Bhaktapur Durbar
Square
The main square of the city contains innumerable temples
and other marvelous architectural showpieces like the
Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the
Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate, the Batsala temple
and the Bell of Barking Dogs. An intriguing part of
this square is the fifteen-century Palace of 55 windows.
There is an entrance fee of Rs. 30 for SAARC nationals
and Rs. 300 for other foreign visitors.
Nyatpola Temple
King Bhupatindra Malla built this five-storey pagoda
in 1702 A.D. It stands in a five-terraced platform.
On each of the terraces squats a pair of figures:
two famous wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two
griffins and Baghini and Singhini (the tiger and the
lion) goddesses. This is one of the tallest and is
famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.
Bhairavnath Temple
This temple was first built as a one-storey pagoda
but later changed into a three storey temple in 1718
AD by King Bhupatindra Malla. The temple is noted
for its artistic grandeur. It is dedicated to Lord
Bhairav- the god of Terror.
Dattatraya Square
The square takes its name from the Dattatreya temple
dedicated to a three-headed combination of the Hindu
deities Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva. Dattatreya square
is a perfect place to experience the feel of the traditional
urban layout of Bhaktapur. Set in a maze of streets
lined with richly ornamented houses, the square is
framed for its many ornate Hindu monasteries known
as Math. The National Woodworking Museum is also housed
here and the Brass and Bronze Museum is across the
street.
Potter's Square
A two-minute walk south of Durbar Square brings you
to Bolachhen, also known as Potter's Square because
of the many potters seen here molding wet clay into
different kinds of earthenware. It has a display if
fresh pottery left out to dry in the open square.
This place can be approached from Taumadhi Square
also. The elephant-headed Lord Ganesh is the patron
of potters, thus the Jeth Ganesh temple in the square.
Surya Vinayak
Situated in a thick forest to the south of Bhaktapur,
the temple of Ganesh is placed in a Sylvan setting
to catch the first rays of the rising sun. It is one
of Kathmandu's most popular pilgrimage spots. It is
also a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive
landscapes.
Thimi
Situated 8 km east of Kathmandu city, Thimi is a farming
town with a population of 32,000. Exquisite temples
and other religious shrines dot its streets. It is
known for its artistic masks and earthen pots, often
seen spread out on the streets to dry in the sun.
Homespun cotton cloth is another specialty of Thimi.
The Bronze and Brass Museum
The museum is housed in a fifteenth-century Math opposite
the Pujari Math at Tachapl Tol. It has a rich collection
of domestic and ceremonial metalwares such as inkpots,
spittoons, ordinary and ritual lamps. It opens daily,
except Sundays, Mondays and holidays from 9 am to
4 pm.
Changu Narayan : The temple, situated at Chingu
village 12 km to the eat of the city, is fully dedicated
to the Hindu God Vishnu (the god of creation). The
temple is believed to be the most ancient temple in
the Kathmandu valley. The temple covers over sixteen
hundred years of Nepalese art history presenting some
of the best samples of stone, wood and metal craft
in Nepal. There is also everyone's favorite statue
of Vishnu sitting astride his steed. For a view of
the ancient arts this is a must see place.