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Bhaktapur Travel Guide
Discovering the Charm and Beauty of Bhaktapur: A Travel Guide
Bhaktapur, located in Nepal, is a hidden gem that is often overlooked by tourists in favor of more well-known destinations. But this charming city has a lot to offer, from its rich history and cultural heritage to its stunning natural beauty. Here's a travel guide to help you explore all that Bhaktapur has to offer.
First, let's start with a bit of history. Bhaktapur has a long and rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the 12th century. The city was once the capital of the Kathmandu Valley, and as a result, is home to a number of historical and cultural attractions. These include the Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to a number of temples, palaces, and museums, and the Nyatapola Temple, a five-story pagoda that is considered to be one of the tallest temples in Nepal.
In addition to its rich history and culture, Bhaktapur is also known for its stunning natural beauty. The city is surrounded by beautiful forests, hills, and rivers, and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. If you're an adventure seeker, then Bhaktapur is the perfect destination for you. The city offers a range of activities, such as hiking, rafting, and paragliding, that will allow you to explore its natural beauty.
But Bhaktapur isn't just about history and nature. The city is also home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, with a number of galleries, museums, and theaters. The Bhaktapur Music Festival, held annually in December, is a particularly popular event that showcases the city's rich musical traditions.
Finally, no trip to Bhaktapur would be complete without trying some of the local cuisine. The city is known for its delicious food, with a range of dishes to suit every palate. Be sure to try some of the local specialties, such as momo (dumplings) and chhoila (spicy grilled meat), and wash it all down with a glass of the local sweet drink, raksi (alcoholic beverage made from rice or millet).
In conclusion, Bhaktapur may not be as well-known as some of Nepal's other destinations, but it definitely has a lot to offer. Whether you're interested in history, culture, or simply want to enjoy the great outdoors, Bhaktapur has something for everyone. So why not start planning your trip to this hidden gem today?
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MAKE AN ENQUIRYBest Places To Visit In Bhaktapur
From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Bhaktapur.
55 Windows Palace
King Jeetamitra Malla built a palace of fifty windows for his 55 wives, one window for each. The palace of 55 windows dates back to the 18th century. Apart from this iconic monument of love, the said king also laid the foundation stone of another iconic structure – the Nyatapola Temple in the vicinity. There is also a sacred pool called Naga Pokari near the palace, which is believed to be used by Goddess Taleju for the daily ritual bath. It was built like a water tank and is surrounded by a serpent.
Bhairavnath Temple , Bhaktapur
Bhairavnath Temple is one of the temples in Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is built in pagoda style. The temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairav, who is considered to be the most ferocious form of Lord Shiva. Originally, the temple had only one storey which was built by Raja Jagat Jyoti Malla. However, in 1717, two more storeys were added to this temple by King Bhupatindra Malla. The idol of Lord Bhairav ​​is about 12 feet tall and is one of the largest idols of Kathmandu Valley.
Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once home to the royal family of Bhaktapur. Known locally as Khwapa or the ancient Neva city, visitors can explore the entire complex which includes four distinct squares – Toumadhi Square, Durbar Square, Pottery Square and Dattatreya Square. Distinctive findings here are the Bhaktapur royal palaces as well as several temples and other ancient structures that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The entire chowk is a huge display of traditional Newari architecture. Each building is a work of art in itself and visitors should definitely enjoy exploring.
Changu Narayan
Changu Narayan is a synonym for both the old Nepali temple and its surrounding village. Located in Bhaktapur district, about 12 km east of Kathmandu, Changu Narayan is the oldest temple in Nepal and has an authentic Newari style of architecture to its roots. With its two-storey brick-red building, the beautiful temple is situated atop a hill called Changu or sometimes Dolagiri. Changu Narayan Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has many incarnations and some other deities.
Dattatreya Temple
Dattatreya Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bhaktapur and is located in the oldest square here, Dattatreya Square, which itself lies to the east of Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is often referred to as Tchapal Tole (market area). Built by King Yaksha Malla in the year 1427 AD, it is also called a unique temple as it was made of wood used from a single tree. In addition, this temple is also dedicated to a unique deity - 'Lord Dattatreya' who is a composite form of the Hindu trinity of gods: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the protector), and, Shiva (the destroyer). This unique temple is three storeys high and is built on a base made of brick and terracotta which is spread across the foundation.
Doleshwor Mahadev Temple
Doleshwar Mahadev Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur district of Nepal. Doleshwar Mahadev Temple holds an important place in Hinduism, it is believed that this temple belongs to the Mahabharata period. The Shiva Linga installed in the Doleshwar Mahadev Temple is considered a major part of the Kedarnath Shivling located in Uttarakhand, India. It is believed that the Shivling established in the Doleshwar Mahadev temple is believed to be 4000 years old. The name of Doleshwar Mahadev Temple comes in the major Shiva temples of Nepal. Devotees from all over the country and abroad come to see Doleshwar Mahodav.
Golden Gate
The magnificent Golden Gate is a visual attraction of Durbar Square. Housed in a bright red gatehouse surrounded by white palace walls, the magnificent golden portal boasts some of the finest repos metalwork in Nepal. The gilded toran features a magnificent Garuda wrestling with several supernatural serpents, while below is a four-headed and 10-armed figure of the goddess Taleju Bhavani, the family deity of the Malla kings. Construction of the gate began during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla (r 1696–1722), and the project was completed in 1754 by his successor, Jaya Ranjit Malla.
Nyatapola Temple
Nyatapola Temple is an 18th century temple located in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It is the tallest building in the valley and the tallest temple in the country. The temple was built in 1702 and is dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Lakshmi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The idol of the Goddess installed in the sanctum sanctorum is considered very frightening. Although only the temple priests enter the sanctum sanctorum, visitors can see the rest of the temple. Nyatapola Temple was built during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla. He belonged to the Malla dynasty.
Siddha Pokhari
Siddha Pokhari is an artificial rectangular pond located near the main entrance of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. This is one of the old and traditional ponds of Nepal. It was built in the 15th century during the rule of King Yaksha Malla. Siddha Pokhari is also known as Ta-Pukhu. The pond is surrounded by buildings, however, snowy mountain peaks can also be seen on a clear day. Ta Pukhu is a popular destination for locals as well as tourists.
Taleju Temple
Standing like a silent guard of Durbar Square, Taleju Bhavani Temple is one of its most auspicious and amazing attractions. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhavani and was built by the Malla kings to ward off evil. The main attraction of the temple is that it is built in the style of 'Mandala'. The bell of Taleju, a symbol of devotion to the goddess Taleju, is installed inside the royal palace. It is said that the bell is rung during the worship of Goddess Taleju.
Taumadhi-Square
Situated right next to the famous Durbar Square, Toumadhi Square often goes unnoticed when visiting Bhaktapur, but one has to be explored to learn about the ancient legends and admire the ancient architecture. The square is very popular among tourists because of the beautifully structured stones and carvings on the wood. Stone sculptures are a major attraction in this square. It represents the ancient life in Bhaktapur. Also known as Toumadi Tole, it has much prestige due to being the site for the Nyatapola Temple, the tallest temple in Nepal.
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