deserve admiration. Open daily, except Tuesdays and public holidays, from 9 am to 5 pm.

The Bronze & Brass Museum: The museum, Bhaktapur’s third, faces the woodcarving Museum in the Dattatreya Square. Housed in a historic Math noted for its mesmerizing masterpieces in wood, it specializes in such ceremonial and household metalware as ritual lamps (sukunda), hanging lamps (yekhadallu), ceremonial jars, water vessels, cooking pots, inkpots and spittoons. Open daily, except Tuesdays and public holidays, from 9 am to 5 pm.

Around Bhaktapur

The surrounding of Bhaktapur is as mesmerizing as the city itself. Walking or driving around, you will experience the nature in its most serenity, or encounter traditionally attired craftsmen enthusing life in a piece of wood or a lump of clay. Wherever you go, you will see a different aspect of human culture and a distinct dimension of human civilization.  You will experience amazing natural beauty, glorious historical monuments, indigenous life style and panoramic views of high Himalayas. Changu Narayan, Nagarkot, Suryabinayak, Thimi , Nagadesh and Bode are ideal places to visit around the city.

NAGARKOT: At 2,175 meters above sea level, Nagarkot is the second highest point on the Valley rim. Because of generosity of nature, it of late has evolved itself into one of Nepal’s most popular hill resorts. Tourists from all around the world throng this place to observe the nature in its finest, as well as to see the sun rising above the snow-capped Himalayas in the morning and the same sun going down the western mountains in the evening. Nagarkot is an ideal place to enjoy the unobstructed panorama of the Himalayas, from Mt. Everest in the east to Manaslu in the west.

THIMI: A traditional Newar settlement, Thimi is known more for its handicrafts and green vegetables. While the area is admired for its skilled craftsmen, all equally adroit in making papier-mache masks and terra-cotta products, its fertile land is where much of the green vegetables consumed in the entire Kathamandu Valley is grown.

SURYAVINAYAK: The place is popular for both devotees and picnickers. Named after the Ganesh (Vinayak) shrine, which is believed to get the first rays of sun (Surya), the area is serene and soothing because of the height and green jungle dominating the entire territory. It is the best place to see mountains, monuments and men of Bhaktapur at their best. It is the place where people from far and wide come to get their social ceremonies, marriage for example, solemnized.

SANGA: Pleasantly located in between Bhaktapur and Banepa, this old Newar settlement is another place of interest on the Valley rim. The locality is a popular place for watching the wide Himalayan panorama as well as the rural life in its true and pristine form.