Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur Bhadgaon, also known as Bhaktapur, stood the capital of Nepal Valley once during the olden days. And today it is a treasure home of medieval arts and architectures. According to a legend this city was founded in 889 A.D. by late King Anand Deb who belonged to the famous Lichhabi dynasty. The whole city takes the relevant shape of a ‘Khat-Kon’ or David’s Star. Bhaktapur signifies the “City of Devotees”, with the sole majority of Hindus. The urban sector covers an area of 4 square miles. Pottery plus weaving form its traditional industries. They make the best yogurt of the kingdom; so it is known as ‘juju dhou’ or ‘king curd.’ Nowadays numerous cottage factories produce masks and wooden handicrafts as well. Bhaktapur is 13 kilometers direct east of Kathmandu and is accessible by public taxi vehicles including the bus, mini-bus, trolley-bus, cab and auto-rickshaw.
Some of the Monuments to be seen here are :-
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur, literally the city of Devotees’, is renowned for its elegant art, fabulous culture, colorful festivals, traditional dances and the typical Newar life style. Tourists visiting Nepal feel their visit incomplete unless they get a mesmerizing glimpse of this ancient city of culture. Old dances and festival are still observed by the locals with the same fervor and enthusiasm as their ancestors did in the past. King Yarsh Mall (15th century) heavily fortified this city. The Hindus and the Buddhists have coexisted in harmony and drawn inspirations from each other through the ages. Bhaktapur is predominantly comprised of the peasantry, painting, carving, masonry, bronze casting, jewelry; pottery, etc are other traditional enterprises still existing. Monuments and artistic carvings on wood, stone and metals are strewn all over the historical core of the city. Alleys and narrow and zigzagged lanes lead you to see the Environment of Newar medieval settlements.
Datta – Traya Square
Further to the north-east of Toumadhi Square is another interesting locality caled Datta-Traya Square. In fact this is the second important urban spot of Bhadgaon. The Datta-Traya Temple also built by late King Vupatindra Malla in the 17th century is a famous pagoda carrying an amusing history. This is a wooden temple facing west; it is believed that the timber used for its relevant construction was sawed out of a single tree. So you can imagine how big the tree must have been. The square has been nomenclatured from the name of the Deity itself. The three-storied temple is dedicated to the three-headed Deity of the orthodox Hindus. It symbolizes the divine triad, a mere combination of Brahma (the Creator), Bishnu (the Preserver) and Maheshwor (the Destroyer). The square as a whole can be regarded as a marvelous gallery of intricate wood carvings. One can smell environments of medieval period around the square. In the periphery of the temple, you can also see monasteries, Vimsen Temple and a platform. There are a couple of handicraft quarters around where watching the skills of the carvers is a sheer joy. The Pujari-Math Temple has the renowned Peacock Window in the laneside facing the cardinal direction of east. It is a pure wooden structure, a master-piece indeed. Apart from these, there exist two special museums-the Metal Craft Museum and the Wood Craft Museum.
Changu Narayan
It is Listed in the world cultural heritage, it is also a scenic spot situated at the altitude of about 1700, 4 km to the north of Bhaktapur. The temple is believed to be the oldest of all the temples of Nepal. It is said to have built by king Hari Datta Verma in 323 A.D. And most Authentic inscription locates in the precinct of changu Narauan is dated 464 AD. And it is accredited to the King Lichavi King Mandeva.
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