Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the crown jewel of the ancient city of Bhaktapur. Also enlisted in 1979, the square boasts the iconic 55-Window Palace, the towering Nyatapola Temple, and the Bhairavnath Temple. Bhaktapur, or Khwopa, has preserved its medieval charm with brick streets, traditional pottery, and vibrant festivals like Bisket Jatra. It’s a living museum of art and heritage.
Bhaktapur was a powerful kingdom ruled by Malla dynasty in the early 11th century. At that time the valley was divided into 3 kingdoms Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. The Malla kings were great patrons of art, architecture, and religion. Every single monument is an art piece, testament to the great appreciation of art they had. To enter the square, foreigners need to pay Rs.2000, SAARC countries + Chinese people need to pay Rs.500.
One of the most recognisable entrance to the main palace is the Golden Gate. It was built by King Ranjit Malla in the 18th century, and it shows the beautiful craftmanship involved into making this. It is a gold plated copper gate that shows various gods and goddess. Right besides the gate we can see the iconic 55-Window Palace, which was the royal residence of the Malla kings. The windows were hand crafted by skilled craftmanship.
The square is filled with many temples symbolizing the strong connection to religion. One of the most prominent of them being the Taleju Temple, dedicated to the royal goddess Taleju Bhawani. One can only be king if they are recognized by Taleju Bhawani. This temple isn’t open for the general public. Another temple that is equally prominent is the Vatsala Devi Temple, a stone shikhara style temple dedicated to Shiva can be seen in the square. Nyatapola Temple, although not technically inside the square is nearby. It is the tallest temple of Nepal, and it is dedicated to the goddess Siddhi Lakshimi. This temple is regarded as the protector of Bhaktapur and many people come for the blessing of the goddess.
One of the most interesting sights that can be seen on the square is a tall statue of Bhupatindra Malla. This statue was erected in the 17th century facing the Taleju Bhawani Temple. In the statue, the king is sitting down in a prayer position to show devotion to the goddess and the people of Bhaktapur.
In the palace square, you can even visit the National Art Museum, which houses many artifacts that was once in the royal palace. The types of things found are- Thangka Paintings, bronze sculptures, woodcarvings, manuscripts, stone carvings, etc. This is a treasure trove of historical and cultural significant artifacts. Foreigners need to pay Rs.150 once to visit any of the museums that exist in the square. The ticket last for a few days so there is no need to rush that much.
One of the courtyards in the Square is called Pottery Square (Talako tole), where local potters make clay pots. The square is filled with pots drying in the sun. The professional potters use traditional ways to make these clay pots and sell them directly or indirectly. You can even take a pottery lesson for Rs.1500, applies both to foreigners and Nepali citizens.
Around the Square you can find a shop called “Peacock factory” where traditional handicrafts are done. If you wish to get genuine Nepali handicrafts, this is the best place to go. You can find people playing traditional games like “Kashipalapya” or “Bagchal” aroudn the square.
To enjoy Bhaktapur to the full extent, use our guide service at Six Friends Trekking.