Located in the southern part of the Kathmandu valley, Bhaktapur is one of the most important pieces of evidence of Nepal’s cultural heritage. Known as the ‘City of Devotees’, this historic Newar city entices visitors with the UNESCO-lister Durbar Square, temple carving, and arts. When walking around the territories, you feel like you are in a corresponding time zone framed by impressive masterpieces of Nepalese construction and fine art. The steep rise of Nyatapola Temple and Pottery Square’s barter market all narrate Nepal’s history and heritage. Get ready to be mesmerised by this cultural touchstone that continues the history of Moldova.
What Is Bhaktapur Famous For
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Bhaktapur is one of the three cities in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, known for its finest examples of Nepalese architecture and its cognomen—The City of Devotees—underlying the majority of its population’s faith expressed through numerous temples. Durbar Square, which has been enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage, is filled with the beautiful architecture of the Newars, some of which are the 55-Window Palace and the Golden Gate.
Being a city of details on wood carving, pottery, and other local art products, the city of Bhaktapur equally fashions visitors with festivals such as Bisket Jatra and Gai Jatra. “Juju Dhau” or “King Curd” helps boost the city’s appeal. Automobile-free zones enshrine the ability to interlink slender lanes and confined courtyards, which gives tourists a taste of local traditions. Bhaktapur is an amazing place that preserves Nepal’s history, culture, and art, making it the perfect place for people who want to be closer to Nepalese reality.
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Places To Visit In Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is an outstanding museum. You can slowly walk along its narrow streets, turn around the corner, and find a new, fabulous sight. Here are some of the top places to visit in Bhaktapur:
1. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
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The main enclosed courtyard or ‘durbar’ of Bhaktapur, this square is a perfect representation of the cultural base of the city. Sprinkled with temples, monuments, and a palace complex, it demonstrates Newari architecture and craftsmanship at its best. Wood and stone carvings at the internal part of the palaces and the beautiful metalwork truly evoke the flavour of the Nepalese golden age. Being a UNESCO site, one can see some of the country’s royal past and religious arena. The crowd and the surroundings of the square, which are filled with people who are generally occupied with their routines, contribute to the mood and do not look staged in any way.
Timings: From 6 Am
Famous for: Sprinkled with temples, monuments, and a palace complex, it demonstrates Newari architecture
2. Nyatapola Temple
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Nyatapola Temple Also among the most recognized landmarks in Nepal, the Nyatapola Temple is an incredible example of Newari architecture. Standing for goddess Siddhi Laxmi, the outstanding architecture of this temple is a five-storied pagoda style and is visible from various parts of Bhaktapur. With such precise work and harmonious plan that responds to the symmetry, the temple impresses with the mastery of craftsmen of the 18th century. Each level is protected by reps of stone guards, who get beefed up the higher you go. How the temple has withstood earthquakes is largely attributed to the construction material and God’s protection.
Timings: From 7 Am
Famous for: Nyatapola Temple Also among the most recognized landmarks in Nepal
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3. Dattatreya Temple
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It is a temple constructed in 1427, and it has detailed work. There are even sculptures of sexual embrace symbolising the tantric sexual cult. The temple interiors consist of peacock windows as masterpieces of Newari art, a manuscript library, and bronze items. From the standpoint of religion and art, it has exposure to Nepalese syncretism and art and, therefore, fills the cultural value.
Timings: From 6 Am
Famous for: It is said to have been built as a temple for the deity trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and contains beautiful carvings on wood
4. Pottery Square
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A prominent recreation area of Newari pottery, Pottery Square is an appealing insight into Nepali ceramics. The craftsmen use wooden wheels and give their formations a centuries-old touch. Potential visitors can see all the stages of pottery production, from moulding to firing in authentic kilns. Several stores around the square offer pottery in different forms, ranging from usable utensils to artistic pieces. It is an excellent place to purchase local products and accessories handmade by locals.
