Nyatapola is a five-storeyed ancient temple that makes each Bhaktapurians feel so proud. People may have very little knowledge about Bhaktapur city. But, within that tatter of knowledge, they put a page where the mysterious stories of Nyatapola always breathe.
Nyatapola is like an ambiguous subject, which has, of course, mystery, religious beliefs, and facts. Plus, this might be the only monument that has more historical evidence than any other monuments do.
But still, it became a baffling puzzle when it comes to explaining its accessories.
Yes, no one knows why there are 4 Ganesha, 5 tiers, 5 plinths, 33 steps, 108 struts, and 360 battens used in the temple. Whereas, all these numbers have a significant role in tantrism. Besides, it dubiously shows the tantric influence of that time.
This temple is staunch to the goddess Siddhi Laxmi. But most people have no idea about how she looks like. Only the priest who got the chance to enter the temple knows about her appearance.
However, the shreds of evidence say that she certainly has an extreme face. That black-shaded statue of her has 9 heads and 18 hands. Foremost, she is said to be accompanied by the Masan Bhairava and Mahakal Bhairava. The statue was all set as per the extreme tantric procession.
Perhaps, that’s why she is not available for common people. But, one can admire the image carved on the struts of the temple as less brutal incarnations of the idle deity.
Photo credit: Prof. Mortel on Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-SA
Nonetheless, the doors of the temple are opened for the priest during Dashain and Pancha prachar puja. Besides, a Nitya puja and Aarati is done for the temple by a priest of a Karmacharya caste from Taleju.
Wait, the non-opening doors here, don’t make sense on that, that it is a restricted area. Rather than that, it is an open temple that is open twenty-four hours a day.
You can go there whenever you want. You can have a sit on its pedestals, click photographs, take a circumrotation of its, and have a decent view of the Bhaktapur from the top plinth of its.
Photo credit: David Pirmann on Visual Hunt / CC BY
Alike the five stories, it also has five plinths. Of which, each plinth has a pair of guardians, ten times stronger than the ones underneath it.
The first guardians are called Jai and Pratap, who are believed as two powerful wrestlers of that era.
Supposedly, they are regarded as essentially ten times stronger than any common man.
Above them, there is a placement of a pair of an elephant, lions, Griffins, and the minor deities named Simhini and Vyagini.
Nyatapola, on one hand, is the most beautiful fabrication of King Bhupatindra Malla. He erected it in 1702 A.D. And fortunately, it still stands in front of us welcoming us to sit on its pedestals.
That, despite getting through the worst earthquakes of 1934 and 2015 AD. Besides that, it still matters as the pride of Bhaktapur.
Whence, this temple deniably sounds like a marvelous monument.
Nepal is such a place where the possibility of occurring earthquakes is so high. That Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, thus is counted among those top 10 cities of the world which have a high risk of damage via earthquake.
On that occurrence, the erection, plus the survival of Nyatapola through all these years, make everyone astonish. Well, there are no records found before the earthquake of 1835 A.D (1891 B.S.). But there is a series of afterward occurrences that are illustrated below.
Considering the minor damages of the newest quake, the Bhaktapur Municipality did consider renovating it. Along with the other historical sites. The renovation of Nyatapola was completed with half of its estimated budget.
Nonetheless, that became possible through the support of the residents of Bhaktapur. Therefore, the Nyatapola is now completely restored. In the year, 2020 A.D.
No, it isn’t. The Nyatapola temple lies in Taumadhi Square which is only a minute far from Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Yes, you can click the images of the temple.
No, you can’t. Even the local residents are not allowed to enter the temple.
It would be a pleasure to sneak around Taumadhi Square. It doesn’t matter when you will visit there. It feels always fascinating whenever you step up onto its stairs.
From architectural matter, yes, it is the tallest temple in entire Nepal, not only in Bhaktapur which is made in typical Nepalese roofing style.
You could choose a local bus or hire a private vehicle to reach over there.
You can catch a local bus from Ratna Park or from Bagbazaar if you are staying at Thamel, which directly goes to Bhaktapur. But you need to catch the bus that has a route via shiddhapokhari.
Yes, there are restaurants and cafes on-site, convenient for all kinds of visitors.
Yes, it is. Even a single woman could travel here alone.
While being in Bhaktapur, you must mind few things like taking out of your shoes while entering the temple and other religious sites. Likewise, you might not be allowed to click pictures of some specific events or places. You should consider these things.
As we informed you earlier it is all safe for solo traveling which means you can travel without a guide. But we also recommend you to have a certified guide who would help you to understand the authentic Bhaktapur and the stories carved all over the monuments.
Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur Municipality, Bhaktapur District, Nepal.
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