Kancha-Pukha

Kancha-Pukha located to the south of the Dattatrya square is one of the most amazing architectural pond. The unique improtance of the pond lies in the fact that it perfectly displays the image of the Nayatapolea Temple. Despite being situated at the distance of over 500m from the temple and densely packed tall houses standing between them, the beautiful reflection can still be viewed and enjoyed.

Nava Durga Temple

From a religous point of view, the shrine of Nava Durga the nine manifestations fo Goddess Durga has a high place in Bhaktapur. Nava Durga is also the combination of nine protective mother Goddess of the city. The three storied shrine which lies in Kwathando-4, Bhaktapur also popular for the its elaborately carved windows and doors. It seems huge crowd of devotees during Dashain (October), the greatest festival of Hindu in nepal. A wood carved window and the nothern facade displays the Chariot of Bhairav which has its own importance and significance.

Hanuman Ghat

It is the religious site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. River banks are often used by the local people to burn dead bodies called 'Ghat'. People have the practise of visiting such ghats areas in the early mornings to wash themselves purifying their body and then to go about visiting temples and images of gods and goddesses, a process of purifying one's mind and soul. Ghats usually have one or more crematories where the dead bodies are burned to ashes and the ashes in turn are thrown into the rive as a part of Hindu/Buddhist culture. There are several such Ghats in around Bhaktapur. 

Hanuman Ghat is very popular Ghat in Bhaktapur, it spreads to a larger area with many religious images, objects and structures scattered around in such array that even a non religious perosn would start feeling differently once visiting there. For tourists it is like alking about in an alien land. The largest Shiva Lingam(Idol) in nepal, temple of Ram , numerous store sculptures, small stupas, shiva lingams, more can be observed in this Ghat area. Visiting this place in the early morning is recomanded. One can observe how a day begins for a religious traditional Newar in Bhaktapur.

Juju dhau"KING CURD"

The city of Bhaktapur is renowned for its Juju Dhau or Bhaktapur KO Dahe (curd from Bhaktapur). Traditionally the buffalo milk is used to produce this delicacy. The tasty yogurt is also known as king curd. It is the typical desert in a Newari community. In every ceremonial feast, yoghurt plays an important role. One should not miss it while visiting Bhaktapur. A visit to Bhaktapur is not complete without trying a bowl of Juju Dhau.

The Temple of Taleju Bhawani

The temples dedicated to the goddess Taleju Bhawani are presnt in all three towns of Kathmandu valley, i.e Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The royal temple of goddess Taleju in Bhaktapur however is the oldest among the three. Taleju Bhawani was the clan goddess of Malla Kings. The temple is one-storeyed. The artworks found in the temple are regarded among best in Nepal. The temple square consists of two shrines for two female deities, Taleju Bhawani and Kumari. The temple of Taleju has always been one of Bhaktapur’s most sacred spots, traditionally closed to all but the reigning kings. The Taleju temple stands in the Mulchok Court. At present, only Hindus are allowed to go inside the temple and the goddess cannot be photographed.


Structure
The Golden gate leads to another entrance which ends in an open square. It is also the part of the palace. The main entrance door that leads to temple square is beautifully sculpted and so are the inside of the temples. It seems more time and care is given to upper part of the door while carving figures of deities just like in Nyatapola main entrance or the Golden Gate. Inside the temple, window, doors, struts are carved with images of various female deities. It is said that king Bhupatindra Malla himself carved one of the window. The square consists of two stone pillars, a four feet plinth, and a bell hanged in stone pillers. The sign of half moon is painted in the bell and the pillars. There are numerous doors on each four side and each door has sculpture of kalash, conch and eye on two adjacent sides. One of the door leads to a pond which is source of water for Naghpokhari “the royal bath”. The roof of the both temple is large as eleven spiers of equal size stand along the roof for the entire length of main shrine. The spire in the middle is little big then other spires.

FOOD

Samhebaji (Newari food)

This dish is local in Newar community. In each and every festival for god and goddess this is cooked. It has many more veriety than in this picture. It is so delicious and rich / heave food. People drink rice wine or rice beer (home made)/chhyang with this dish. It takes quite a long time for all the veriety to be ready. It is eaten on leaf plate. People sit on mat(sukul) on the ground like in a row. So it looks nice when all seat in a row and eat Samhebaji. In this picture, white bread is thin rice pancake made of rice flour. On this bread, is beaten rice (crunchy cooked rice), then on it is roastedblack soyabean, fried ginger and garlic pieces, small fried fish. At the sides  green garlic fried, white beans curry, potatoes mashed in Newari style, roasted buff meata(Chhoyala), fried eggs like plain omellete, bara wo under egges, well mashed raw buff meat. Not only this much there are many more like cauliflower curry, Newari mixed pickle, bamboo potato curry(Aalutama), green leaf vegetable(sag) and many more. In second picture there is one more rice pancake on top, before serving.

