Bhaktapur Durbar Square History

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur literally translates to Place of devotees. Also known as Khwopa, it is an ancient Newar city in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, about 8 miles from the capital city, Kathmandu. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone. It is administratively divided into 10 wards. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the most historical and cultural place of Bhaktapur because in ancient time the king of Bhaktapur lived here.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the plaza in front of the royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom, 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) above sea level.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square History

Bhaktapur used to be the ruling throne of the Kathmandu Valley until the king, Yakshya Malla, in 1482, divided the kingdom between his three sons, eventually fading the strength of unity and losing the nation to the Shah dynasty from Gorkha. But, before losing the kingdom to Shah kings, Bhaktapur was renowned for its Malla Yuddha; a fierce combat between two wrestlers. Hence, one can observe muscular craved wrestlers, as the trademark of the city, into various temples of as the guardian of the city and of the Gods.

Major attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the reign of the Malla King Yaksha Malla in 1427 AD and was remodeled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the 17th century.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square Tour, popular for its religious, culture and historical heritage, Bhaktapur is also known as Bhadgaun. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square
 The main items of interest in Durbar Square are:

The Lion Gate: Dating as far back as A.D. 1696, this gate is guarded on either side by two huge statues of lions. Alongside, there are two stone images of Bhairav (the dreadful aspect of Shiva) and Ugrachandi (the consort of Shiva in her fearful manifestation).

The Golden Gate : 

The Golden Gate is said to be the most beautiful and richly molded specimen of its kind in the entire world. The door is surmounted by a figure of the goddess Kali and Garuda (the mythical man-bird) and attended by two heavenly nymphs. It is also embellished with mythical creatures of marvelous intricacy, In the words of Percy Brown, an eminent English art critic, and historian, the Golden Gate is the most lovely piece of art in the whole Kingdom: it is placed like a jewel, flashing innumerable facets in the handsome setting of its surroundings. The gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla and is the entrance of the main courtyard of the Palace of Fifty-five Windows.

The Palace of Fifty-five Windows : 

This magnificent palace was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was subsequently remodelled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the seventeenth century. Among the brick walls with their gracious setting and sculptural design, is a balcony with Fifty-five Windows, considered to be a unique masterpiece of woodcarving.

The Art Gallery: The Art Gallery contains ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods and descriptions. This gallery is open everyday except Tuesday.

The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla:

 This statue showing King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is set on a column facing the palace. Of the square's many statues, this is considered to be the most magnificent.