Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square represents the pinnacle of medieval Newari architecture and remains the best-preserved ancient city in the Kathmandu Valley. Built in the 13th century by Jayasithi Malla, this former royal palace complex housed the Malla kings of Nepal from the 14th century and later the independent Kingdom of Bhaktapur until 1769.

The town itself is said to have been founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla. Bhaktapur served as the capital of the Greater Malla Kingdom until the 15th century, when it became an independent kingdom lasting until the 18th century. At its peak, the square featured an impressive scale: 99 palace courtyards, 172 temples, and 172 rest houses for pilgrims—of which only 15 courtyards remain today.

The crown jewel is the Nyatapola Temple, Nepal's tallest pagoda. Commissioned by King Bhupatindra Malla, construction lasted just six months from December 1701 to July 1702. The name means "Five Levels" in Newari. On January 4, 1702, Bhupatindra Malla himself inaugurated construction by carrying three bricks on his shoulder to lay on the foundation. Waves of people from surrounding towns came to assist the construction.

The five-story temple is dedicated to Siddhi Lakshmi, a fierce tantric goddess of strength and protection. Each level features guardian statues on the stairway of increasing mythical power. Remarkably, this temple has survived four major earthquakes including the devastating 7.8 magnitude April 2015 earthquake.

Key rulers Jitamitra Malla (1663-1696), Bhupatindra Malla (1696-1722), and Ranjit Malla (1722-1769) contributed significantly to the square's palaces and shrines. The Golden Gate, begun by Bhupatindra and completed by Ranjit Malla in 1754, stands as one of the finest examples of Newari metalwork.