Bhaktapur Durbar Square, often referred to as the heart of the city, is like stepping into a historical museum showcasing ancient artworks and buildings from the medieval period. This palace holds the prestigious status of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is carefully managed by both the Archaeological Department of Nepal and Bhaktapur Municipality. Situated approximately 15 kilometers (about 9.32 mi) away from Kathmandu, it features a diverse mix of architectural styles, including Pagoda, Shikhara, and Newari, all centered around a palace possesses fifty-five windows made of brick and wood. Attractive with numerous statues, detail wood carvings, and magnificent temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses, the Bhaktapur durbar Square is renowned for its depiction of Nepal’s rich artistic tradition. Notably, it showcases golden statues of kings atop tall stone pillars, with guardian deities watching over from their sanctuaries. Additionally, pottery and weaving industries thrive in the area, adding to its cultural significance.
While the original Royal palace of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, believed to have been built by King Jayasthiti Malla in the late 13th century and named Yuthuniman Rajkula, no longer stands, the present palace preserves many stories and insights into the history and contributions of the monarchs who once ruled here. In the 15th century, King Yakshya Malla expanded the square and laid the foundation for the 55 Windows Palace, which took three generations to complete and was finished during the reign of King Bhupatendra Malla in the 17th century. Throughout the Malla era (12th – 18th century), the square served as a crucial political center, hosting royal court sessions, ceremonies, and other significant events.
Despite its former glory, Bhaktapur Durbar Square has faced considerable losses over the years due to frequent earthquakes, notably those in 1833 and 1934. While it once possessed an impressive 99 courtyards, today only about 15 remain. Sadly, many of the damaged structures have not been fully restored, leaving only a handful preserved.
The palace complex comprises four distinct areas: the Durbar area, Taumadhi area, Dattatreya area, and Pottery area, with the Durbar area retaining the palace’s primary designation.
This palace offers unique chances to experience the best of ancient Nepali art all in one location. Alongside businessmen, handicraft producers, and public employees, there are various other individuals who contribute to the city’s character. Juju Dhau (Yoghurt), Bhadgaule Topi (Black Cap), Haku Patasi (black saree with border), pottery, and handicrafts are key symbols of the city and are famous for their uniqueness. Visitors can admire treasures like the Golden Gate, the 55 Window Temple, the Statue of Bhupatindra Malla, the Museum, the Krishna Temple, the Big Bell, the Dog Barking Bell, the Siddhi Laxmi Temple, the Taleju Bhagwati Temple, Natpole, Nagpokhari, and more.
The Golden Gate, a creation of King Bhupatindra Malla, exemplifies remarkable artistic excellence on a global scale. Originally constructed to honor the Taleju Bhawani temple, it was designed by skilled artisans in the pagoda roofing style. A combination of bricks, mud mortar, stone, wood, and gold-gilded copper was used to craft this distinctive structure. Adorned with elaborate Hindu motifs and crowned by the deities Kali and Garuda, it serves as the entrance to the courtyard of the fifty-five palaces. Subsequently, King Ranjit Malla oversaw the reconstruction of this gate.
The National Art Museum, located in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, showcases an impressive array of artifacts including stone inscriptions, sculptures of deities, a notable collection of thangka paintings, and ancient palm-leaf manuscripts dating back to the 11th century. Originally built by King Bhupatindra Malla, this part of the palace was transformed into a museum in 1960. At the entrance stand two imposing stone statues of lions, crafted in 1698, flanked by idols of Vishnu’s avatar Narasimha and the four-armed tantric Hanuman. The ground floor houses a collection of stone inscriptions and deity sculptures, while the upper floor displays manuscripts and thangka paintings centered around Hindu themes. Reflecting the rich art and craftsmanship of the medieval era, the museum provides insight into the cultural heritage of the region. Additionally, the Wooden and Metal Craft Museum is situated in Dattatreya Square.
