BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE

Bhaktapur Durbar Square, located in the center of Bhaktapur city, is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal. The golden effigies of kings perched on the top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in every place-struts, lintels, uprights, tympanums, gateways and windows-all seem to form a well-orchestrated symphony.
The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the current town of Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgoan, which lies 13 km east of Kathmandu. While the complex consists of at least four distinct squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square), the whole area is informally known as the Bhakapur Durbar Square and is a highly visited site in the Kathmandu Valley.

History of Bhaktapur Durbar Square

One cannot write a summary about the history of Bhaktapur Durbar Square without including all of Bhaktapur. Founded in the 12th century by King Ari Malla (Ari Deva) of Banepa from a kingdom just outside of the valley. He moved the capital of his kingdom to Bhaktapur’s Tachupal Tole (Taumadhi Tole - the oldest square in the city). King Ari was the first to adopt the Malla name which means “wrestler” in Sanskrit indicating power, strength and skill. Throughout Bhaktapur you will find stone statues of wrestlers.
Between 1200 AD and 1482 was the golden era for the Malla kings. Bhaktapur ruled the valley kingdom and it prospered well. After the death of King Jayayakshya Malla in 1482 Malla the valley was divided up into three kingdoms for his sons (Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu). This period became known as “The period of the three kingdoms”. From then until the mid 18th century Bhaktapur and the valley saw many
skirmishes and battles.However it was during this period that also saw a great rise in culture, trade, temple construction, artistry, architecture and language. Indeed it was during this period that the Nepali language was formed. Today Bhaktapur as a whole retains it's wonderful historic beauty and culture. However it is so very important to realize that Bhaktapur Durbar Squar  is only one small part of Bhaktapur city itself. All of which can be explored! There's a lot to discover in Bhaktapur so many people opt to stay here for a few nights which really can make you feel like you are sleeping in another time period.

including all of Bhaktapur.

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The main items of interest in the Durbar Square are:

The Lion Gate : Dating as far back as A.D. 1696, this gate is guarded on either side by two huge statues of lions. Alongside, there are two stone images of Bhairav (the dreadful aspect of Shiva) and Ugrachandi (the consort of Shiva in her fearful manifestation).

The Golden Gate :Lu Dhowka (The Golden Gate)'' is said to be the most beautiful and richly molded specimen of its kind in the entire world. The door is surmounted by a figure of the Hindu goddess Kali and Garuda (mythicalgriffin) and attended by two heavenly nymphs. It is embellished with monsters and other Hindu mythical creatures of marvelous intricacy. Percy Brown, an eminent English art critic and historian, described the Golden Gate as "the most lovely piece of art in the whole Kingdom; it is placed like a jewel, flashing innumerable facets in the handsome setting of its surroundings." The gate was erected by ing Ranjit Malla and is the entrance to the main courtyard of the palace of fifty-five windows.

The Palace of Fifty-five Windows : This magnificent palace was
built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was
 subsequently remodelledby King Bhupatindra Malla in the seventeenth century. Among the brick walls with their gracious setting and sculptural design, is a balcony with Fifty-five Windows, considered to be a unique masterpiece of woodcarving.



The Art Gallery: The Art Gallery contains ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods and descriptions. This gallery is open everyday except Tuesday.







The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla: This statue showing King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is set on a column facing the palace. Of the square's many statues, this is considered to be the most magnificent.

Must see highlights around Bhaktapur Durbar Square

 Basantapur Chowk: two famous sculptures that cost a man his hands National Art Museum: housing many works of art including thangkas Gopi Nath (Jagganath) Mandir The Golden Gate:

one of the most intricately decorated gates in the world King Bhupatindra Malla's Column Taleju Temple: a forbidden temple Royal Bath (Naga Pokhari): a beautiful hiti surrounded by stone snakes The Palace of Fifty-five Windows: a masterpiece of wood carving Pashupatinath Temple: erotic carvings surround this duplicate Vatsala Durga Temple & Taleju Bell: stone temple that was sadly destroyed in the 2015 earthquake (under reconstuction) Chyasalin Mandap: a pavillion built to survive earthquakes Siddhi Laxmi Temple: A solid stone temple built in the 17th-century (under reconstuction) Bhaktapur Durbar Square contains a lot of temples and places of interest as you can see. There are local guides who can be hired from as little as 1500 rupees. Do be aware that they don't always know as much as they claim and very rarely show you anything beyond the 4 squares.