This dish is local in Newar community. In each and every festival for god and goddess this is cooked. It has many more veriety than in this picture. It is so delicious and rich / heave food. People drink rice wine or rice beer (home made)/chhyang with this dish. It takes quite a long time for all the veriety to be ready. It is eaten on leaf plate. People sit on mat(sukul) on the ground like in a row. So it looks nice when all seat in a row and eat Samhebaji. In this picture, white bread is thin rice pancake made of rice flour. On this bread, is beaten rice (crunchy cooked rice), then on it is roastedblack soyabean, fried ginger and garlic pieces, small fried fish. At the sides  green garlic fried, white beans curry, potatoes mashed in Newari style, roasted buff meata(Chhoyala), fried eggs like plain omellete, bara wo under egges, well mashed raw buff meat. Not only this much there are many more like cauliflower curry, Newari mixed pickle, bamboo potato curry(Aalutama), green leaf vegetable(sag) and many more. In second picture there is one more rice pancake on top, before serving.                                                          

PRESERVATION EFFORTS

For Bhaktapur and its tradition-loving locals, having monuments and culture alone is not all. For them, preservation of the mankind’s shared glories is as much important as the creation of new ones. Keeping this in mind, Bhaktapur Municipality has launched an ambitious campaign for the purpose. In this course, the local body so far has carried out massive restoration of the Nyataponla and Bhairavnath temples, Ta-Pukhu (Siddha Pokhari), the Bhandarkhal Complex, and many other monuments of both religious and archeological importance. Now on the anvil of the municipality are the undertakings involving the rehabilitation of the Taleju Temple Complex, Chatu Brahma Mahavihar, Yaksheswor Mahadev Temple and the 55-Window Palace. In addition, the upkeep of the streets and squares will continue as it had in the past. The most notable part of all these conservation efforts is the active participation of the locals as well as the visiting tourists. While the locals on their part contribute with their labor and skills, tourists do the same through their moral and monetary support.

Bhaktapur Municipality’s commitment to the preservation and promotion of the city and its glorious traditions of art and culture also has taken shape into the legendary Bhaktapur Festival 1997. Organized by the local body for five consecutive days, from October 22 to 26, 1997, the mega event—the first and biggest of its kind ever held in Nepal—had been instrumental in promoting not only Bhaktapur, but also the whole nation in the international arena.

Effortful of realizing its noble objectives, Bhaktapur Municipality has also enforced a ban on vehicles in the Durbar Square. Effective since 1992, the law forbids heavy vehicles from getting into the city core and all kinds of automobiles into the palatial enclave. Because of the municipality’s endeavors and cooperation from the local citizens, Bhaktapur today is Nepal’s one of the least polluted urban areas, besides being the country’s best preserved city.

Given the historic city’s artistic and cultural riches combined with the unspoilt natural atmosphere all around it, a visit to Bhaktapur will sure to become an experience of a lifetime for many. A quiet stroll down the city’s tranquil streets not only take them into a drastically different socio-cultural environment, but also help them explore a glorious dimension of human civilization that is Bhaktapur.

Bhaktapur Craft Paper Community development

Bhaktapur Craft Paper Community development through paper production was founded by UNICEF/Nepal in 1981. It has since been developed and expanded by his majesty's government of Nepal (HMGN) in collaboration with UNICEF - Nepal. The expanded project under the name of Bhaktapur Craft Paper Ltd.(BCP), has launched several community development programmes in different parts of Nepal, aiming specifically to improve the quality of life of the poor and underprivileged and enabling the craftsmen and their families to better their lives and revitalize the local economy.


At present, the BCP programmes cover the five district of Baglung, Parbat, Myagdi, Lamjung and Gorkha in the mid-west, and Bhaktapur in central region. BCP invests a substantial percentage of its profits into community development activities in these districts in the areas of water supply, sanitation and school support. BCP has been a model sustainable project, initiated by UNICEF, a self- sustained organization, and working in collaboration with the Small Farmers Development Programme/Agricultural Development Bank, The Department Of Forest and The Department Of Cottage And Small Industries. It has been turned and incorporated inti public ltd. company for its independant and ligal rntity in 2005. BCP has been registered in Nepal Government of Industry department keeping the name "Bhaktapur Craft Paper Ltd.".

