Bhaktapur ), also Bhadgaon or Khwopa (Nepal Bhasa: ख्वप Khwopa) is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone. It is the third largest city in Kathmandu valley and was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century.
Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork
"Khwopinggram" is the ancient name of Bhaktapur. The term "Bhaktapur" (Sanskrit/Nepali: भक्तपुर) refers to "The Town Of Devotees". This Bhaktapur City is also known as "Khwopa" (Nepal Bhasa: ख्वप) or "Bhadgaon" (Nepali:भादगाँउ) or "Ancient Newari Town" through out the Kathmandu valley.
It is the home of traditional art and architecture, historical monuments and craft works, magnificent windows, pottery and weaving industries, excellent temples, beautiful ponds, rich local customs, culture, religion, festivals, musical mystic and so on. Bhaktapur is still an untouched as well as preserved ancient city, which in fact, is itself a world to explore for tourist.
From time immemorial it lay on the trade route between Tibet/China and India. This position on the main caravan route made the town rich and prosperous.
Bhaktapur is around 13 km east of Kathmandu and lies on the old trade route to Tibet. It occupies an area of around 119 km² at an altitude of 1,401 meters above sea-level. Bhaktapur district, in which the Bhaktapur city lies is the smallest district of nepal.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The Golden Gate
The Golden Gate is the entrance to the main courtyard
Ranjit Malla and is one of the most beautiful and richly
carved specimens of its kind showing the Goddess Kali
and Garuda, the winged carrier of Lord Vishnu. This gate
is embellished with monsters of marvelous intricacy.
The Palace of 55 Windows was built in the Seventeenth
century by King Bhupatindra Malla. Among the brick walls,
with their gracious setting and sculptural design, is a balcony
is a masterpiece of wood carvinig.
century by King Bhupatindra Malla. Among the brick walls,
with their gracious setting and sculptural design, is a balcony
is a masterpiece of wood carvinig.
The stone temple of Batsala Devi, which is also located in the Durbar Square, is full of intricate carvings. This temple is also shows a beautiful example of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. There is a bronze bell on the terrace of the temple which is also known as the “bell of barking dogs.” When it peals, the local dogs start barking. This bell, placed in 1737 A.D. by King Ranjit Malla, was used to sound curfew during his reign. The bell is rung every morning while worshipping the Goddess Taleju.
Surya Vinayaka
Located on the eastern side of a wooded hill, the Surya Vinayaka has a shikhara-style of architecture and is the first of the temples in the region to receive the first rays of the sun. It is here that Lord Ganesh first renews his acquaintance with the sun god Surya. The Surya Vinayaka in Bhaktapur stands as a column having the rat of Ganesh in unusually large and realistic form.
The Surya Vinayaka temple is visited by large numbers of tourists and local people. On Tuesdays in particular, pilgrims offer various offerings such as, ladoos, his favorite food, to seek his favor. On the hill, there is a little shrine dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the mother of Ganesh. From this beautiful Surya Vinayaka in Bhaktapur, you can have stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley.
According to a legend, an ancient king of Nepal, who did not have a son, built the temple of Lord Ganesh, also known as "Vinayaka" the elephant headed son of Lord Shiva, as a homage to Ganesh. The astrologers advised him to do so. Hence, from that time onwards the name of the temple became "Surya-Vinayaka".
As a result of continues worshiping and tireless devotion to god, the king finally had a son. Even today couples who do not have a children come here for worshipping. Lord Ganesh is very popular as the god of wisdom and good luck, among the Hindus. Hence many devotees congregate here every Tuesdays and Saturdays to get good luck and happiness.
Bhairavnath Temple
This temple was first built as o one-storey pagoda during the reign of King Jagat Jyoti Malla, and later changed into a three storeyed temple in 1718 A.D. by king Bhupatindra Malla. The temple is noted for its artistic grandeur. It is decided to Lord Bhairav, the god of Terror.
Nyatapola Temple
This five storeyed pagoda was built in 1702 A.D. by King
Bhupatindra Malla. It stands on a five storey terraced platform.On each of the terraces there is squat pairs of figures; two famous wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two griffins, and Baghini and Singhini, the tiger and the lion goddesses. Each pair of figures is considered ten times stronger than the ones immediately below,
while the lowest pair, the two strong men, Jaya Malla and Fatteh Malla,were reputedly ten times stronger than any other men. This is one of the tallest pagodas and is famous for its massive structure and suble workmanship. The temple was built for Goddess Laxmi.
while the lowest pair, the two strong men, Jaya Malla and Fatteh Malla,were reputedly ten times stronger than any other men. This is one of the tallest pagodas and is famous for its massive structure and suble workmanship. The temple was built for Goddess Laxmi.
Taumadhi Temple
World Tallest Statue of Lord Shiva
The tallest Shiva statue in the world, constructed on the financial support of Kamal Jain, is complete and is open for worshiping. The statue is constructed at Chhitpol-5, Kailaskut hill in Bhaktapur.
During the unveiling, a helicopter of Fishtail Air was throwing flowers on the statue from above.
The construction took 6 years and involved 100 Nepali and skilled labors from India. The construction of foundation alone took two years. To protect the statue from natural factors like sun, wind, and rain, it is coated with zinc. It is further coated with copper on top of zinc coating. According to Kamal Jain, the outer cover of the statue contain 6000 kgs of zinc and copper.
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Peacock Window is a signature sight of Nepal. If one has to see the exquisiteness of Nepal's traditional art, a visit to Peacock Window is a must.
The Peacock Window is a very mesmerizing piece of craftsmanship. So it is also called the "Mona Lisa of Nepal'. The work piece is indeed a rare masterpiece in wood. The unique latticed window dates back to the early 15th Century. It has an intricately carved peacock in its center.
The window adorns the Pujari Math. The rows of exquisitely carved windows and doors of the math are equally appealing. The building presently houses the Woodcarving Museum. The museum has a fantastic collection of unique pieces in wood.
Most of the carved windows in Bhaktapur's Durbar Square are exquisitely crafted. But the Peacock Window walks away with the cake. It is definitely the most elaborate. It is a second-floor window to an ordinary building, tucked away down a narrow alley off Durbar Square.
Right across the alley from the Window is a master woodcarver's shop. The wood carver specializes in replicas and variations on the window. The woodcarver has a second floor window opposite the Peacock Window. One can take clear pictures of the Peacock Window from there.
Once in Bhaktapur, one can walk ones way to the dusty lane which houses the Peacock window. The window is not far from the famous Durbar Square of Bhaktapur.
The Peacock Window is a very mesmerizing piece of craftsmanship. So it is also called the "Mona Lisa of Nepal'. The work piece is indeed a rare masterpiece in wood. The unique latticed window dates back to the early 15th Century. It has an intricately carved peacock in its center.
The window adorns the Pujari Math. The rows of exquisitely carved windows and doors of the math are equally appealing. The building presently houses the Woodcarving Museum. The museum has a fantastic collection of unique pieces in wood.
Most of the carved windows in Bhaktapur's Durbar Square are exquisitely crafted. But the Peacock Window walks away with the cake. It is definitely the most elaborate. It is a second-floor window to an ordinary building, tucked away down a narrow alley off Durbar Square.
Right across the alley from the Window is a master woodcarver's shop. The wood carver specializes in replicas and variations on the window. The woodcarver has a second floor window opposite the Peacock Window. One can take clear pictures of the Peacock Window from there.
Once in Bhaktapur, one can walk ones way to the dusty lane which houses the Peacock window. The window is not far from the famous Durbar Square of Bhaktapur.
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