The Woodcarving Museum, situated at the old Pujari Math in Dattatreya Square, is approximately a ten-minute walk from Durbar Square. The Pujari Math, regarded as one of the oldest priests’ dwellings in the Kathmandu Valley, was reconstructed in 1763 following the blessing of King Yakshya Malla. Later, in 1979, it underwent renovation by German experts, serving as a wedding gift to King Birendra at the time.
The museum possesses courtyards attractive with finely carved windows and pillars, showcasing magnificent examples of woodcarving from past centuries such as the Mara Vijaya, Pooja Devi, Viswaroop, and Aryatara. On the first floor, visitors can explore a room attractive with paintings depicting stories from the Ramayana and Krishna Leela. These paintings are not directly on the walls but on wooden platforms attached to them. Additionally, paintings of Nava Durgas (Astamatrika) and Lord Vishnu’s Dasa Avatar adorn the beams and ceilings, creating an authentic decorated environment.
Ascending to the third floor, visitors encounter a collection of beautiful wooden art pieces, including statues of Bhairava, Vishnu, Buddha, Nitya Devi, Tara, Bhrikuti, Ganesha, Shiva, and others.
The museum is a home for art enthusiasts and practitioners alike, offering a glimpse into Nepal’s artistic heritage. One of the highlights of visiting the museum is the opportunity to capture photographs of these centuries-old crafts.
The museum, situated adjacent to the woodcarving museums in Dattatreya Square, was originally a Math, or priest’s house. This museum is dedicated to showcasing the Newari way of life. The Newars are the indigenous people primarily residing in the central Nepalese districts around the Kathmandu Valley.
The exhibits primarily consist of bronze or brass items, many of which have undergone renovation and are in excellent condition. The displays include items commonly used by both the general populace and the monarchy. These artifacts, mostly dating back to the Malla period, encompass various aspects of daily life such as worship patterns, lamps, water pots, horns, and other objects, illustrating the humble existence of the common people.
The museums offer visitors insight into the Newar culture, emphasizing their significant contributions to art and architecture.
This tiny area holds the history of Bhaktapur city’s establishment and the contributions of its various kings. As visitors stroll through Durbar Square, they catch glimpses of remarkable masterpieces erected throughout different periods. Due to restrictions on vehicles in the Durbar area, walking is necessary, allowing for leisurely exploration. Beginning from the west, striking stone carvings of Ugrachandi and Bairava at the entrance of Padma School are encountered, followed by the impressive Gopinath Temple and the popular Kedarnath Temple. Despite its modest size, the square is surrounded by typical Newari houses, temples, a museum, and the royal palace. However, natural disasters like the earthquakes of 1934 and 1990 caused some temples and palaces to vanish beneath the ground. On the northern side lies the National Art Gallery, preserving sculptures dating back to the Malla periods, including those from destroyed temples. Moving eastward, visitors will be amazed by the beautiful craftsmanship of the Golden Gate, considered the finest creation of the Malla reign, leading to the stunning 55-windowed palace and the Taleju Temple, dedicated to a powerful tantric deity. Exiting the Golden Gate, one encounters the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, demonstrating reverence towards Taleju rather than portraying the king’s image. Apart from these landmarks, there’s much more to discover in Durbar Square, including the Vatsala Durga Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Taleju Bell, Chyasalin Mandap, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, Phasidegal Temple, stone lions, Kumari House (home of the living goddess), and the Durbar Square Hiti (stone tap) at the end of the row. This square is brimming with stories, from monuments to chapel pillars, each with its own fascinating tale. Thus, it’s an ideal place to ignite the imagination, as statues may remain silent, but narratives can be woven.
Taumadhi Square is situated adjacent to Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is one of the four squares in the area. The finest examples of stone sculptures, traditional stone spouts, water tanks, and wood carvings proudly showcase their illustrious history. Within this square, two prominent temples stand out: the magnificent Nyatapola Temple, built in 1702, gracing the northern part with its impressive five-story structure reaching towards the sky, and the Bhairavnath temple positioned to the east. Other notable landmarks in this square include the Til-Madhav Narayan Temple, the Narasimha Temple, and various significant stone structures.
