Bhaktapur Durbar Square is locally known by the name of khwopa Lyaku. It is one of the three durbar squares of the valley. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the current town of Bhaktapur, which lies 13 km east of Kathmandu. The complex consists of four squares i.e Pottery square, taumadhi square, Dattatreya square, and Durbar square. In sum, the square is one of the most visited squares in Kathmandu Valley.

Major Attractions:

Vatsala Temple: 

This temple is the first attraction of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It is situated in front of the palace & beside the king’s statue next to the Taleju bell. This temple is constructed in shikhara-styled architectural design and seems similar to the Krishna temple of Patan Durbar Square. This temple is devoted to the Vatsala Devi goddess (an incarnation of goddess Durga). This temple was constructed in 1969 AD by the Malla dynasty ruler Jitmitra Malla and later reconstructed by King Bhupatindra Malla between the 17th to early 18th centuries.

This temple is famous for its Silverbell. When the silver bell (aka known as the bell of barking dogs.) rings, dogs in the vicinity bark and howl. This colossal bell was hung by the Malla king Ranjit Malla in 1937 AD and was used to sound for the daily curfew. The time for ringing the bell was early in the morning after worship of Taleju temple.

Mini-Pashupatinath Temple:

The mini Pashupatinath is believed to built-in front of the palace after the Bhadgaun king dreamed of it. This temple is devoted to the holy god Shiva.

55 Jhyale Durbar (55 window palace/Nge Nyapa Jhya Laaykoo):

This temple was built by the initiation of Malla king Bhupatindra Malla and completed in the reign of his son  Ranjit Malla.

Siddhi Lakshmi Temple:

This temple is dedicated to the tantric goddess Siddhi Lakshmi and was built in the 17th century. The temple is found in shikhara architectural style. In front of the temple the statues of various wildlife, domestic and mythical creatures are found and the statures are in the position of guarding the entrance.

Nyatpola Temple:

In the local Newari language Nyatpola means five stories- the symbol of five basic elements. This is the highest and biggest pagoda architectural monument in Nepal ever built with such perfection and artistic beauty. It is said that the foundation of the temple is wider than its base. The temple is devoted to the goddess Shiddha Lachhimi. The huge statues lying on the side of the staircase are the guardians of the temple. It is said that the construction of this temple takes three generations.

Other famous temples in Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

• Bhairavnath Temple
• Erotioc Elephant Temple
• Badrinath Temple
• Gopinath Temple
• Kedarnath Temple
• Hanuman statue
• Taduchhen Bahal

Entrance Fees of Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

Best time to visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

You can visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square except for national holiday, Saturday, and the festival day.