Bhaktapur
Geography
Bhaktapur, a district located in the Katmandu valley is one of the seventy five-districts of Nepal. The district has been recognized with the name 'Bhaktapur'- the name of the ancient town in the district. Bhaktapur district lies in Bagmati Zone and is a part of Central Development Region of Nepal. Its exact location is in between latitude 27 o 37' - 27 o 44' and longitude 85 o 21' - 85 o 32'. It covers an area of 119 sq. km. Its boundaries in the East are with Kavrepalanchowk district, in the West with Katmandu & Lalitpur districts, in the North with Katmandu district and in the South with Kavrepalanchowk and Latitpur districts. The area covered by this district varies in between 1372 meters to 2166 meters above the sea level. The major rivers flowing through Bhaktapur district are Hanumante, Khasangkhusung, Manohara, Godavari, Durga, Dorkhu, Sisneri and Chankhu.
Climate
Sub-tropical, temperate and cool-temperate climatic conditions influence the weather of Bhaktapur. The temperature here ranges in between average of maximum 23.8 degree celsius and minimum of 11.7 degree celsius. The average rainfall here is 1362.2 ml. Bhaktapur district consists of one municipality and twenty-one village development committees.
Brief history of Bhaktapur
According to the history Ananda Dev Malla searched the location of present Bhaktapur and built the city in the form of Lord Vishnu's Conch Shell in the 12th century. He himself as the king ruled from 1147 to 1156 A.D. To make the city he had 12000 houses built. The city was divided into 24 different localities called "twa" in local Newari language. From Benares goddess Annapurna Devi was beckoned and a palace was built where images of Nava Durgas were installed. To protect the city temples dedicated to eight Asthamatrika were placed at eight geometrical angles. Goddesses Brahmayani, Maheswori, Kumari, Bhadrakali, Barahi, Indrayani, Mahakali and Mahakali comprise Asthamatrika. King Ananda Malla also founded the towns of Banepa, Khadpu, Panauti, Sanga, Dhulikhel, Chaukot, and Nala, seven of them altogether. He went onwards to settle sixty more villages as well. The city of Bhaktapur is believed to be the focal point of royalty then. Capital of the Malla dynasty Bhaktapur was the centralization of culture and religion. The name of the city was initiated as "Bhaktagrama" in 1134 A.D. In Newari the name of the city is "Khopa", which according to the linguist Kamal Malla is acquired from "Khoprn" a Tibeto-Burman term meaning river and field. For definite Bhaktapur abounds with life sustaining rivers and fertile fields. 'Taleju' the patron goddess of the Malla dynasty was brought to Bhaktapur by the King Harishimhadeva. According to the chronicles, King Harishimhadeva of Maitili entered Katmandu valley in exile. He conquered Bhaktapur and installed Taleju, the goddess of his ancestry in the royal palace. Goddess Taleju became the lineage goddess of Malla kings.
Major attractions in Bhaktapur
1. 'Laaku' the Durbar square
"Were there nothing else in Nepal, save the Durbar Square of Bhatgaon (Bhaktapur), it would still be amply worth making a journey halfway around the globe to see."
Powell ‘The Last Home of Mystery, 1929, London"
The delight of Bhaktapur, the Durbar square is located at the center of the city. The artifacts spread around the spacious square date in between 15th to 18th century A. D. The term Durbar itself means palace, hence Durbar square is a term used for the area near the palace. Malla dynasty ruled Bhaktapur from this center from 16th to 18th century A.D. Bhaktapur Durbar square is one of the seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu valley.
2. Taumadhi square
A short walk towards southeast from the Durbar square leads to Taumadhi square. Taumadhi is one of the main heritage areas inside Bhaktapur city.
3. Dattatreya square
Lord Dattatreya is the unique embodiment of the holy trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswor in a single body. The temple of Dattreya is llocated at Dattatreya square, an important heritage site located in the eastern part of Bhaktapur. The temple was built in 1427 A. D. by the king Yaksa Malla but the present structure is from time of the King Vishwa Malla, 1458 A. D. A figure of Lord Dattatreya is placed inside the inner sanctum of the temple. Like the legend of Kasthamandap in Kathmandu the belief is the wood for the temple came from a single tree runk.
4. 'Talako' the pottery square
Pottery, an extraordinary craft of Bhaktapur, still practiced today plays a part of living cultural heritage. At 'Talako' the pottery square the art of pottery is displayed with expertise handed down as family trade from one generation to another for centuries.
The earthen artifacts created on potter's wheel are mostly utensils used for religious, cultural and daily purposes. To make their wares the potters use black clay, a special type of clay dug from the fields around Bhaktapur. The clay mixed with sand and water is molded and placed at the center of the potter's wooden wheel. The potter uses a stick to rotate the wheel to an ideal speed so that he can use his both hands to create his crafts, which are later dried out in sun and ultimately put inside traditional oven to bake them ready for use.
5. "Bihars" The Buddhist courtyards
Religiously Nepal is unique in the sense that Hindus and Buddhists live in Harmony. Although recognized as the only Hindu kingdom Buddhism too has a very strong impact on people here. Newars, the original residents of Kathmandu valley exemplify the synchronization of life style of Hindus and Buddhists.
Bhaktapur renowned for its temples and shrines dedicated to Hindu deities proudly boasts of its Buddhist monuments as well.
6. “ Lho hiti “ the water Spouts
Thirtythree ponds, wells and waterspouts inside the town premises were the means of water supply in the old days. Some of the wells and waterspouts going back to Lichhavi and Malla era still provide water even today.
Majority of the water spouts are carved out of stones and thus regarded as fine works of art interesting to observe from tourist and academic views.
