BHAKTAPUR
DURBAR SQUARE: ITS ANCIENT TEMPLES AND MONUMENTS.
BHAKTAPUR
Bhaktapur
(also called Bhadgaon or Khopa in native tongue), which also goes by the name the 'City of Devotees', the 'City of Culture', the
'Living Heritage', the ‘Open Museum’, and 'Nepal's Cultural Gem', is one of the
three royal cities of Kathmandu Valley and used to be the capital during the
great 'Malla Kingdom' until the second half of the 15th century. It is located
20 kilometers east of Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is home to some of the best
preserved historical monuments including palaces, courtyards, temples, pagodas,
monuments, craftwork, hand-crafted peacock windows, etc reflecting the
historical and cultural significance. The Population of Bhaktapur is dominated
by Newars signifying the rich concentration of culture and tradition among the
Newars of Bhaktapur, where they have their own festivals, music and dances. The
entire city is full of historical masterpieces.
Bhaktapur is also famous for its marvelous crafts
including pottery, weavery, thanka and masks and is popular for its mask dances
that reflect the lives of different Gods and deities. It lies along the ancient trade route between India and Tibet and
provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas. Although Bhaktapur is geographically a small district,
the national history is inevitably connected with the history of Bhaktapur.
Bhaktapur appears to be remarkably either in the political or the religious
history, economic or socio-cultural history, or in the case of arts and
architecture.
Bhaktapur is shaped like
a flying pigeon, spreads over an area of 6.88 sq km and lies at 1401 meters
above sea level. It has two of the seven monument zones within the Kathmandu
Valley listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is
one of the World Heritage site listed by UNESCO and it will be discussed
further.
BHAKTAPUR
DURBAR SQUARE
Bhaktapur Durbar square
(Layaku’ in Newari language) is the centre of tangible and
intangible heritages. Bhaktapur is the Rome of
Nepal and Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the monumental treasure of Bhaktapur.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one of the oldest royal palaces of the Kathmandu
valley, from where the entire kingdom of Nepal was ruled for more than three
centuries, was the most extensive palace complex with ninety-nine courtyards
and many famous adjoining parts. The
royal palace was originally situated at Dattaraya square and was only later
moved to the Durbar square location. Bhaktapur Durbar Square seems to have been
enriched with the specimens of richest arts and architectures since the ancient
times. Along the flow of time, many changes occurred in the Durbar Square with
many heritages being built, modified and destroyed. Although
1/3 of the ancient temples, monasteries, and other ornate buildings were destroyed
in the earthquake of 1934, yet many gems still remain.
In Present, Bhaktapur Durbar square is the
main square in the city. Many of its Monuments were destroyed in the Recent
Great Earthquake of 2015. Some of the heritages have been reconstructed and
some are still work-in-process. The Durbar Square is particularly famous for
its stone art, wood carving, terracotta art and architectural showpieces. The
main attraction of the Durbar Square includes Nayatpola Temple, The Chardham temples (Jagannath, Rameswor, Badrinath and
Kedarnath), The Krishna temple (also called ‘Gopinath mandir’), Dabali
(platefarm), Golden statue of King Bhupatindra Malla in front of the Golden
Gate, The Big Bell, Yachheshwor Mahadev Temple, Bhairabnath Temple,
Chyasinhmandap, Phasi dega, Vatsala Temple and many more master pieces of stone
sculpture.
BHAKTAPUR DURBAR
SQUARE: IT’S ANCIENT TEMPLES
1. Nayatpola Temple
Nayatpola Temple is the
tallest and miraculous multi-tiered pagoda temple of Nepal. It was built in
1702 A.D. in the time of Bhupatindra Malla. Nayatpola in native tongue means
Five Stories, the symbolic of Five Basic Elements. This temple is iust over
thirty meters high. It has never been destroyed since its inception and the
wonder is that the construction-work of this temple was completed within eight
month. The then contemporary records, which are now preserved in the National
Archives, are testimony to this fact. This temple is dedicated to Goddess
Siddhilaxmi, the manifestation of female force and creativity.
2. Bhairabnath Temple
Lord Bhairabnath is the supreme deity of
Bhaktapur and he resides in a three-tiered rectangular temple. Initially, it
was a single-tired temple, built in 1547 A.D. but later, in 1718 A.D., King
Bhupatindra Malla enlarged it adding the two more roofs. This Temple is dedicated to Bhairava the fiercest and manifestation aspect of
Lord Shiva. Despite Bhairab’s fearsome powers and his
massive temple, the deity is depicted here as a disembodied head just 15 cm
high.
3.