Wooden Sculpture In Nepal

Wooden sculpture in Nepal is another art that traces Nepalese culture from its early beginnings right up to modern times. Many visitors to the Katmandu valley are impressed by the numerous extremely intricate and beautiful wooden windows, wooden staue, wooden doors, temple roof-struts and other artifacts carved entirely by hands of Nepalese wood carvers. As wood is obviously more vulnerable to the ravages of time and other art forms, well-preserved specimens only date back to the 14th century and the beginning of the Malla period. From this period onwards, woodcarving became an integral part of Nepalese architecture, some of the best examples being the old royal palaces of Katmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur and a number of different Viharas (monasteries) around the valley.

Nepal has achieved the high level in wood carving arts. Many carved artifacts have been found in the Terai region of the country, thus providing an insight into the religion and culture of these times. As with painting, nearly all-Nepalese sculptures are of a religious character. In addition to the theme, it seems that the artists themselves were also greatly imbued with a feeling of religious devotion. Sculpting wood is a lengthy and delicate procedure that requires great skill. A large piece of art can take up to more than a month to create and several people need to work on it. Crafting the work by hand is sometimes exhausting. The secrets of quality metalwork were kept restricted to a few families. Knowledge of the skill was passed down generation to generation and was guarded from those outside the family circle.


Still today you can find Shilpakars of Kathmandu, Nepal are devoted to their ancient and cultural gift which has been passed them by their ancestors. The wood work has been so perfect that the materials made by the Shilplakars are highly appreciated by all over the world. These Silpakar and Kaisthakar families enjoy a strong local and foreign market for their products. Most of the woodcraft industry today is focussed on providing local people and tourists with collectible items such as picture frames and miniature statuettes. Bungamati, Lalitpur, is one of Nepal's centers for woodwork and more than 350 family groups can be found there involved in the craft. Along with Bhaktapur, these centers produce high quality hand crafted work. However, only a few artists produce large pieces of arts as the market for them is relatively small, they take a long time to complete and require greater skill. Their Excellency of work can be found in most of the parts of Kathmandu valley, which have attracted many tourists since ancient times.  

Handicrafts

Besides the physical monuments and cultural festivities, the Newars of Bhaktapur have also inherited a long history of craftsmanship. It is here where visitors can have rare close-up views of Nepal’s master craftsmen giving continuity to their time-honored traditions of art. In its two famed Pottery Squares, they can see potters giving shape to lumps of clay on their traditional wooden wheels. Besides, they also encounter the city’s well-acclaimed artisans who, with their wondrously skilled hands, produce a great variety of handicrafts. Bhaktapur’s indigenous handicraft varieties include paubha scroll paintings, papier-mâché masks, cotton cloth, woodcarvings, metalwork, jewelry and ceramic products. In addition, the home-spun haku-patasi (black sari), black cap and the delicious Juju-dhau, literally the "King of all yogurt varieties", have also made this city a favored spot for tourists and the Nepalese alike.

Monuments

Monumental masterpieces in Bhaktapur are innumerable, and each is more attractive than the other. Mostly terra-cotta structures supported by carved wooden columns, elaborately carved struts, windows and doors, gilded roofs and pinnacles, open spacious courts all around and, above all, the fascinating divine images presiding over the monument—many edifices have many things in common, yet their varied shape, size and designs make the one even more wondrous than the other. Furthermore, each of their components reflects the religious belief, social outlook and the economic status of the builders, and the monuments in all carry along a rich artistic tradition of the native Newars.


