PLACES TO SEE
IN BHAKTAPUR
Bhadgoan
Layaku:
Layaku in Newar
means royal palace. Nowadays this palace is known as Bhaktapur darwar square.
This area was the administrative office of Medieval Period. At that time this
area was capital city of Nepal Mandala. We can observe Char Dham namely
Jagannath, Gopinath, Badrinath and Rameshwore in the western area of this
location. Silu Mahadev, Batsaladevi, Pashupati Temple, are finely architectured
monuments of this place. The palace with 55 windows is pride of this place. The
large bell in front of this palace is
rung for religious purposes.
Golden Gate;
The gate made of
gold is entrance to Taleju Temple of Bhaktapur. This master piece was prepared
by the artists after their great labor from the year 871 NS to 874 NS. This
gate was inaugurated by applying a holy Yagya. A golden plate was published at
that time. Since then no was allowed inside with shoes and leather material.
This fact is mention in that plate written in Nepal Bhasa. But this rule is no
longer obeyed due to weakness of government sector.
ChaturBarna
Bihar
In the eastern
part of Darwar is a Buddhist monastery known as ChaturBarna Bihar. It is
dedicated to Padmapani Lokeshore. It was built in 611 Nepal Sambat.
Nyatapola
Temple:
This is largest
and tallest temple in Nepal. It is located at tamari: tole in Bhaktapur. It was established to overcome the nuisance
activities of Bhairav Nath. It is dedicated to powerful goddess Siddhi Laxmi of
Tantra Shastra. It is believed that the foundation of this temple is as deep as
its height. Because of this strong foundation it was not damage in the great
quake of 1934 AD. The three Torana of
the temple had been remade after theft during 1985 AD. Only the Tantric Priest
educated in Taleju can gain power to enter this temple.
Bhairav Nath
Temple:
This temple is
located at left of Nyatapola temple. It is a three storied temple having
rectangular base. There are five miniature golden windows in the centre of the
temple. This temple worshipped at 12 O’ clock regularly in day by ringing the
bells. Many idols of temple had been stolen
Luhiti:
Next to the Bhairab Nath entrance, is Luhiti which means “golden tap”
one of the water conduits which is used for household chores as well as for
some ritual works.
Til Mahadev
Narayan Temple:
It is hidden away behind the recent houses on the South east of the
square; so one can easily miss the square’s 3 rd interesting temple, Til
Mahadev Narayan displays all the iconography of a lord Vishnu temple: a glided
Sankha (conch), charka (wheel) and Garuda are all hoisted on pillars out front
in a manner clearly imitating the great temple of Changu Narayan. Although the
place was in use since 1080A.D.The icon were believed to be placed inside the
temple only in 1170AD..
Narshimha:
Narshimha or Narsingha is half man and half lion. Narsingha statues
often show a man with a lion’s head and four arms holding the traditional
Vishnu symbols. In the man- lion’s lap will be the demon which Narsingha is
about to disembowel. The double roofed Narshimha temple is near to Til Mahadav
Narayan temple.
Umbrella
Temple:
This temple is
located in Tamari tole inside Tilmadhav Chok. This temple is built on a piller
about eight feet tall. The three parts of this temple represent nether world ,
terrestrial land and heaven. This temple is master piece in world having built
in a pillar.
Hanuman
Ghat:
This is the
place where the largest Shivalinga of Nepal is located. The death bodies of
people are burnt in the bank of river in this place. Many idols of gods like
Ram, Hanuman, Buddha and Dash avatar are found in this site. There is also
ashram of Balmiki the writer of epic Ramayana.
Khancha
Pukhu:
This is the
pond located at Khancha tole. It is important because we can see reflection
image of Nyatapola on the water surface of this pond. The southern and Northern
part of this pond is surrounded by local houses. Near to this pond is an
attractive Buddhist monastery built by government of Thailand known as Muni
Bihar.
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Jackal Cave:
Locally this
cave is known as Dhon Galli. It is called Jackal cave because the jackals come to
stay there on the winter nights from near by villages. This is a narrow street
made under the houses. It is also way from Wanchu tole to Inacho. From southern
part of this Galli we can view a beautiful black Stupa located at northern
part.
