Bhaktapur Tourism Sites | Best Places to Visit in Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur Tourism Sites | Best Places to Visit in Bhaktapur

Nagarkot 

One of Nepal’s most favored tourist destinations- is some 17 km to the Northeast, from where one can savor the breathtaking 360-degree views all around including the thrilling Himalayan panorama to the north. In a clear day, visitors can also have a mesmerizing glimpse of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest 8850), the highest point on earth and a World Heritage Site from here. 

The Madhyapur 

Thimi area apart of Bhaktapur District – is another destination that travelers just should not miss during their stay in Bhaktapur. Located six km to the west of Bhaktapur, this part of the district is well acclaimed throughout the world for its pottery, papier-mâché masks, vegetable-growing green areas, and above all. The authentic Newar art, culture and creativity pursued the local people. 

Suryabinayak 

The text place that easily beckons to travelers to its bosom is Suryabinayak. Situated off the Arniko highway to the south of Bhaktapur, the place offers captivating views of Bhaktapur, the lush green Mahabharat belt surrounding the valley, and all above them, the majestic Himalayan massif. The area has a shrine dedicated to the elephant-headed Lord Vinayak (Ganesh), who is believed to get the first rays of Surya (Sun) every day; hence the name of the place is Surya Vinayak. The shrine and its green surrounding area are popular places where crowds of picnickers and devotees can be seen especially on Tuesday and Saturday. Many of the Hindus even from faraway places flock the place to get their religious and social rituals (marriage, for example) solemnized here. 

Nala 

A part of the neighbouring Kabhre district, is equally popular among foreigners and the Nepalese alike. Located some seven km to the east of Bhaktapur, the area is praised for its unspoilt Newar settlements, their culture and the ornate shrines of Goddess Bhagavati, the symbol of supreme female force, and Karunamaya, the God of Compassion. 

Changu Narayan 

Listed in the world cultural heritage, it is also a scenic spot situated at the altitude of about 1700m and 4km to the north of Bhaktapur. The Changu Narayan Temple is believed to be the oldest of all the temples of the Bhaktapur district. It was built by King Hari Datta Verma in 323 AD and the most authentic inscription located in the precinct of Changu Narayan is dated 464 AD and is accredited to the Lichhavi king Mandeva. 

National Art Gallery 

The oldest of the three, National Art Gallery at the Durbar Square is best known for its rich collection of Newari scroll Paubha paintings. Its also exhibits many masterpieces in stone, metal and paper that include an ancient book on various breeds of horses and remedies for their ailments. The book which contains many illustrations, folds out to over three meters. Another attraction here is an ancient Paubha painting that shows Lord Indra, king of all gods and goddesses, infested with female genital organs all over his body, which he got as a punishment for seducing the wife of a learned saint. The stone image of Harihar here is no less mesmerizing. Once presiding over the colossal La-pan-dega, which was razed to grounds by the 1934-earthquake, the image depicts the two of Hinduism’s supreme Lords, Vishnu and Shiva, in their combined form as Harihar. 

The woodcarving Museum 

Bhaktapur’s two other museums are located at the Dattatreya Square, the old seat of royalty when Bhaktapur was the heart of the Greater Malla kingdom from the 12th to 15th century. The woodcarving Museum is housed in the 15th century Pujari Math, a priestly palace which itself is no less impressive than an open museum. With its intricately carve wooden windows and doors, the building still stands witness to the artistic excellence of Newars over five centuries ago. And it is on the eastern façade of this structure where one can find the world famous Peacock Window. This museum exhibits various wooden objects dating back to Lichhavi (400-1200) and Malla (1200-1769) periods. 

Brass and Bronze Museum 

The Brass and Bronze Museum, housed in the historic Chikanpa Math opposite Pujari Math, displays a wide variety of metal objects. Housed in an equally historic Math, the museum exhibits such ceremonial and household its as Kalash (ritual water vessel), Sukunda, twa-deva and yekha-dalu (varieties of traditional oil-fed lamps), ordinary water and jars, utensils, spittoons and so on.