In Bhaktapur, visitors confront a smaller or larger monument almost at every ten or twenty steps. Perhaps stunned by the clusters of monuments, a visitor in the past had admired the Kathmandu Valley, saying that "every other building (in the Valley) is a temple and every other day a festival". The proportion, owing to continual external invasions and natural calamities, might have changed over centuries, yet the presence of variously shaped and sized monuments in Bhaktapur is still awe-inspiring. The world-famous Nyataponla Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Taleju Temple, 55-Window Palace, Golden Gate, Golden Faucet, Big Bell, Yaksheswor Mahadev Temple, Dattatreya Temple, Peacock Window, Taja Math, Pujari Math, Wakupati Narayan Temple, Nava Durga Temple, Chandeswori Temple, Barahi Temple, Bharbacho Gate, Terra-cotta Windows and Nepal’s largest Shiva Lingum at Hanumanghat, and such historic ponds as Ta-Pukhu, Na-Pukhu, Bhajya-Pukhu and Bahre-Pukhu (Kamal Pokhari) are simply a few among many that embellish the city’s brick- and stone-paved squares, courtyards and open fields. Besides, the presence of a great many Buddhist monuments, many of them rubbing shoulders with Hindu shrines, simply reaffirms the age-old Nepalese tradition of social harmony and religious tolerance among its peace-loving populace. Because of this time-tested tradition, Bhaktapur’s well known Lokeswor Mahavihar, Prasannasheel Mahavihar, Chatu Brahma Mahavihar, Jaya Kirti Mahavihar, Sukra-varna Mahavihar, Dipanker Mahavihar and many other Buddhist shrines have been the places of esteem and adoration for the Hindus alike.

Nagarkot

A view of Nagarkot

Nagarkot is a village and Village Development Committee located 32 km east of Kathmandu, Nepal in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 3504 and had 655 houses in it.[1] At an elevation of 2,195 meters, it is considered one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur District. It is renowned for its sunrise view of the Himalaya including Mount Everest as well as other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley.


Nagarkot is an international tourist destination with spectacular views of the whole Langtang range, sunrise on the mountains and sunset views. We can see the panoramic views of the captivating landscapes and hills with the Kathmandu valley. You can breathe the cool mountain breeze in the resort town of Nagarkot. There are resorts from top-end quality to decent lodges to accommodate you and serves different cuisines.

Changu Narayan

Changu Narayan is the name of the deity enshrined in the Changu Narayan Temple, located near the Changunarayan village in Bhaktapur. The temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to have been constructed in the 4th century. Changu Narayan is the name of Vishnu, and the Temple is dedicated to him. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal. The Changu Narayan Temple is one of seven structures cited by UNESCO as demonstrating the historic and artistic achievements that make the Kathmandu Valley(Bhaktapur) a World Heritage Site.


Known as the biggest among the Narayans, Changu Narayan has greater importance than the others. It is situated at the top of the hill. One can view the beautiful white Himalayas and hills in the north and the whole panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley. The steep green hill of pines adds to its beauty.

Siddha Pokhari

This is a big rectangular water tank located near the main city gate. It is considered as the most ancient pond in Bhaktapur which is known to have many myths associated to it. This 275m×92m pond was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in the early fifteenth century and is associated with a number of different myths. Nowadays, the pond is of both religious and archeological importance. From this spot a wide range of snowy peaks are visible on clear days.

Kamalbinayak

Besides Surya Vinayak two other Ganesh Shrines surround Bhaktapur. One of these Ganesh’s temples is Kamal Binayak, which is located just to the northeast of town, along the Nagarkot road at Kamal Pokhari. This temple of Ganesh, is mostly visited by the local people for the purpose of giving ability to quickly learn and speak their children. Besides, it is also a well known place for its peaceful environment and among youths, couples to spend their idle time.

Suryabinayak

About 2km south of Bhaktapur lies the famous temple of Surya Binayak, which is dedicated to lord Ganesh. The temple is in Shikhara style and is located on a hillock. In the valley are located four popular Ganesh and Surya Binayak is one of them. The Surya Binayak hill looks immensely beautiful and luring during the months of March-April when it is fully covered by Rhododendrons, the national flower of Nepal.

This is a shrine of Ganesh, the elephant-headed God, situated in the beautiful surroundings of Bhadgaon, placed in a sylvan setting to catch the first rays of the rising sun. The view of the city of Bhaktapur is seen from here with snow-capped peaks in the background. Nestled in a thick forest, it is a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscapes.


For an easy stroll, go down to the highway past the trolley-bus and then head up hill. From here you can photograph an unbelievable view of the city backed by the movie-like sets of gigantic Himalayan peaks. Past this about twenty minutes lies the Surya Vinayak Ganesh temple. This is an auspicious place to start your exploring around Bhaktapur, because Ganesh is worshipped before starting any new endeavor. Here the elephant headed good is known as the ‘Sun Ganesh’, because this is the first place in the Valley that the sun's rays hit each the Earth morning. People come here to pray if their children are having trouble learning how to speak, or for just about any activity that requires a little luck. At the top of the hill, a steep flight of stairs leads up to the shrine itself, which is set in a shady forest. Ganesh dwells beneath a golden torana and a big white shikhara. Mounted on a pillar in front of his image is a statue of a large and very realistic looking rat, the god’s vehicle.


