Bhaktapur Travel Guide
Newari Masterpieces in the City of Potters
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Traffic-free Bhaktapur means "the city of devotees" and is the third largest city in the Kathmandu Valley. A city of potters and weavers the architecture of the Durbar Square is important enough to earn it a World Heritage Site status with innumerable temples and other architectural masterpieces whilst those with a love of fine Newari arts are amply rewarded. Peep into courtyards to see potters at work and explore the many temples that are to be found.
Once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom of the 12th to 15th centuries the architectural extravagances of the city’s rulers are evident wherever one looks.
Founded by King Anand Malla in the 13th century the city grew up on a trade route to Tibet and as with Kathmandu and Patan is largely the product of Anand’s artistically minded dynasty. The Durbar Square and surrounding areas or toles are the focus of the city as with those other two luminaries of Newari art where much of the architecture dates from the rule of King Yaksha Malla (1428-82).
Known today as the city of potters much evidence of this can be seen around town, whilst woodcarving is a close second with puppets also manufactured here.
Attractions in Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur’s traffic-free roads and lanes are a delight to wander around and a walking tour leads you from the Durbar Square successively to Taumadhi Tole and finally Tachupal Tole.
The Shiva Parvati Temple can be found to the west of Durbar Square and is notable for the erotic carvings of elephants on its roof struts. Next you pass images of Bhairab and Ugrachandi before arriving in Durbar Square proper. The buildings of the Durbar Square were severely damaged in an earthquake which struck in 1934 and today the plinths that temples once stood upon are all that remain and as a result the square is more open, less crowded than Kathmandu’s.
The Royal Palace flanks the north of the square and contains the National Art Gallery. A statue atop a column is that of King Bhupatindra Malla and beside it are the Vatsala Durga Temple and Taleju Bell. Here too can be found the 55 Window Palace entered through the famous Golden Gate. Numerous other temples line the route to Taumadhi Tole and Tachupal Tole and a whole day can be spent appreciating them and the superb craftsmanship of their creators.
Activities in Bhaktapur
A good overview of the city can be had in wandering the streets over 3 or 4 hours but there’s nothing like spending a day – or even better, a night – in Bhaktapur. A local guide will add greatly to your enjoyment and be able to point out things easily missed.
Relaxing
Lots of restaurants overlook the city’s squares and provide the best place to rest up and enjoy a cold drink whilst contemplating the next leg of your walking tour. A visit at Bisket Jatra (14th April annually) here in Bhaktapur is a special occasion with a great chariot festival taking place - make it if you can.
Getting Around
Bhaktapur can be reached by taxi from Kathmandu after which the city is explored only on foot.
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