For a discerning visitor who is in search of a city that encompasses in it the vistas of antiquity in modernity, Bhaktapur may be the appropriate place for a visit. The city which was ruled by the Malla kings before king Prithivi Narayan Shah from Gorkha brought it under his rule, annexing it to his kingdom of Nepal that was the Nepal itself in a greater form. The city of Bhaktapur is linked to the capital city by a 14 kilometer long six lane highway built by the Japanese.
As one enters the city gate he finds himself in a place that is vividly reminiscent of the past periods when the ruling Malla kings were active in this historical city. Unlike the broad, tarred streets of Kathmandu city that look congested with tall concrete structures standing on both sides, most of the narrow streets and lanes of Bhaktapur city is paved with red bricks lined on both sides with one or two storied old houses that have tiled roofs and latticed wooden windows. The main street, which is also paved with red bricks leads to the Bhaktapur durbar square, and when one reaches there its settings itself take one with an imaginative mind, back to the time of the Malla kings who ruled it during the 17th century.
The municipality area of Bhaktapur city covers an area of about 6.88 kilo metres and its total population is about 225,000. The ancient city of Bhaktapur was founded by the King Ananda Malla in 12th century. The last king that ruled Bhaktapur was Ranjit Malla who was brought under subjugation by king Prithvi Narayan Shah during his unification of Nepal campaign
The ancient city of Bhaktapur is rich in traditional as well as cultural heritage, various historically important sites being listed under the world heritage sites. The city abounds in Hindu, Buddhist temples and buildings dating back to the Malla period. However, some of them that had been damaged or destroyed in the earthquake of 1934 and were restored later.
Listed under UNESCO World heritage of culture Bhaktapur durbar square premises also houses a museum exhibiting contemporary paintings, pictures, various kinds of antiques, idols and other such artifacts some of which are several hundred years old. These things are helpful in shedding light on the life styles of the rulers of that time,besides providing glimpses of the social and cultural conditions of the place in those days.
Bhaktapur is also famous for its potteries, where visitors can observe potters busy turning the potter’s wheels and giving shapes to various kinds of clay pots, children’s toys and other such things with their skillful hands. It is the sole supplier of these things to other cities like Kathmandu, Patan etc. In addition to this, Bhaktapur city also boasts in being the city of ‘juju-dhau’ or yoghurt that has no match in taste and quality when compared to yoghurt prepared in other places. The city supplies the ‘juju-yoghurt’ to various other places in the valley and outside it as well.
The places to see in Bhaktapur include the Durbar square where there is also a very big bell, one of the attractions of the place, that was hung on the palace premises by the last Malla king Ranjit Malla. Other places including the Dattrateya temple and also the ‘Naki-jhya’ or ornately carved window that is considered to be the most beautifully carved wooden window in the country,depicting a peacock with its feathers spread in a dancing posture. There is also the PhasitDega temple from where a visitor can have an all-encompassing view of the wholeBhaktapur city.
Besides this, there is the ‘Nyata-pole’ temple or five storied temple standing tall at the middle of the city, inviting visitors to climb its steps and have a look around, clicking their cameras to capture the view around them.
For the lovers of nature there stands the Nagarkot hill, about 45 minutes’ drive from the main Bhaktapur city. This is actually a summer resort and also a vantage point to take in the nature’s beauty that is visible around for searching eyes. The weather remains cool here during sweltering summer season also and visitors cannot resist the temptation of visiting the place, spending a few days there in the proximity of Mother Nature, and feasting with theireyes thestunning scenery around. Snowcapped mountains on the northern side are visible on a clear, sunny day. There are many tourist lodges, resorts and hotels there that cater to the needs of the visitors all the year round. Local travel agents also conduct regular tours to this place for the foreign visitors.