Vatsala Devi temple
This shikhara style temple was built originally in the time of
King Jitamitra Malla in 1696 A.D. This temple is located infront of 55 Window
Palace, besides the King Bhupatindra Malla’s Statue and next to Taleju Bell. It
is built upon a three-stage plinth, completely constructed in sandstone and
thus, resembles Krishna Temple of Patan. The structure that is seen in the
present however was constructed by King Bhupatindra Malla in between late 17th
and early 18th Century.
4.
Yachheswor Temple
This two tiered temple is one of the most excellent artistic
buildings with beautiful masterpieces of woodworks. The wooden-struts of this
temple have the erotic postures which are based on the traditional erotic text
i.e. Kamasutra. This temple is named after Yaksha Malla (1428-1482 A.D.). This
Temple is also regarded as the Pashupati of Bhaktapur. The temple is said to
have been built after the king dreamt of it.
5.
Narayan Temple
It is a Shikhara styled temple, existed in the south of
Yachheshwor Temple. This temple was built in the time of Bhupatindra Malla
around 17th-18th Century.
6.
Phasi Dega/
Shilumahadev Temple
Phasi Dega is the newari name which means ‘Pumpkin like temple’. It
is massive domed temple dedicated to lord Nilkanthesvar Mahadev. It was built
in the time of King Jitamitra Malla in between late 16th and early
17th century. It was destroyed by the recent great earthquake of 2015.
7.
Gopi Nath Temple/ Jagannath
It
is a two roofed Pagoda Style temple, lying in close vicinity to Rameshwar
Temple that houses the three deities Balaram, Subhadra and Krishna. It was
constructed at the time of Bhupatindra Malla. It is difficult to see the
deities as the door remains mostly closed. The temple is also known as
Jagannath, which is another form taken by Vishnu. Dwarka, also known as the
Krishna Temple, houses three deities, left to right: Satyabhama, Krishna, and Radha.
Their images are carved in stone. In the month of Mangsir (November/December),
the deities are placed in a palanquin and taken around the city.
8.
Rameshwor Temple
This
temple was constructed in the time of Bhupatindra Malla. The first temple one
notices on the right of the gate is Rameshwar, in front of Gopi Nath Temple
which is a Gum Baja style. It is an open shrine with four pillars and it is
dedicated to Shiva. The name Rameshwar comes from that it was Ram as an
incarnation of Vishnu who had the original temple of Mahadev built at Rameshwar
Temple in South India.
9.
Badrinath Temple
This
temple too was built in the time of Bhupatindra Malla. This Temple lies West to
the Gopi Nath Temple. This temple is devoted to Bishnu and Narayan hence, it is
famous by its local name ‘Badri Narayan’.
10. Kedarnath
Temple
This
Shikhara Style temple was made using the terracotta. It was built in around 18th
and 19th Century. Lord Shiva is worshipped in this temple.
OTHER
MONUMENTS:
·
The Golden Gate
Locally known as
Lun-dhwaka, the Golden gate is the main entrance of the Bhaktapur Raj Durbar
complex. Jagajyotir Malla initiated to build the main gate but he was not
successful due to such reasons and his successor’s i.e. Jagatprakash Malla and
Jitamitra Malla also tried their level best to make the gate but were
unsuccessful. Although there was a long delay, Ranajit Malla became successful
in building the gate in 1757 A.D. since he earned much gold by the trade with
Tibet-via Khasa and Kuti. The gate was dedicated to goddess Taleju, the lineage
deity of the Malla rulers.
The golden gate was the latest masterpiece of the richest metal
art that was not only memory of the last king Ranajit Malla, but it is still
symbolizing along with the entire Durbar Square, the centre of the Malla
administration, high days of the practice of the esoteric tantric religion and
culture, prestigious way of socio-economic life of the common people, as well
as a magnificent model of the Newar architecture and civilization.
·
Yasamari Sattal
The three storied Yasamari Sattal,
constructed by King Bishwa Malla in 17th-18th Century,
lies at the middle part of Bhaktapur. It is believed that a big tree was cut
down and this sattal was made in the exact place. The King provided the Sattal
to the Ascetic People (Jogis or Sanyasis) to perform various rituals. In
present, this Sattal is used as a Special Restaurant by various people and
tourists.
·
Betal Pati
It used to be a Sattal like structure next
to Bhairabnath Temple. It was constructed around 17th and 18th
Century. It was completely destroyed in the recent Earthquake of 2015.
·
Jaladroni
Jaladroni, built around 17th-18th
Century, is considered to be the masterpiece when it comes to the stone arts.
In ancient times, it was used as a tap, which it functions no more. Water from
this tap is taken as a holy symbol of sacredness.
