Bhaktapur durbar square:

Bhaktapur is one of the most popular and unique city which is known for its rich & unique culture, elegant art & crafts, monuments, colorful festivals, native language and its lifestyle. The word Bhaktpur means “The City of Devotees.” Bhaktapur locally known as “Khwopa” and “Bhadgaon”. The city is entirely inhabited by the Newar caste people who are best known for their craftsmanship.

Bhaktapur durbar square is the world heritage site which is the heart of the bhaktpur city. It has unique palaces, temples and monasteries, exquisite and mesmerizing wood carvings and stone crafts.

The elaborately carved windows and doors are something that visitors simply cannot help admiring.  The most remarkable 55 Window Palace, the Golden Gate, Taleju temple, Nyatapole, Dhattatraya temples and other fascinating architectural  mounuments are situated in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Golden Gate (Sunko dhoka):
The Golden Gate was built by King Ranjit Malla which is the main entrance to the famous 55 Window Palace and Royal Taleju. It is also identified as Sunko dhoka or Sundhoka. It is the most beautiful and richly moulded specimen of its kind in the entire world. The door is of immense archaeological, historical and religious importance, and the architecture is indeed of great value. It is surmounted by a figure of the goddess Kali and Garuda and attended by two heavenly nymphs. Once we enter into it, leads to a number of well designed chowks (courtyards) including the Royal Bath, which is skillfully decorated with the well-admired Golden tap among others.

Another artwork that constantly enchants the visitors in the Square is the Big Bell. The bell was built by Ranajit Malla (bhaktapur’s last Malla king). It is to be said that in those days the Big Bell was used for paying tribute to Goddess Taleju, the lineage deity of Malla rulers, as also to call assemblies of the citizens where they gathered together and  discuss on given subjects concerning the state. Today, it is rung twice a day as a mark of tribute to the goddess. Right next to it is a smaller Barking Bell. One peculiar thing is that, all dogs around it start whining the moment it is rung by its caretaker.

55 Windows Palace:

Fifty-Five-Windows Palace is the main attraction of the Durbar Square. The 55 windows Palace also called “Pachapanna Jhyale” Durbar built by King Bhupatindra Malla and was the royal palace till 1769. There is a Golden Gate to enter the 55 Windows Palace. A Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu is at the top of the gate and four headed sixteen armed figure of goddess, Taleju Bhawani is below the Garuda. It was originally built with 99 courtyards and only seven remain as a result of damage sustained during the earthquake in 1934.

The palace now houses the National Art Gallery. The National Art Gallery is known for its rich collection of paubha scroll paintings and magnificent stone works. Taleju Temple is dedicated to the temple of Taleju Bhawani and contains shrines of both Kumari and Taleju Bhawani. Foreigners are not allowed to enter the temple or to take any photographs.

DATTATRAYA SQUARE :
Dattatraya Square was previously known as “Tachupal”. It is considered as the oldest shrine in bhaktapur. The shrine was built by the rulers as a tribute in the memory of an Indian yogi who died here. Tachupal verbally means the “grand rest house” which is famous for decorated monasteries adding beauty to it (known as Math). The Dattatraya temple was established during the reign of king Yaksha Malla, the last king to rule the valley from Bhaktapur and his son Raja Malla. Dattatreya Temple is the main attraction of the Square .The square includes “Shree Dattatreya rass bhajan mandal”, “National art gallery”, “Wood carving museum” and has got a great number of historic monuments including many admirable residential mansions and temples. It is the only temple in Nepal that is devoted to the god Dattatraya.The temple is dedicated to combined incarnation of the 3 supreme Gods of Hinduism; Brahma (the creator), Vishnu and Maheshwor (the destroyer) combined together as Dattatraya.

The main beauty of the temple is its unique architectural design and woodcarving artistically decorated all over the building. In addition, the main attractions of the shrine can be viewed at and about the front. There is a stone pillar with a metal conch (Sankhu) on top, towards the right of the entrance and left pillar supporting Vishnu’s Discus (Charka).The entrance to the temple is guarded by two large stone sculptures of Jaiput wrestlers Jaya Malla and Patha Malla as in the Nyatapola temple. A gold plated metal statue of Garuda is positioned at the front of the temple on top of a stone column. It is known as the vehicle of lord bishnu.

Wakupati Narayan Temple:
Near to the Dattatraya Square, there is a delightful specimen named as “Wakupati Narayan Temple”. It is a two storied remarkable pagoda structured golden temple built in 1667 A.D. which was dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

This area is more popular for the port work. There are more potters at work. Nowhere else other than here would one see four Garuda’s, the bird vehicle of lord Vishnu, at a single place in a row.

Sidhhapokhari:
Sidhhapokhari is one of the old pond of  Bhaktapur which is situated at Dudhpati. It is also known as Ta-Pukhu or Sidhha Pokhu. This pond was built in the early 15^th century during the reign of King Yakshya Malla. It is a very beautiful and peaceful place where tourists like to visit and is a popular hangout destination for general people. The large pond of 275m×92m is plentiful of fishes. People enjoy watching fishes in the pond, and feeding them. Occasionally, the people are allow for boating in the pond.

Nyatapola temple:

Nyatapola, the five storied temple is one of the unique architecture of bhaktapur. It is dedicated to a tantric goddess, believed that the goddess can’t be seen by a normal people besides the temple’s pujaris. This temple is 30 meter tall, and is the tallest temple in the Kathmandu valley. It was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1708 AD. Each of its five terraces holds a pair of figures, starting from bottom wrestlers, elephant, lion, griffins and goddesses. At the base are two statues of Malla era wrestlers representing humans in ascending order according to their power and strength.

Bhairavnath Temple:

Bhairavnath temple is a three storied, pagoda style temple which is next to the Nyatapole temple. It is dedicated to Kasi Bhairav, considered as the dreadful aspect of Shiva. It was originally built by King Jagat Jyoti Malla. Then the temple was renovated by King Bhupatindra Malla, who is known as a “Zealous lover of the arts”. The temple was destroyed by earthquake in 1934 and then the responsibility of it was taken by Bhaktapur Municipality in 1995 A.D.

Inside the sanctum, only the head of Bhairav is kept. The sculpture’s of  bhairav’s head is gilded. According to the sayings, Kasi Bhairav’s head was cut off  by a tantric  in order to keep it in Bhaktapur. The sculpture’s of  bhairav’s head is gilded.