Bhaktapur Durbar Square - Medieval Temples, Palaces, Museums - Enlisted As a World Heritage Site


Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the center of Bhaktapur city. Bhaktapur Durbar Square was designated as a World Heritage site in Nepal by UNESCO in 1979. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is bigger in area than Kathmandu Durbar Square and less crowded compared to Patan Durbar Square. The devastating earthquake of 1934 is believed to have destroyed buildings and many temples of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. There is a ticket booth in the end of the Durbar Square where SAARC nationals and foreigners need to pay an entrance fee.

Heritages
Bhaktapur Durbar Square has among the greatest collections of the best medieval arts of Nepal. There are lots of lovely temples, buildings and palaces at the Bhaktapur Durbar Square that are examples of architecture. These include The Lion Gate, The Golden Gate, the 55 window palace, the statue of Bhupatindra Malla, Nyatopola temple, Vatsala Temple, Dattatraya temple, The Art Gallery, Pujari Math, Bhairav Nath temple, The Shiva Parvati Temple and the Pashupatinath Temple. Dattatreya Temple is the oldest temple architecture in Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Temples
The Lion Gate was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in the 17th century. The Lion Gate is guarded on each side by 2 stone statues of Goddess Ugrachandi and Lord Bhairab and by statues of lions. It's said that cut off so that he couldn't replicate those masterpieces. The Golden Temple, which was built by King Ranjit Malla, has a picture of Goddess Kali and Garuda (the legendary guy bird) at the top. It is embellished with mythical creatures and nymphs with intricacy. The Golden Gate is this 55 window palace along with the Taleju Temple's entrance. A group of four temples at the end of the Durbar Square, namely Rameshwar Temple, Badri Temple, Krishna Temple and Shiva Temple, are known as the Char Dham - four places.
The temple in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, also Called the Yaksheswor Mahadev Temple, is a replica of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Legend has it that a Bhaktapur king had a dream in which Lord Shiva asked him to build a temple to him. The king built the Pashupatinath Temple and obeyed the command of Lord Shiva. Nyatopola temple at Bhaktapur is 5 storied and is 30 meters high. Nyatopola Temple is one of the greatest examples of Nepali architecture. In Newari, Nyatopole refers to the 5 elements - water, wind, fire, sky and earth.
Palaces The 55 Window Palace has a balcony of 55 windows and is considered a unique masterpiece of woodcarving. King Bhupatindra Malla in the 17th century remodeled the palace.
Bhakapur Royal Palace was built by King Yaksha Malla and has been added to by many kings. This palace's western end was converted to an Art Gallery. The Art Gallery has a screen of Hindu and Buddhist paintings, paubha (paintings on fabric ) and metal, rock and woodcrafts. The Art Gallery is open everyday except for Tuesdays. Vatsala Temple is a gorgeous Shikhara style temple. Has a strong resemblance.

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