Bhaktapur,Nepal
All fantasy loving people must love to see some epic movies, read some epic novels or story. Just imagine, if a small ancient town can take you in the same state of mind, which you get from those movies and books! Just imagine, if you stand upon the road of an ancient town, which pushes you to step back before few hundred years! You might be thinking I am telling you some bedtime fairytale, but I am not. Yes, my travel friends it’s the pure truth about the fantasy epic town “Bhaktapur”. This former capital of “Nepal” gives the feeling of prehistoric times given the ambiance of traditional homes, lifestyles and environment. This splendid capital of “Malla Kingdom” is not only a wonder town of the world, but also a storyteller town of ancient “Nepal”. This town is listed as a “World Heritage Site” by “UNESCO” for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork. This is supported by the restoration and preservation efforts of German-funded “Bhaktapur Development Project (BDP)”.
“Bhaktapur”, also “Bhadgaon” or “Khwopa”, is an ancient “Newar” town in the east corner of the “Kathmandu Valley, Nepal”, about eight miles from the capital city, “Kathmandu”. It is located in “Bhaktapur District” in the “Bagmati Zone”. “Bhaktapur” was the largest of the three “Newar” kingdoms of the “Kathmandu Valley”, and was the capital of “Nepal” during the great “Malla Kingdom” until the second half of the 15th century. The conch shaped historic city is spreading over just an area of 6.88 square kilometer at 1,401 meter altitude. The city was founded in 12th century by “King Anand Dev Malla”. Today it is the third largest city in the “Kathmandu Valley”, with a population of about 300,000, of which the vast majorities are still “Newars”. Historically more isolated than the other two kingdoms, “Kathmandu and Patan”, “Bhaktapur” has a distinctly different form of the “Nepal Bhasa” language. “Khwopring” is the ancient name of “Bhaktapur”. The term “Bhaktapur” refers to “The City Of Devotees”. From time immemorial it lay on the trade route between “Tibet” and “India”. This position on the main caravan route made the town rich and prosperous. “Bhaktapur” has been heavily restored since a 1934 earthquake severely damaged the city. In this old town, there are many epic things are present as the subjects of fairytale. While you are here you must complete the list of those must see things. “Bhaktapur Durbar Square” is the main center of attraction. Lots of tourists get lost a in a different world when they start exploring this square. This square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the valley as it highlights the ancient arts of “Nepal”. The Lion Gate, Lu-Dhowka (The Golden Gate),The Palace of Fifty-five Windows, The Picture Gallery, The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, Batsala Temple, The Pashupati Temple, are the main subjects in this square. Apart from the “Durbar Square”, there are other few things which make the same importance in a traveler’s mind. Temples like Nyatapola Temple, BhairabNath Temple, Dattatraya Temple, Changu Narayanare really epic exotic factors in a traveler’s diary. There is another bonus thing to see in this old town, which is the world famous Kailashnath Mahadev Statue. Being the World’s Tallest “Lord Shiva” statue, Kailashnath Mahadev Statue obtains a height of 143 feet. This statue stands on the 32nd position in the list of all statues by height in the whole world. It has been made of copper, cement, zinc, and steel.
After the earthquake happened, the town was badly damaged. To further restoration and preservation there is an entrance fee for visitors. In December 2011 this was either 1100 NRS or USD $13 for foreigners. Visitors from SAARC member countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and China pay 100 NRS. You get several buses or taxi from “Kathmandu” to get in “Bhaktapur”. Cheap packages and air tickets for “Nepal” are available from “Darjeeling” in “India”. As a onetime visitor you can collect various unique things from this town. “Bhaktapur” is all about pottery, so the things are related to it are available all around the town. “Nytapola Crafts”, which is a completely unique product of this town, provides you a various range of hand carved windows, doors, masks, mirror, frames, furniture, statues, boxes, wooden toys etc.
As a few times visitor of “Nepal”, I understood “Bhaktapur” is not just a wonder town. It should be in every traveler’s “Bucket List”, who wants to see the real country, real culture and real history.
