Written by: Ayan Basnet - 25019, Grade X
Posted on: 27 January, 2023
Bhaktapur is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are a large number of examples of traditional Newari architecture at Bhaktapur. And, one of those examples is Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a former royal palace complex located in the city of Nepal, Bhaktapur. The term ‘Durbar Square’ along with its name is a generic name translated Royal Square in English which means plazas and areas opposite the old royal palaces in Nepal.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is one of the best areas to visit in Bhaktapur and is a religious and historical site to visit. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nepal which aids the economy of the country. Most people prefer Bhaktapur Durbar Square over other Durbar Squares; Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square. Due to its extensive wood carvings of detailed gods and goddesses and its centuries-old religious temples, Bhaktapur Durbar Square is thought to be the best durbar square among Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square.
From 1201 A. D. to 1779 A. D., the Malla dynasty ruled over the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. Yaksha Malla, one of the Malla Kings, built Bhaktapur Durbar Square in 1427 A. D. And, then roughly 200 years later, towards the middle of the 17th century, King Bhupendra modified it once more. He added several more temples, monuments, and restructured the palace a bit. And for now there are a total of five temples including Dwarka; the temple of Lord Krishna.
There are Malla palaces in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, commonly known as Durbar Squares. Bhaktapur's Durbar Square was once thought to be the biggest and grandest of the three when the kingdom was free, but many of the nearby buildings have been destroyed by repeated earthquakes. The square has lost most of its buildings and courtyards as a result of numerous earthquakes, particularly those in 1833 A. D. and 1934 A. D., and only a tiny portion of the destroyed buildings have been repaired.
Before Bhaktapur was taken over in 1769 A. D. by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the first king of a united Nepal, the Malla rulers of Nepal used to live here from the 14th to the 15th century, as did the kings of Bhaktapur from the 15th to the late 18th century. The final campaign of the Gorkha conquest of Nepal was the battle between Bhaktapur and Gorkha. Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king of Gorkha, successfully won the battle, taking control over the entire Kathmandu Valley and surrounding districts.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square once had 99 courtyards, but only a small portion of them are still standing today because of destruction caused by several earthquakes. Today, the palace operates as a museum, and the temples are being protected as national heritage sites.
Work Cited
“Bhaktapur Durbar Square: The Best Place to Make Your Stories.” Bhaktapur, 19 July 2022, https://www.bhaktapur.com/discover/bhaktapur-durbar-square-an-open-museum/.
Mellor, Annapurna. “Why Bhaktapur Is a Must-see City on Your Nepal Trip.” Intrepid Travel Blog, 30 June 2018, www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/bhaktapur-travel-guide.
“Bhaktapur Durbar Square- Bhaktapur, Nepal.” Hopnepal.com, www.hopnepal.com/blog/bhaktapur-durbar-square-bhaktapur-nepal.
“Bhaktapur Durbar Square | History of Bhaktapur Durbar Square.” Red Carpet Journey: Best Nepal Tours | Tours and Travels | Book Now, 22 Sept. 2022, www.redcarpetjourney.com/trip/bhaktapur-durbar-square.