At the top of the hill, about another five minute walk, is a shrine to Ganesh’s mother, Parvati. Surrounding the temple is a small beautiful forest. People from all over the Valley come and picnic here, especially on Tuesday, Ganesh’s auspicious day and Saturday. Don’t forget to bring Ganesh’s favorite offerings: radishes, ladoo and sesame seed balls.

Pottery Square

Bhaktapur’s two Pottery Squares are world renowned and so are the many potters that can be seen working there on their traditional wooden wheels. The first Pottery Square is located at Talako, some 500m to the southwest of Taumadhi Square, on the way to the Trolley Bus Terminal. Here visitors will find potters giving shape and size to lumps of black clay, and earthenware they make ranges from such household goods as pots and jars to cheap souvenir items as animals and birds. As pottery in Bhaktapur is a family job, visitors may chance upon the entire family doing their parts of work. Right within the complex is a two-floored temple that houses an ornate image of Ganesh, erected in a very traditional way. The pagoda dates back to the 14th century.

Pottery is very clearly what this square is all about. Towards the southern part of Durbar Square lies the pottery square where thousands of potteries are made. Under shady open verandahs or tin-roofed sheds all around the square, potters' wheels spin and clay is moulded. In the square itself, thousands of finished pots sit out in the sun to dry, and are sold in the stalls around the square.

Dattatriya Square

The Dattatreya Square is Bhaktapur’s third dazzling gem. The seat of royalty till the 15th century, the area still houses a great number of historic monuments including many wondrous Maths (residential mansions) and temples.

The Dattatreya Temple is the main attraction of the Square. Constructed by King Yaksha Malla, the giant three-storied temple is believed to have been built with the stem of a single tree. Having defied series of calamities, it still bears testimony to the incredible achievement made in those regal days of the Nepalese history.


The Wane Layaku complex, which lies to the south-western corner of the Dattatreya temple, is noted for Bhaktapur’s second Taleju shrine. Enclosed with old houses, the courtyard sees throngs of people, especially during the Mohani (Dashain) festival, when a rare Ghau-batacha (Water Clock) is put on public display. During the Malla Era, the water-clock was used by the then rulers and astrologers for fixing "propitious moments" for commencing and concluding various state and social ceremonies.


The Peacock Window, which is also called the "Mona Lisa of Nepal", is a rare masterpiece in wood. Dating back to the early 15th century, the unique latticed window has an intricately carved peacock in its center. The window adorns the Pujari Math which, with rows of exquisitely carved windows and doors, is equally appealing. The building presently houses the Woodcarving Museum. The museum has a rich collection of unique pieces in wood.


The Brass & Bronze Museum, housed in the historic Chikanpha Math, is the next highlight of the Square. It has a wide collection of bronze and brasswares including the ritual jars, utensils, water vessels, pots, spittoons and similar other household items.


Near the Dattatreya Square is the Wakupati Narayan Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the two-storied structure is a unique specimen of pagoda architecture. Next to it is Bhaktapur’s second Pottery Square.

Taumadi Square

The Nyatapola Temple presides over the Taumadhi Square. Dating back to 1702 AD, the colossal five-storied edifice is the country’s tallest pagoda temple. The struts, doors, windows and tympanums—each embellished with attractively carved divine figures—perfectly portray the creative tradition of Newar craftsmen. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Laxmi, the manifestation of female force and creativity. The latest major renovation of this monument was carried out in 1997 AD by Bhaktapur Municipality using the revenue it collected from tourists.


Next to the Nyataponla Temple is the rectangular shaped Bhairavnath Temple. It houses a gilded bust of Bhairav, the ferocious manifestation of Lord Shiva. The three-storied pagoda was razed to the grounds by the 1934-earthquake, and its latest renovation was undertaken by Bhaktapur Municipality in 1995 AD.


The enclosed complex facing the Nyataponla Temple is dedicated to Tilmadhav Narayan, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, who is one of the Supreme Triumvirate of Hindu pantheon. A few steps ahead it, to the southwest, lies the famous Pottery Square, where visitors can see the city’s well-known potters making variously shaped and sized earthenware. The major monumental highlight of this square is a temple of Jeth Ganesh, which dates back to the 14th century.

