Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Introduction

Located about 20 km east of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is known as the ‘City of Devotees’, the ‘City of Culture’, the ‘Living Heritage’, and ‘Nepal’s Cultural Gem’. It is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The others are Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Patan.
Bhaktapur is filled with monuments, most terra-cotta with carved wood columns, palaces and temples with elaborate carvings, gilded roofs, open courtyards. The city is dotted with pagodas and religious shrines.
Lying along the ancient trade route between India and Tibet, Bhaktapur is surrounded by mountains and provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas.

History

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 that is itself a world to explore for tourists.

From time immemorial it lay on the trade route between Tibet and India. This position on the main caravan route made the town rich and prosperous.

Demographics

At the time of the 2001 Nepal census it had a population of 72,543. The male inhabitants of this city wear a special type of cap called the Bhadgaunle Topi.

Major festivals celebrated in Bhaktapur

Dashain, the longest festival of the year (September/October)

Lasting 15 days, this festival honors the goddess Devi Durga, who is said to have slain the demon Durga, son of Ruru. Celebrants perform many pujas (offerings) during this festival, including thousands of animal sacrifices.

Tihar, the festival of lights. (October)

The Nepalese light up their homes with candles, oil lamps, and other lights to invite the goddess Laxmi in. They also worship crows, dogs, and cows during this festival and set aside one day to honor brothers. The Mha puja, a day of revering one own body and life, is celebrated on one day of this festival.

Gai-Jatra, the Cow Festival. (July/August)

This festival focuses on families in bereavement. Every family who lost a relative in the past year participates in a procession with a cow or a young boy dressed as a cow. The cow, it is believed, helps the deceased reach heaven.

Bisket Jatra, the Nepalese New Year celebration. (April)

In which chariots are pulled through the streets and ultimately a tug of war over them determines who will be blessed with good fortune in the coming year. This celebration is also observed with picnics and other private get-together.

Things To do and see in Bhaktapur :

Durbar Square
Taumadhi Square
Pottary Square
Dattatrays Square
Siddha Pokhari ( Pond)
Changu Narayan on North ( 6km -2 Hr walking, 20 Min by Car, 40 Min by Bus)
Sunrise and Sunset trip to Nagarkot to North-East (20 KM , 45 Min by Car)
Suryabinayak on South ( 2 KM- 30 min walking , 10 min by car)
Daily Mountain Flight to Mount Everest range.

Some useful informations

Entrance fee for Nationality of China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sir Lanks, Maldives are Nepalese Rupee 500/- and Rest of the Nationality around world will be 15 Us dollar or Nepalese Rupee 1500/- .
Once you buy the ticket you can Valid for 7 days in ticket by showing your passport on the time in issuing.
If you are staying more than 7 days or willing to come back again after other destination then you need to fill the form and need 2 passport size picture and copy of your passport and visa.
More information please e-mail us or contact us in reception.

Gallery of Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur Durbar Square 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 valley as it highlights the ancient of the kings perched on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in very place – struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows – all seem to form a well orchestrated symphony.