importance of bhaktpur

Bhaktapur, the “Ancient city of Asia” was previously known as “Bhatgaon”. “Bhat” means rice and “gaon” means village. Since the occupation of the natives were agriculture and rice was cultivated in a large percentage the place was so called as Bhatgaon. These days Bhatgaon has been replaced by Bhaktapur which literally means the “city of devotees”. “Bhakta” means devotee and “pur” means place or city. Bhaktapur is shaped like a “conch-shell” and is surrounded all over by Hanumanthe River. It is a small city within an area of 6.88 sq. km which lies 14 km east of Kathmandu. It is the linking city between Kathmandu and Nagarkot and Kathmandu and Changu Narayan. One can enter the city through many places. The main entrance is from the gate located near the parking area of the city. At the entrance, there are ancient water spouts and shelters which were originally designed for the traders in ancient days. On the way to the main city, there is a small temple built in a Fig tree. Fig is a rare tree which is not found in every part of the world. The specialty of this tree is it never dies, but these days they are being less in numbers. So it’s a good thing that one can still see these rare trees in Nepal and inside the Kathmandu Valley Itself.

Bhaktapur was founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Dev Malla and was designed in a form of a courtyard. The city was surrounded with tall walls so it is also called as “Walled city”. The basic purpose of building up walls was to protect the citizens and the city from enemies and intruders. When the city was planned, it was designed in a religious way. Eight Mother Goddesses - Asta Matrika were installed on eight geometrical corners of the city for the divine protection.

Bhaktapur is renowned for its unique traditions, colorful culture, fabulous festivals, stupendous arts and architecture and typical Newari lifestyle. Despite of continual invasions and natural calamity of 1934, Bhaktapur is still rich in arts on account of its majestic temples, monasteries and alluring palaces. The major population inside the city is of Newar community and a very less inhabited by the Bahun, Chettris and Shudra. The typical occupation of the people are Pottery making, weaving and farming which are still practiced in the same old manner passed through the generations since medieval eras.

The major attraction of Bhaktapur is the

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

. It is an incredible and beautiful example of Nepali craftsmanship. The main entrance to the

Durbar Square

is from the Lion Gate, which was built during the reign of King Bhuptindra Malla. The precincts of the

Durbar Square

is more spacious and less crowded with temples. Once the precincts of the square were massed with numbers of temples, but the great earthquake of 1934 destroyed most of the temples, monuments and even the 99courtyards of the Royal Palace. Near the Lion Gate, there are marvelous temples of Lord Rameshwor, Lord Badrinath, Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. The major attractions of the square are the Royal Palace, the Palace with 55 windows and the Golden Gate carved with the images of Goddess Durga. These artifacts are the incredible examples of ancient architecture. Infront of the palace with 55 windows and the Golden gate, there is a statue of King Bhuptindra Malla in the act of worshipping, which is mounted on a stone pillar.