·
Chatu-Brahma Mahabihar
Chatu- Brahama Mahabihar is one of the
oldest bihars of Bhaktapur. It was constructed around 16th-17th
Century and it houses one of the five ornate images of Dipankar Buddha in the
city. This Bihar is called “Tadhiche Baha:” in native tongue, meaning Big or
large house. It is believed that the Medieval Kings Raya Malla, Ram Malla, Ari
Malla, Abhay Malla invited Jiwachandra Bajracharya, the inhabitant of Kathmandu
to construct this bihar. The Bihar worships Lokeshwor as a main god. There is a
big statue of Dipankar Buddha in the North East part of the sattal.
·
Tawa Sattal
This sattal lies in front of the Phasi
Desga Temple. This sattal was made in the alphabet “L” structure with around 13
spaces between the two pillars. This Sattal was built by King Jagat Prakash
Malla. There is Big Shiva Linga, made of stone, facing the entrance of the
sattal. It is still in its reconstruction Phase having been damaged by the
recent earthquake.
·
Chyasi Mandap
The Three storied
Octagonal Shaped Mandap lies just in front of the Fifty-five window palace.
This Mandap was constructed by the Queen of Yakshya Malla in the late 15th
Century. This temple is said to have been constructed so that the Shiva Temple
would not be seen directly from the Palace. This mandap was completely
destroyed in earthquake of 1990 B.S. and was later restored in 1992 A.D. by the
assistance of German Government. There is a statue of Eight Chiranjibis
(Astawashu) inside the mandap.
·
Dhunge Dhara (Stone
Spouts)
Traditional Stone
Spouts is quiet common in many parts of Nepal. Though it played an important
role in water supply in ancient times, it is no longer used. Water from this
spouts is taken as aholy sign of sacredness amd is considered holiest of all.
·
Big Bell
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is also home to the
Big Bell, built by the last Malla king of Bhaktapur, Ranajit Malla in the 18th
century. It was rung to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju and to harken the
public to town meetings. Today it is rung twice a day as a tribute to the
Goddess Taleju. Next to this bell is the Barking Bell, so named because dogs
bark to its ring.
·
Ugrachandi and Bhairab
These stone arts are supposed to be made at the beginning of 17th
Century, constructed by Bhupatindra Malla. It is considered to be one of the
masterpiece stone art of Malla times. Ugrachandi is the fearsome manisfestation
of of
Shiva’s consort Parvati with eighteen arms holding weapons, and she is in the
position of casually killing a (Buffalo) demon. Bhairab has twelve arms and
both god and goddess are garlanded with necklaces of human heads. it is said
that the unfortunate sculptor had his hands cut off afterward, to prevent him
from duplicating his masterpieces.
·
55 Window Palace
This
is indeed one of the most world-renowned Durbar having fifty-five windows in
one row, a masterpiece of awesome wood art and as well as famous for the
world-class wall paintings. The discoveries of this Durbar also unveiled the
fact that King Bhupatindra Malla built this Durbar in 1708 A.D. It is important
to mention here that the recent discovery of 147 classical song-names including
the miniature-carvings of the classical Rag-raginies from these 147 tiny niches
of this Durbar. It is quite appropriate from this, to mark the palace as a
musical-palace. The Durbar served as the seat of
royalty prior to 1769. The palace has elaborately carved windows and doors and
houses the National Art Gallery, with Buddhist Paubha scroll paintings, palm
leaf manuscripts, and stone carvings.
·
Eta
Chappali Sattal
This
sattal lies in front of the Lal Baithak and was constructed around 17th-18th
century. This two storied Sattal is quiet long; given it has 21 spaces between
the pillars. This Sattal was designed more for the Political Purpose rather than
Social and cultural. This Sattal was used by king to reach to his citizens and
making various decisions. It is now used as a Palace Restaurant serving
tourists as well as other visitors.
·
Bhupatindra
Malla’s Statue
This
Statue lies infront of the Golden Gate and King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of
worship can be seen on a column facing the palace. Of the square's many
statues, this is considered to be the most magnificent.
·
Lal
Baithak
Lal
Baithak in Durbar Square was built in ancient Malla style of architecture. The
monument was later renovated in European style by Ranas. Having been completely
destroyed during the 2015 earthquake, it is said to be reconstructed in ancient
MallamStyle.
·
Royal
Bath
The
Royal Bath was built by King Jitamitra Malla in 1678. It is constructed from a
natural spring. It is also called Naag Pokhari and is located in a court yard
inside the golden gate. The Royal Bath is renowned for the detailed stone and
copper gilded serpents that encircle the stone bath along with the gilded metal
spout.
These are the Major monuments around the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Apart from it, there are many chowks, statues, and other parts off the square that are equally important. Having proper knowledge of the listed monuments will help in proper sight seeing.
For Watching the Monuments Click this Link:
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