Places to Visit in Nepal
Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon)
Situated at an altitude of 1401 meter, Bhaktapur covers an area of 4 square miles. Shaped liked a conch-shell, Bhaktapur means the city of devotees.
Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. The city lies about 14 km east of Kathmandu city and can be reached by public transport and by trolley (electric) buses.
Major Tourist Attractions
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other marvelous architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate, the Batsala temple and the Bell of Barking Dogs. An intriguing part of this square is the fifteen-century Palace of 55 windows. There is an entrance fee of Rs. 30 for SAARC nationals and Rs. 300 for other foreign visitors.
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Nyatpola Temple
King Bhupatindra Malla built this five-storey pagoda in 1702 A.D. It stands in a five-terraced platform. On each of the terraces squats a pair of figures: two famous wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two griffins and Baghini and Singhini (the tiger and the lion) goddesses. This is one of the tallest and is famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.
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Bhairavnath Temple
This temple was first built as a one-storey pagoda but later changed into a three storey temple in 1718 AD by King Bhupatindra Malla. The temple is noted for its artistic grandeur. It is dedicated to Lord Bhairav- the god of Terror.
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Dattatraya Square
The square takes its name from the Dattatreya temple dedicated to a three-headed combination of the Hindu deities Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva. Dattatreya square is a perfect place to experience the feel of the traditional urban layout of Bhaktapur. Set in a maze of streets lined with richly ornamented houses, the square is framed for its many ornate Hindu monasteries known as Math. The National Woodworking Museum is also housed here and the Brass and Bronze Museum is across the street.
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Potter's Square
A two-minute walk south of Durbar Square brings you to Bolachhen, also known as Potter's Square because of the many potters seen here molding wet clay into different kinds of earthenware. It has a display if fresh pottery left out to dry in the open square. This place can be approached from Taumadhi Square also. The elephant-headed Lord Ganesh is the patron of potters, thus the Jeth Ganesh temple in the square.
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Surya Vinayak
Situated in a thick forest to the south of Bhaktapur, the temple of Ganesh is placed in a Sylvan setting to catch the first rays of the rising sun. It is one of Kathmandu's most popular pilgrimage spots. It is also a good picnic spot flanked by many attractive landscapes.
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Thimi
Situated 8 km east of Kathmandu city, Thimi is a farming town with a population of 32,000. Exquisite temples and other religious shrines dot its streets. It is known for its artistic masks and earthen pots, often seen spread out on the streets to dry in the sun. Homespun cotton cloth is another specialty of Thimi.
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The Bronze and Brass Museum
The museum is housed in a fifteenth-century Math opposite the Pujari Math at Tachapl Tol. It has a rich collection of domestic and ceremonial metalwares such as inkpots, spittoons, ordinary and ritual lamps. It opens daily, except Sundays, Mondays and holidays from 9 am to 4 pm.
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