Dattatraya
Temple:
This temple is
located at Tachapal tole. This area is famous for peacock window. It is said
that beneath this temple is a large tank, the water of which flow out through a
stone water pipe. The temple is constructed of trunk single tree. Just behind the
temple lies a Pujari math where a collection of wood carvings is exhibited.
Pujari Math:
Behind and to
the right of the Dattatraya temple stands the sumptuous Pujari Math. The
Dattatraya square is surrounded by 7 Math’s, most of which have been transformed
into museums or shops. Pujari math is the best among the entire Math’s and the
most richly architectured, which is the largest and most famous religious
institution in Bhaktapur in the 16th century. It was build by King Yaksha Malla
in the 15th century and was used for the storage of donations and contributions
until late 20th century. Until a few years back an annual caravan of Tibetan
lamas used to bring tributes to the monastery. During those days, it was known
for the production of herbal medicines and people traveled from far and wide to
receive instruction in the art of medicine . Now, the top floor of the math is
a home to the wood carving Museum, the Math itself is a beautiful combination
of fine masterpieces of wood
carvings in the forms of doors and windows. The wood carving museum
here has a splendid collection of antique carvings. A set of 14 roof Struts,
image of Visundhara(1 st century), Tantiric images of Vishnu Vishwa Rupa with
30 arms and 17 faces and a mouth in its Bhairab(17 th century), Puja Devi(15 th
century) etc. are a few to mention here. This 4 story with 3 inner courtyards
has incomparable masterpieces of hanging windows around the inside of each
courtyard. The building itself is famous for the virtuously carved peacock window down the narrow
side alley and a courtyard decorated with cavorting wild boars, monkey and
Makara.
Woodcarving
Museum:
The wood
carving museum is housed in 19 Th century building, known as the Pujari Math
specially built for the priests of those periods. The Math itself is elegant in
its architecture with enumerable intricately carved wooden doors and windows
including the famous peacock Window. This museum situated at Dattatraya Square
displays an array of wooden objects which also portray the changing social
outlook of Bhaktapur
Brass and
Bronze Museum:
Right opposite
to the wood carving Museum, in specify name ‘math’ the Bronze and Brass Museum
displays heterogeneous ceremonial and household metal ware. The collection of
objects, such as ritual lamps, hanging lamps, ceremonial jars, water vessels,
cooking pots, oil pots, ink pot etc used in ancient and medieval period.
Sallan
Ganesh:
At
the northern side of the Dattatraya square is another small open area with the
small Sallan Ganesh Temple., dating from 1654. The image in this temple is just
a rock with only the vaguest elephant-head shape which is ornately decorated.
At the one side of the temple is the Ganesh Pokhari
Wakupati
Narayan:
East
along the main road from the Dattatraya Square, a lovely specimen in metal
work, the Wakupati Narayan Temple is enclosed within a stone paved courtyard.
Around this area there are more potters at work. The ornate golden temple is of
two-storied pagoda style, dedicated to Lord Vishnu dates back to 1667 A.D. No
where else other than here would one see five Garudas, the bird vehicle of lord
Vishnu, at a single place in a row.
Navadurga Temple:
This temple
lies at Gachhen Tole. There are nine goddess known as Navadurga. The windows
having Chariot or Rath is uniqueness of this temple. The longest dancing
festival known as Ngalakegu or fish catching is managed through this temple.
This festival starts on Maghe Sangranti and end at Vijaya Dashami.
Prashanansil
Bihar:
The Bihar is
located at kwathandau tole of north eastern Bhaktapur. The world famous
EkantaKumari is worshiped in this Bihar. Most of Buddhist religious activities
in Bhaktapur are conducted from this Bihar.
Gomari
Square:
This is place
where the Buddhist, Shaiva Vaishanav and Hindu temple can be seen in a single
narrow area. There is also the deepest stone water spout of Kathmandu Valley.
At this square the oldest stone inscription of Bhaktapur is also found which
was issued in 594 AD.
SukulDhoka
Math:
This house used
to be the holy place for priest of Taleju and darwar to live. Near to this Math
used to be a Straw Gate which was the western entrance gate to the then palace
of Bhaktapur. The gate got it name the material used to make it straw the dried
rice plant. Nowadays the place is known as SukulDhoka. It is the main market of
modern Bhaktapur.