(Tachapal) Dattatrya Square

Dattatraya Square

Like the Durbar Square, the Dattatraya Square is also like an open museum. the seat of royalty till the late 1500’s, it is home to the ancient city’s best known masterpieces, especially those in word.

Dattatraya Temple: it is the only temple in Nepal that is dedicated to Dattatraya, the combined form of Hinduism’s Supreme Triumvirate, Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Preserver and, Shiva, the Destroyer. Dating back to the early 15th century AD, it is believed to have been built with the stem from a single tree.

Peacock Window: One of Bhaktapur’s best known masterpieces in wood, the latticed window has an intricately carved peacock in its center. It dates back to the 15th century.

Wane Layeku: Located at the south western corner of the Dattatraya temple, the historic complex is noted for Bhaktapur’s second Taleju shrine. It sees throngs of people, especially during the Mohani festival (October), when a rare Ghau batacha (water clock) put on public display. The artefact in old days was used by the then rulers and astrologers for fixing “propitious moments” for commencing and concluding various state and social ceremonies.

Pujari Math is the most prominent among Bhaktapur’s best known Maths (accommodation for monastic priests). It is admired for its exquisitely worked wooden windows and doors. The Math was built by King Yaksha Malla in 1763 AD, and an annual caravan carrying tributes to the monastery from Tibet used to visit the place till a few decades back.

Bhimsen Temple (1657): The massive rectangular temple is shrine to Bhimsen, the god of traders. Squat and open on the ground floor, the two storied structure dates back to the early 17th century. Behind it is an attractive water spout named after the same deity.

Salan Ganesh Temple: Small but splendidly made, the ornately decorated temple is dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant headed Hindu god.

Wakupati Narayan Temple (1667): Enclosed within a stone paved courtyard, the two storied pagoda houses an image of Lord Vishnu. And nowhere else other than here would one see four Garudas, the bird vehicle of Lord Vishnu, at a single place. Next to it is Bhaktapur’s second Pottery Square.