Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Nge Nyapa Jhya Laaykoo (55 window palace) 

Nge Nyapa Jhya Laayko is also known as 55 windows palace in simple words. It is the most beautiful, attractive architectural place in durbar square. In 1667 it was built by King Bhupatindra Malla. After hearing this name, you must have guessed that there are 55 windows in this palace. It is said that the palace was built because the king had 55 wives and was fair to each of his wives, so he decided to make each window for everyone.

Moreover, it takes 58 years to build this palace. The 55 windows of this palace are made up of carved wooden windows on its facade. Currently, this palace is not open to the public after it was affected by the earthquake.

Golden gate 

The gate is surmounted by a different figure of the Hindu goddess Kali and Garuda and the two heavenly Nymphs. Moreover, it is decorated with various monsters and other Hindu mythical creatures of marvelous intricacy. Local people called this golden gate swarnadwar. The gate was started building during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla (1696-1722) and was completed in 1754 by Jaya Ranjit Malla.

Vatsala Temple

This temple is situated just in front of the palace and beside the king statue next to the Taleju Bell. It is the temple of goddess Durga. Moreover, it was built by king Jitamitra Malla in 1696 A.D. there is also a water source behind the temple, known as Dhunge Dhara. This temple is more famous for its silver bell, known to residents as the “The Bell of barking bells .” Whenever this bell was rung, dogs of that area started barking and howling. Moreover, this belt was hung by King Ranjit Malla in 1737 AD. However, this temple is destroyed by the 2015 earthquake, but the bell remains unimpaired.

Mini Pashupati Temple

Mini Pashupati is the mirror image of the Pashupatinath temple, located in Bhaktapur Centrals durbar square. Some people call it the Royal dream temple, also it is known as Yaksheswor Mahadev Temple. Moreover, it was the oldest temple, which King Yaksha originally built-in 1475(or 1482). It is said that the temple was founded by Yaksa Malla(r. 1428-82) when he was instructed in a dream to recreate Deopatan’s Pashupatinath temple in Bhaktapur.

Statue of Bhupatindra Malla

Bhupatindrs Malla was a Malla dynasty king of the kingdom of Bhaktapur who ruled from 1696 to 1722. The central statue of the durbar square can be seen on a column facing the palace.

Siddhi Lakshmi Temple

Siddhi Lakshmi temple is dedicated to the tantric goddess siddhi, Lakshmi. Moreover, it was built in the 17th century. There are different statues of creatures like horses, camels, rhinos, and some other mythical creatures in the steps to the siddhi Lakshmi temple.

Nyatapola Temple

Nyatapola is the Newari language, which means five stories symbolic of five essential elements. Nyatapola Temple is Nepal’s highest and most prominent pagoda, with beautiful architectural perfection and artistic beauty. Those statues are level upon the two sides of the staircase. It is said that it took their three-generation to finalize the temple. At the bottom of the temple, Rajput wrestlers named Jai and Pratap are said to be ten times stronger than ordinary men. Above them are the giant statues of two elephants, and above that, there are two statues of singhas(Lion), beyond this statue of two Sardulas. Moreover, at the topmost are the lion and tigress deity.

Bhairava Nath Temple

Bhairavanath temple is the sacred temple of the Bhaktapur Durbar square dedicated to Lord Bhairava, the god of terror and death. It is located just right behind the Nyatapola temple. According to the shred, this temple was first started by King Ananda Deva in the 13th century. Then the temple was again re-establish during the reign of King Vishwa Malla. It was restored in a one-storeyed temple, and after, King Jagatjyoti Malla decorated it with golden roofs. Afterward, King Bhupatindra Malla modified it into a triplet roofed temple at around N.S 837-38(1718 AD) and added the seven pinnacles.

Lion’s gate 

The lion’s gate is the 17th-century structure located inside the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It was built with the belief that it would protect the ancient city. Moreover, it has two large and great lion statues placed on either side. It is said that the king cut the hands of the artisans who built the lion gate, so he would never be able to recreate a gate like this.

The National Art Museum (Simhadhwaka Durbar)

Simhadhwaka Durbar is one of the best attractive regions of the durbar square. This palace was just labeled after the statues of pair of lions guarding its entrance. After, it is named Simhadhwaka Durbar because of having the image of pair of stone lions. Moreover, it was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1698 A.D. Along with that, there is another stone sculpture of Hanumanta-Bhairav and Nar Shima.

This museum is full of an excellent collection of Manuscripts and chronicles. Likewise, the home of ancient paubha Scroll Paintings, tantric cloth paintings, and more acquisition. There are also bronze, stone, brass stone, different wooden paintings. There are also images of eras and a diverse collection of airbrushing Vasundhara, Asta Bhairava, Ganesh Shakti, Mahisa Sambhar, Vajra Yogini, and Shiva.

Erotic Elephants temple

Erotic elephants are located just outside the western gates of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Many people noticed this temple as it is minor in size. However, you will see several animals represented in various forms of copulation.

Ugrachandi and Ugrabhairab

It is located near the main gate at the west end of Durbar square. We can see here, Ugrachandi has 18 arms holding various Tantric weapons. The weapons symbolize the multiple aspects of her character. Moreover, it is portrayed that she is killing a demon with a trident(Trishul) to represent the victory of wisdom over ignorance. Besides this, Bhairab has 12 arms, holding two heads impaled on a trident and holding a cup made from a human skull.

Rameshwar Temple

There are four Chardham temples. One of them is the Rameshwar temple. The open temple stands with four stone pillars and a shiva linga in the center. It is located right in front of the Gopinath temple of Durbar Square. The Shivling lies over a backfilled lotus flower, making this temple even more elegant.

Badrinath Temple

Badrinath is a 17th-century temple on the west side of Bhaktapur’s Durbar square. Moreover, it is established by King Bhupatindra Malla in shikhara style. Before this, it was destroyed in the 1934 earthquake, but fortunately, it was rebuilt in a miniature form with a Newari- style roof. Again this temple was collapsed in the April 2015 earthquake. After it was reconstructed in its original shikhara style, it is a combining form of Lord Shiva and Vishnu. It also consists of the statue of the Harihar. Most of the local people called this temple Badri Narayan.

Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath 17th century temple exactly looks like the Badrinath Temple. It is called Kedarnath because of the statue of kedaraeshwor established in the temple’s phallus. However, there are five pinnacles in the temple, including four sub-pinnacles.

Gopi Nath Temple

Gopi Nath temple is a two-roofed pagoda-style temple attached to the Rameshwar temple. It lies on the west side of Bhaktapur’s durbar square. Moreover, it is one of the only pagodas that survive on the Plaza. King Jitamitra Malla originally built this temple in 1696 A.D. However, it was reconstructed again by King Bhupatindra Malla.

Taduchhen Bahal

Taduchhen Bahal is a Buddhist temple located on the eastern side of Bhaktapur’s durbar square. Moreover, it is also known as Chatuvarna Mahavihara temple. King Raya Malla built it in NS 611(1429 AD). the courtyard of this bahal is surrounded by a PHA-cha, and the enclosed quadrangle is paved with brick tiles. There is also a semi-circular decorative panel generally made either of wood or metal. It is hung above the main entrance gate of the bahal and above the sanctum as well.

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