Pottery Square, as its name suggests, is a square filled with pottery works, conveniently reachable within a short walk from Bhaktapur Durbar Square. While not as expansive as Durbar Square, it serves as a busy hub for shopping Nepali handicrafts. The square’s focal point is often crowded with clay wares and local grains, showcasing beautiful craftsmanship. Despite its compact size, Pottery Square is home to three temples—Ganesh Shrine, Vishnu Temple, and Jeth Ganesh Temple. Additionally, it hosts ceremonies such as the rising and setting of the non-hand lingo during Bisket Jatra, a prominent festival in Bhaktapur. Visitors can also explore a thangka school, experience the serene dedication of artists and their artistry, making it the best place to unforgeable memories.
This square, known as the last among the four charming squares in Bhaktapur, is often visited last due to its proximity to a main exit point. Despite being the final stop, it holds many surprises for visitors. Named after the Dattatreya Temple, which worships a part of the Hindu trinity, this square offers various attractions. Walking north from the temple, visitors encounter the Salayan Ganesh Temple and the Ganesh Pokhari, a large man-made pond dedicated to Lord Ganesh.
Another notable temple in the square is the Bhimsen Temple, dedicated to the god of trade, with the Bhimsen Pokhari stone tap located behind it. The Vishnu Temple, also known as the Narayan Temple, stands in front of the Dattatreya Temple, positioned in the temple’s right corner.
These temples hold significant cultural importance, and the square also possess two museums the Woodcarving Museum and the Brass and Bronze Museum displaying ancient wood carvings and metal craftsmanship from the Bhaktapur kingdom. Additionally, a must-see attraction in this square is the famous Peacock Window, accessible via a narrow street, where visitors can peacefully admire its decorative beauty.
The Nyatapola Temple stands as the tallest pagoda-style temple in Nepal, five stories atop a 5-plinth platform accessed by 33 steps, reaching a height of 33 meters. Constructed in the late 17th century during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Laxmi, a manifestation of Goddess Durga symbolizing wrath and Tantric powers. Each aspect of the temple holds significance in tantrism, with the five roofs representing the elements earth, fire, water, air, and sky and the five plinths featuring pairs of statues representing strength and power, from wrestlers to elephants to mythical creatures.
The temple’s intricate carvings depict less aggressive forms of Siddhi Laxmi, believed to be formidable yet revered even by Bhairav. Though the temple’s interior is inaccessible to visitors, it is rumored to house a black-painted idol of Siddhi Laxmi with eight heads and multiple arms holding various weapons and demon heads. Outside the temple, visitors can admire fewer imposing idols of the goddess in the middle of beautifully carved details. With a refreshing breeze and a panoramic view of the square, exploring the Nyatapola Temple is an enchanting experience.
The Peacock Window, located in Dattaraya of Bhaktapur, is a renowned tourist attraction constructed in the 15th century under the reign of King Yaksha Malla. Situated on the second floor of the Pujari shrine near the main temple of Dattatraya. Originally serving as the residence for soldiers and royal officials close to King Haksha, this shrine stands as the largest among several in Bhaktapur. Notable for its diverse artistic shapes, each window and door in the building features distinct designs, showcasing the craftsmanship of competing carpenters during its construction.
Utilizing woodwork from the 15th century, the shrine’s bricks were replaced following earthquake damage. Peacocks, revered by both Hindus and Buddhists, are believed to bring favorable and fruitful times, inspiring the construction of the Peacock Window during Yaksha Malla’s rule to bring prosperity to the town’s inhabitants. Today, the building operates as a museum showcasing ancient handicrafts and paintings to the public. Entry requires a fixed fee, and the museum is open on all days of the week except Tuesdays and Public Holidays.
