WELCOME TO BHAKTAPUR
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The city of culture and devotees
Destinatons
List of must visit places and the best tourist spots within Bhaktapur
Taumadhi Square
Taumadhi Square is one of the busiest squares of Bhaktapur which lies on the eastern elevation of Bhaktapur durbar square. A narrow street (on the south of Bhaktapur Durbar Square) filled with souvenir shops ultimately leads you toward the Taumadhi square. Taumadhi Square, which houses the tallest pagoda styled temple of Nepal (Nyatapola Temple), also houses several temples, Sattal, water conduits, Maths (the Agam Chhen) and Dabus/Dabalis (platforms). However, most people know this place only for Nyatapola Temple.
Durbar Square
One of Nepal’s most stunning and regal locations is the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one of the sites recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Locals call this area Khwopa (the ancient city of Newa). This site’s stunning and charming architecture is Newari-built. If you go to Bhaktapur, make sure to take lots of photos in Durbar Square. Its beauty endured two deadly earthquakes, one in 1934 and one in 2015. In this neighbourhood, the 17th century saw the construction of the majority of the buildings. The Royal Family of Bhaktapur owned the entire compound. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square will provide you with an insight into Nepal’s former regal era.
Dattatraya and pottery Square
Dattatraya Square is the oldest square among the four charming squares of Bhaktapur. For the reason that it is situated quite far from the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, most people prefer to visit this place at least. However, being the ultimate square to be visited too, it again gives a bunch of surprises to its visitors. This square is named after the Dattatraya temple, where Dattatraya, a part of the trinity is worshipped. As the other squares of Bhaktapur, this sort of place is also filled with minor and major temples. If you walk north from this temple, you’ll see a Salan Ganesh temple and behind it a giant manmade pond dedicated to Lord Ganesh. The pond is called Ganesh pokhari.
Pilot Baba Ashram
The Pilot Baba Ashram lies in the southern hill station of Bhaktapur, which lies in the southern hill station of Bhaktapur Nagar. The hill station before the erection of Pilot Baba Ashram was merely known as the Ghyampe Danda. Well, you can find a portion of Ghyampe Danda on Google Maps, if you specifically search for it. The ashram also has a Shiva temple, named Somnath temple. From its right corner, you can catch the perfect sunset that goes under the nearby hill station of Kathmandu valley. However, the destination also gives you a slightly complete view of the only International Airport of Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport, landing and taking off of the flights.
Ghyampe Danda
A perfect place for camping. Right above the Pilot Baba Ashram and below Ranikot Danda, there lies the Ghyampe Danda. Besides camping, you can go ziplining over there or simply hike. With the view of beautiful Himalayan ranges, Ghyampe Danda also offers a ravishing sunset view
Thimi
Thimi is an ancient cultural city of Bhaktapur as well as Nepal. You gotta believe that this city perfectly lies in between the three majestically beautiful cities of Nepal, i.e, Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur. This dense burgh is full of Newa culture, tradition, pottery, vegetation, and festivals. In various ways, the city counts as the Bhaktapur Nagar, the UNESCO World Heritage site. Since it is also rich in festivities, jatras, culture, art, and architecture. The city is more famous for the Mahakali Dance, Bhairav Dance, Nil barahi dance, Sindur Jatra, and tongue-piercing jatra. Besides, it is a beautiful city, which makes it worthwhile to visit once in your lifetime. Don’t miss this place if you are planning to explore Bhaktapur.
Changu Narayan Temple
Changu Narayan Temple is the oldest temple in Nepal, yet is extremely beautiful. The wood carvings of the struts, old statues, and miniature temples, all depict the ancient city of the whole nation. Besides, the temple-like most of the other temples in Nepal lies on the top of the hill. Therefore, this place with religious importance also has a natural feast. The northern alley of the changu is all filled with pristine views of the Himalayas. That’s why, the destination also desists as one of the best hiking trails of Bhaktapur, the Nagarkot-changu hiking trail, and one of the best places to explore newa and the Gurung cuisine. A single bus from Bagbazaar could drop you at Changu but it’s quite time-consuming.
Kailashnath temple
The tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the entire world is the statue of Kailash Nath Mahadev which lies within the border of the Bhaktapur. Both the view of such a tall stature and the view that you would have, especially on the sunset simply would blow your mind along with your hairs by the crisp air. It’s an amazing place. Half an hour of bus ride from Jagati bus park would drop you on the Sanga, from where the quick walk is required. Well, if you are in Bhaktapur Durbar Square then, you must ride a bus, at first, to reach Jagati itself.
Ranikot
Ranikot is one popular destination for hiking in Bhaktapur. The crispy and crooked path from Suryabinayak via Pilot Baba Ashram to Ranikot offers beautiful and dramatic views of nearby villages and the Kathmandu Valley. Being situated in the southern hill station of Bhaktapur, it also offers majestic views of the Himalayas ranges in the north. Well, Ranikot resort over there waits for you to wake up with the shining ray of the sun, early in the morning. Those sun patches overlapping the jungles of Ranikot and the smell of freshness made your entire day warm as well as fresh.
Siddha Pokhari
Siddha Pokhari is one of the oldest and the largest ponds of Bhaktapur. Locally interpreted as Ta; Pukhu means the big pond, some study says it is a natural pool while some say it is a manmade pond. But, it still has a great name in Bhaktapur. People of almost all ages go there. Besides, it has religious importance too. During the Indra jatra, a jatra associated with Indrayani is done over there where the diyos are lit up all around the pond. The night view of that pond, simultaneously on that day looks immensely beautiful like a night of Tihar. All lighted up and bright.