Durbar Square

Bhaktapur's main square, Durbar Square, houses the 55-window Palace which was constructed by King Jitamitra Malla and was home to royalty until 1769. It is now a National Gallery. Close by is the Golden Gate which leads into Mulchok Court which is home to the Taleju Temple. This temple, like others in the main towns of the Kathmandu Valley, is dedicated to the goddess Taleju Bhawani and includes shrines to both the Taleju Bhawani and Kumari. Entrance to the temple is restricted to Hindus and the living goddess strictly cannot be photographed.


The Durbar square is surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several centuries. The royal palace was originally situated at Dattaraya square and was only later moved to the Durbar square location.


The Durbar square in Bhaktapur was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1934 and hence appears very spacious than the other ones located at Kathmandu and Patan.


Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square is the gem not only of Bhaktapur, but also of the entire nation. The most fascinating structure here is the world-renowned 55-Window Palace. The elaborately carved windows and doors are something that visitors simply cannot help admiring. The seat of royalty before 1769 AD, the building now houses the National Art Gallery—the museum better known for its rich collection of paubha scroll paintings and breathtaking artworks in stone.


The world famous Golden Gate rubs shoulders with the 55-Window Palace. An unparalleled specimen of repousse art dating back to 1756 , it is the entrance to the marvelous Taleju Temple Complex. Getting into it leads to a number of artistica-lly designed chowks (courtyards) including the Royal Bath, which is adorned with the well-admired Golden Faucet among others.


Another artwork that unfailing-ly bewitches visitors in the Square is the Big Bell. Big enough to match its name, the bell was erected by Ranajit Malla (r. 1722-1769), Bhaktapur’s last Malla king. It was used in those days for paying homage to Goddess Taleju, the lineage deity of Malla rulers, as well as to call assemblies of the citizens to 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. To one’s surprise, all dogs around it start whining the moment it is rung by its caretaker.


The Yaksheswor Mahadev Temple equally adds to the Square’s unparallaled beauty. Named after its builder king, Yaksha Malla (r. 1428-82), the two-storied pagoda was constructed after Kathmandu’s world famous Pashupatinath temple. It is noted for its wooden struts full of erotic carvings.


Other notable monuments in and around the historic Durbar Square are: the octagonal Chyasin Mandap, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, Shiva Temple (Fasi-dega), Vatsala Temple, Bhandarkhal Complex, Chatu Brahma Mahavihar, Indrayani Temple, Balakhu Ganesh Temple, Tripura-sundari Temple and the Char Dham symbolizing the four greatest Hindu pilgrimage sites.

Introduction

Bhaktapur (Nepali: भक्तपुर Bhaktapur ), also Bhadgaon or Khwopa (Nepal Bhasa: ख्वप Khwopa) is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone. It is the third largest city in Kathmandu valley and was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century.


Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork.
The term "Bhaktapur" (Sanskrit/Nepali: भक्तपुर) refers to "The City Of Devotees". This Bhaktapur City is
also known as "Khwopa" (Nepal Bhasa: ख्वप) or "Bhadgaon" (Nepali:भादगाँउ) or "Ancient Newari Town" throughout the Kathmandu valley.


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, which in fact, is itself a world to explore for tourist.


Geopraphy

Bhaktapur is around 13 km east of Kathmandu and lies on the old trade route to Tibet. It occupies an area of around 119 km² at an altitude of 1,401 meters above sea-level. Bhaktapur district, in which the Bhaktapur city lies, is the smallest district of Nepal.


Tourism
Bhaktapur is a popular day-trip destination for tourists visiting Kathmandu. Lately, with more air-pollution in Kathmandu, more tourists are staying in Bhaktapur for a few days, before trekking arrangements are finished. In addition, although the Mount Everest (i.e. Sagarmatha) is breathtaking and the landscape of Lord Buddha (i.e. Founder of Peace) mysterious, tourists visiting Nepal still don't feel their sojourn complete unless they have experienced Bhaktapur, Nepal's ancient "City of Culture".


Pottery is one of the main tourist attractions in Bhaktapur besides the architecture. In Nepal the city is renowned for its yoghurt or curd Ju-Ju Dhau, traditionally sold in clay bowls.


(THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF BHAKTAPUR)
Four Squares - Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square.
Popular Places -   Surya Vinayak, Kamal Vinayak,   Siddha Pokhari, Changu Narayan (World Heritage Site), Nagarkot, Chonga Ganesh etc.
Devine Miracolus Vision - Largest Shiva lingum, Golden Spout and Gate, Magnificent peacock windows, around 40 temples etc.