Bhaktapur, a district located in the Katmandu valley is one of the seventy five-districts of Nepal. The district has been recognized with the name 'Bhaktapur'- the name of the ancient town in the district. Bhaktapur district lies in Bagmati Zone and is a part of Central Development Region of Nepal. Its exact location is in between latitude 27 o 37' - 27 o 44' and longitude 85 o 21' - 85 o 32'. It covers an area of 119 sq. km. Its boundaries in the East are with Kavrepalanchowk district, in the West with Katmandu & Lalitpur districts, in the North with Katmandu district and in the South with Kavrepalanchowk and Latitpur districts. The area covered by this district varies in between 1372 meters to 2166 meters above the sea level. The major rivers flowing through Bhaktapur district are Hanumante, Khasangkhusung, Manohara, Godavari, Durga, Dorkhu, Sisneri and Chankhu.
Climate
Sub-tropical, temperate and cool-temperate climatic conditions influence the weather of Bhaktapur. The temperature here ranges in between average of maximum 23.8 degree celsius and minimum of 11.7 degree celsius. The average rainfall here is 1362.2 ml. Bhaktapur district consists of one municipality and twenty-one village development committees.
Brief history of Bhaktapur
According to the history Ananda Dev Malla searched the location of present Bhaktapur and built the city in the form of Lord Vishnu's Conch Shell in the 12th century. He himself as the king ruled from 1147 to 1156 A.D. To make the city he had 12000 houses built. The city was divided into 24 different localities called "twa" in local Newari language. From Benares goddess Annapurna Devi was beckoned and a palace was built where images of Nava Durgas were installed. To protect the city temples dedicated to eight Asthamatrika were placed at eight geometrical angles. Goddesses Brahmayani, Maheswori, Kumari, Bhadrakali, Barahi, Indrayani, Mahakali and Mahakali comprise Asthamatrika. King Ananda Malla also founded the towns of Banepa, Khadpu, Panauti, Sanga, Dhulikhel, Chaukot, and Nala, seven of them altogether. He went onwards to settle sixty more villages as well. The city of Bhaktapur is believed to be the focal point of royalty then. Capital of the Malla dynasty Bhaktapur was the centralization of culture and religion. The name of the city was initiated as "Bhaktagrama" in 1134 A.D. In Newari the name of the city is "Khopa", which according to the linguist Kamal Malla is acquired from "Khoprn" a Tibeto-Burman term meaning river and field. For definite Bhaktapur abounds with life sustaining rivers and fertile fields. 'Taleju' the patron goddess of the Malla dynasty was brought to Bhaktapur by the King Harishimhadeva. According to the chronicles, King Harishimhadeva of Maitili entered Katmandu valley in exile. He conquered Bhaktapur and installed Taleju, the goddess of his ancestry in the royal palace. Goddess Taleju became the lineage goddess of Malla kings.
Major attractions in Bhaktapur
1. 'Laaku' the Durbar square
"Were there nothing else in Nepal, save the Durbar Square of Bhatgaon (Bhaktapur), it would still be amply worth making a journey halfway around the globe to see."
Powell ‘The Last Home of Mystery, 1929, London"
The delight of Bhaktapur, the Durbar square is located at the center of the city. The artifacts spread around the spacious square date in between 15th to 18th century A. D. The term Durbar itself means palace, hence Durbar square is a term used for the area near the palace. Malla dynasty ruled Bhaktapur from this center from 16th to 18th century A.D. Bhaktapur Durbar square is one of the seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu valley.
2. Taumadhi square
A short walk towards southeast from the Durbar square leads to Taumadhi square. Taumadhi is one of the main heritage areas inside Bhaktapur city.
3. Dattatreya square
Lord Dattatreya is the unique embodiment of the holy trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswor in a single body. The temple of Dattreya is llocated at Dattatreya square, an important heritage site located in the eastern part of Bhaktapur. The temple was built in 1427 A. D. by the king Yaksa Malla but the present structure is from time of the King Vishwa Malla, 1458 A. D. A figure of Lord Dattatreya is placed inside the inner sanctum of the temple. Like the legend of Kasthamandap in Kathmandu the belief is the wood for the temple came from a single tree runk.
4. 'Talako' the pottery square
Pottery, an extraordinary craft of Bhaktapur, still practiced today plays a part of living cultural heritage. At 'Talako' the pottery square the art of pottery is displayed with expertise handed down as family trade from one generation to another for centuries.
The earthen artifacts created on potter's wheel are mostly utensils used for religious, cultural and daily purposes. To make their wares the potters use black clay, a special type of clay dug from the fields around Bhaktapur. The clay mixed with sand and water is molded and placed at the center of the potter's wooden wheel. The potter uses a stick to rotate the wheel to an ideal speed so that he can use his both hands to create his crafts, which are later dried out in sun and ultimately put inside traditional oven to bake them ready for use.
5. "Bihars" The Buddhist courtyards
Religiously Nepal is unique in the sense that Hindus and Buddhists live in Harmony. Although recognized as the only Hindu kingdom Buddhism too has a very strong impact on people here. Newars, the original residents of Kathmandu valley exemplify the synchronization of life style of Hindus and Buddhists.
Bhaktapur renowned for its temples and shrines dedicated to Hindu deities proudly boasts of its Buddhist monuments as well.
6. “ Lho hiti “ the water Spouts
Thirtythree ponds, wells and waterspouts inside the town premises were the means of water supply in the old days. Some of the wells and waterspouts going back to Lichhavi and Malla era still provide water even today.
Majority of the water spouts are carved out of stones and thus regarded as fine works of art interesting to observe from tourist and academic views.
