There is a Ranipokhari in Bhaktapur. Most people might have had no idea about this historic pond’s existence before the issue of its reconstruction. The mighty pond is said to be 40 years older than the Ranipokhari of Kathmandu. That’s why the Ranipokhari of Kathmandu used to be called “Nhu Pukhu “ which means the New pond. However, this Ranipokhari of Bhaktapur is not as big as Kathmandu’s.
As per the historian Dr Purushottam Lochan Shrestha, the Ranipokhari of Bhaktapur was ordered to be built by King Jagat Jyoti Malla, one of the greatest kings of Bhaktapur. It is assumed that he ordered the building of the pond in remembrance of his wife, Queen Rajlaxmi.
The found inscriptions state that it was built in 1687B.S.(1630 A.D, 750N.S.) within a timeframe of 5 months only. Later, it was renovated by King Jitmitra Malla in 1735. During the renovation, several statues of gods and goddesses were believed to be installed there. However, there are no signs of those artefacts in the current Ranipokhari.
Unfolding history somehow reveals the facts that the pond was severally destroyed during the invasions of Kantipur and Lalitpur in Bhaktapur. Also, the artefacts appeared to be stolen during that time.
It is said that there used to be a snake statue in the middle of the pond. As per some folklore, there stood the head of the “BasukiNaag” in this pond. Likewise, the body and the tails in the Shiddhapokhari and Na pukhu respectively.
(These three ponds Ranipokhari, Shiddhapokhari and Na: Pukhu (Guhyepokhari) are considered sisters ponds.)
Besides the historical importance, it has another reason to be an important place to the Bhaktapurians. The Prajapati, Awal, Jochhen, Maharjan, Bhujitu, Rajlawat people of Bhaktapur do their digu puja at the premises of Ranipokhari. Moreover, they certainly perform the Ihi as well as the Bartabanda ceremony over there.
On the southern part of Ranipokhari, there is a “Sattal” which had great use in the past. It is said that when Bhaktapur used to welcome Harishiddhi Naach and Naradevi Naach that used to be held once in 12 years, the dancers, as well as their team, used to rest in that Sattal before entering the Bhaktapur Nagar.
Similarly, during Biska Jatra, a khadga used to come from Hanuman Dhoka Durbar which was also used to first settle down at the same sattal before entering Bhaktapur.
Ranipokhari now is open to the public as well.
(It was actually closed for the public since 2040 B.S. The land was used for army training and was under the control of the current Sainik Awasiya Vidhyalaya.)
The Ranipokhari of Bhaktapur is located beside the Sainik Aawasiya Mahavidhyala, Bhaktapur.
As per the historian Dr Purushottam Lochan Shrestha, the Ranipokhari of Bhaktapur was ordered to be built by King Jagat Jyoti Malla. He was one of the greatest kings of Bhaktapur.
The Ranipokhari of Bhaktapur is also known as Nhyu Pukhu since it was once known as Nhyu Pukhu, which means the newly constructed pond at the time it was erected.
There is, indeed. According to King Jagat Jyoti Malla’s inscription, the Ranipokhari of Bhaktapur was named Puskarini.
The Ranipokhari of Bhaktapur is a sacred site for the Prajapati clan since it houses their lineage deity (Digu dyo/ Dugu dyo).
The Ranipokhari of Bhaktapur was built in N.S.750 ( 1687 B.S.).
Ranipokhari is in the western part of Sainik Awasiya Mahavidhyala. So, all you have to do to get there is walk either to the east (from Salaghari) or to the west (from Siddhapokhari). After a few minutes of walking, you will observe the recently renovated Ranipokhari walls and gate on the northern edge of the road.
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