Timings: From 10 Am
Famous for: A prominent recreation area of Newari pottery, Pottery Square is an appealing insight into Nepali ceramics
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5. Changu Narayan Temple
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Located in the Changu village on the hilltop, this old temple is quite proof of the architectural and religious history of Nepal. It is also worshipped as another temple of Vishnu, which contains some of the best works of carved stones, wood, and metals from the Kathmandu valley. There are many temples and holy places within it, and it also has many statues, shrines, and inscriptions, some of which belong to the Licchavi period. It is strategically located and is surrounded by natural beauty in the form of valleys, and this, too, is a plus.
Timings: 5 Am – 2 Pm
Famous for:It is also worshipped as another temple of Vishnu containing some of the best works of carved stones, wood and metals of the Kathmandu valley
6. Taumadhi Tol:
Image Credit:Taumadhi Tol for Wikimedia Commons
This busy street clearly depicts the culture and commercial activity in Bhaktapur. It has a real vibe of Newari’s architecture, surrounded by Newari houses with beautiful carvings on the windows and doors. Numerous temples are found on this street, including Nyatapola, which is very large. Every shop has all local traditional items covering everything from pottery to traditional clothes and even thangkas. It is particularly popular at night, and since people of Bhaktapur and tourists mix here, it is a perfect place to see the lives of Nepalese people.
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7. Bhairavnath Temple
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This temple is exclusively devoted to Bhairava, the ferocious form of Lord Shiva. The speciality of this temple is its architecture. Standing at a height of three stories or rather floors, the building entails a pagoda design with wooden engravings of what looks like gods and other mythical characters. For your information, the temple has become more active with numerous rituals for festivity. Due to its proximity to other important religious structures within this part of Bhaktapur, this shrine is an important component of the city’s religious architecture. These structures show the significance of the Bhairava deity in temples and communities of the country.
How To Reach Bhaktapur
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Bhaktapur is a city in the Bagmati Province of Nepal, near Kathmandu, the capital city. Here are the best ways to reach Bhaktapur:
By Air:
The nearest airport to Bhaktapur is Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The place is about 13 km away by air, and getting to it is easy through hired taxis and public transport buses.
By Bus:
One can easily get on a bus from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur as frequent buses run. From the Ratna bus stand or Ring Road stand in Kathmandu, one can easily get a minibus and alight at Kamal Binayak stand in Bhaktapur. Consequently, one has to take a big bus from Baagbazaar in Kathmandu and alight at Chyamasingha.
By Taxi or Private Car:
Tourists can take a taxi or any other private car from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur. This is preferable since one can pre-make arrangements, especially if they are a large group or prefer a comfortable ride. The trip takes approximately half an hour to an hour, depending on the traffic lights.
By Local Bus:
Local buses from Ratna Park Bus Park in Kathmandu and Lagankhel Bus Park in Patan are available. These are longer than taxis or private cars since they make many stops but are on the same route and exposed to similar traffic conditions.
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Bhaktapur is a place you should visit when in Nepal, specifically when on a tour. This city of believers is a historic site that provides an unadulterated experience of Nepalese art and architecture. For the art lover who wants to appreciate old temples or watch craftsmen in action, Bhaktapur is not to be missed. Thus, take your luggage, embark on Nepalese cultural exploration, and let yourself and your senses be enticed and enchanted by the last gem of Bhaktapur on your next trip to Nepal.
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Cover Image Credit: Bikrampratapsingh for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Bhaktapur
When is it recommended to travel to Bhaktapur?
The best time to travel to Bhaktapur is in October and November because of favourable weather conditions conducive for travelling.
What are some of the specialties that I must eat from Bhaktapur?
Juju Dhau is creamy yoghourt prepared from buffalo milk and it is believed to be the specialty of Bhaktapur.
Can I get a cooking class in Bhaktapur?
Yes there are several local families and Guest Houses that can teach travellers actual Newari cooking lessons for everyone interested.
What are the possibilities for hiking in the nearby areas of Bhaktapur?
There are beautiful hiking trails in Nagarkot which is located near Bhaktapur and for lovers of mountains these extraordinary views of the Himalayas are a few kilometre’s drive.
What is the most suitable way to get a feel of the local culture in Bhaktapur?
It is recommended to take a homestay in a traditional Newari house to feel the presence of Nepalese living in Bhaktapur as a part of the population.
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