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bhaktapur
Bhaktapur, or
Bhadgaon as the city is also known, is a museum of
medieval art and architecture with many fine examples of
sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda consecrated
to different gods and goddesses. The city is shaped like
a conch shell, one of the emblems of the god Vishnu, and
was founded by King Ananda Deva in 889 A.D. The altitude
of the city is 1,402 metres above sea level. Pottery and
weaving are its major traditional industries. The city
lies fifteen kilometres to the east of Kathmandu, and is
linked by a highway. Some of Bhaktapur's important
sightseeing places are as follows:
Siddha Pokhari-This is a big rectangular
water tank located near the main city gate. It was built
during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in the early
fifteenth century and is associated with a number of
different myths. From this spot a wide range of snowy
peaks are visible on clear days.
Durbar
Square-Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a
conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara-style temples
grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and
wood. The square is one of the most charming
architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights
the ancient arts of Nepal. The golden effigies of the
kings perched on the top of stone monoliths, the
guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the
wood carvings in every place - struts, lintels,
uprights, tympanums, gateways and windows all seem to
form a well-orchestrated symphony. The main items of
interest in the Durbar Square are:
(a)
The Lion Gate-Dating as far back as 1696
A.D., this gate is guarded on either side by two huge
statues of lions. Alongside there are two stone images
of Bhairab (the dreadful aspect of Shiva) and ugrachandi
(the consort of Shiva in her fearful manifestation).
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(b)
The Golden Gate-The Golden Gate is said
to be the most beautiful and richly moulded specimen of
its kind in the entire world. The door is surmounted by
a figure of the goddess Kali and Garuda (mythical
man-bird) and attended by two heavenly nymphs. It is
also embellished with monsters and other mythical
creatures of marvellous 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 to the main courtyard of the palace
of fifty-five windows.
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(c)
The Palace
of Fifty-five Windows-This magnificent
Palace was built during the reign of King Yaksha Malla
in 1427 A.D., 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 of fifty-five windows, considered
to be a unique masterpiece of woodcarving.
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(d)
The Picture Gallery-The
Picture Gallery is of considerable value which contains
ancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist
Tantrism of various periods and descriptions. This
gallery is open everyday except Tuesday.
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(e)
The
Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla-This
statue showing King Bhupatindra Maila in the act of
worship, can be seen placed on a column facing the
palace. Of the square's many statues, this is considered
to be the most magnificent.
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(f)
Batsala Temple-The stone temple of
Batsala Devi depicts many intricate carvings; however,
it is most famous for its bronze bell, known to local
residents as 'the bell-of barking dogs', as when it is
rung, all dogs in the vicinity begin barking and
howling! The colossal bell was hung by King Ranjit Malla
in 1737 A.D. and was used to sound the daily curfew. It
is nowadays rung every morning when goddess Taleju is
worshipped.
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(g)
The Pashupati Temple-This
temple is a replica of the famous temple by the Bagmati
river in Kathmandu and is widely noted for the erotic
carvings on its struts. 11 was built by King Yakshya
Malla.
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Nyatapola Temple-This five-storeyed
pagoda was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1702 A.D.
It stands on five terraces, on each of which squat a
pair of figures: two famous wrestlers, two elephants,
two lions, two griffins, and Baghini and Singhini - the
tiger and the lion goddesses. Each pair of figures is
considered ten times stronger than the ones immediately
below, while the lowest pair, the two strong men Jaya
Malla and Phatta Malla, were reputedly ten times
stronger than any other men. This is one of the tallest
pagoda-style temples in Kathmandu Valley and is famous
for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.
Just beside temple is a monastery (Math) with
exquisitely carved peacock windows. These famous windows
were also carved during the reign of King Vishwa Malla.
The monastery is full of artistic facades of latticed
windows and engraved columns.
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Bhairab Nath Temple-This
is another pagoda temple of lord Bhairab, the dreadful
aspect of Shiva. It stands a short distance away from
the temple of Nyatapola and was originally constructed
by King Jagat Jyoti Malla on a modest scale. It was
later remodelled by King Bhupatindra Malla, a zealous
lover of the arts, into what it is now a three-storeyed
temple.
Dattatraya Temple-The temple of
Dattatraya is as old as the Palace of fifty-five
windows. Consecrated by King Yakshya Malla in 1427 A.D.,
this temple, according to popular belief, was built out
of the trunk of a single tree. It was subsequently
repaired and renovated by King Vishwa Malla in 1458 A.D.
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There is much more to the Kathmandu Valley than its
museum-like cities. All over the Valley, there are
beautiful and interesting towns, each with its own
history and legends, shrines and stupas. Most of these
smaller towns and villages can be approached by car or
bus while others require a good walk or cycle ride.
There are also several scenic spots on the edge of the
Valley that command dramatic views of the great
Himalayan peaks. In fact, the Kathmandu Valley is ideal
for a short visit and a mini trek.
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