Bhaktapur description

Bhaktapur is a Newari town and one of the 3 ancient kingdoms of Nepal (Kathmandu and Patan being the other two). Bhaktapur includes Siddha Pokhari, a large rectangular water tank built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla (early 1500s). Durbar Square is at the center of everything. It includes pagodas and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The golden effigies of the kings perched on the top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in every place - struts, lintels, uprights, tympanums, gateways and windows all seem to form a well-orchestrated symphony. [Thanks for the language, Wikipedia!] In Durbar Square, one can find:

The Lion Gate (1696 A.D.) As its name implies, the gate is guarded on both sides by two huge statues of lions. In addition, there are two stone images of Bhairab (the dreadful aspect of Shiva) and Ugrachandi (the consort of Shiva in her fearful manifestation).

The Golden Gate (widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and richly moulded specimens of its kind anywhere. The door includes a figure of the goddess Kali and Garuda (mythical man-bird) plus two heavenly nymphs, monsters and other mythical creatures. King Ranjit Malla erected the gate at the entrance to the main courtyard of the palace of fifty-five windows.

The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the reign of King Yaksha Malla in 1427 A.D. The palace contains a balcony of fifty-five windows.

The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship.

The Batsala Temple contains a bronze bell, known locally as "the bell-of barking dogs" because when it is rung, nearby dogs bark and howl. King Ranjit Malla hung the bell in 1737 A.D. and it was then used to sound the daily curfew. Now it is sounded each morning when the goddess Taleju is worshipped.

The Pashupati Temple: This is the one with the erotic carvings on its struts. Sorry guys, no pictures. You’ll have to come to Nepal to see the struts.

Of course, there are many other very interesting sites including the 5-storyed Nyatapola Temple (1702 A.D.),  the Bhairab Nath Temple (the dreadful aspect of Shiva), the Dattatraya Temple (consecrated by King Yakshya Malla in 1427 A.D.), and the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue (at 143 feet, it is the World's tallest Lord Shiva statue).

One of my favorite parts of our experience today was seeing one of the many chariots that are constructed for Nepali new year (Bisket Jatra) which are wheeled around the city. They're huge and a lot of fun! (see pictures below).