Report Writing:

BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE: THE CITY OF TEMPLES

According to our school calendar we had an educational excursion on 19th Bhadra , 2067 at Bhaktapur Durwar
Square. Bhaktapur city is situated about 1400 meter high above from the sea level. It is about 14 Km East from the capital
city, Kathmandu. Bhaktapur Durwar Square has been considered as one of the most unique midlevel city of Nepal.

b. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
I have prepared the following objectives for the research.
i. Socio-cultural and historic background of Bhaktapur Durbar Square
ii. Importance of Bhaktapur Durbar Square
iii. Present Situation of Bhaktapur Durbar Square (Critical analysis)

c. RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
I have applied both primary and secondary sources of data collection methodologies.

No Direct/ Primary Indirect/ Secondary

1 Observation News papers
2 Interview Articles, journals
3 Questionnaire Books, library
4 Photographs/videos/ recordings internet

• I have carefully observed entire heritage site, surrounding environment, architectures, sculptures, inscriptions etc.
• Collected data from direct sources are also verified with secondary sources.
• The report has been prepared with the close consultation of our guide, the social studies teacher

d. FINDINGS

i. Socio-cultural and historic background of Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square was founded by King Aananda Dev on 889 AD which was gradually developed as a
museum of medieval art, culture and traditions. The complex consists of four distinct squares named Durbar Square,
Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square. This whole area is informally known as the Bhaktapur Durbar
Square. It is a highly visited site in the Kathmandu Valley and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the valley.

Bhaktapur is also known as Bhadgaon (Nepali) and Khwopa (Newari). The royal palace was originally situated at
Dattaraya square in the bigining and was only later moved to the present Durbar Square location.

The Mallas dynasty used to rule Kathmandu valley from Bhaktapur until King Yakshya Malla in 1482, divided
the kingdom between his three sons leading to disunity and fading strength. Later the Shah dynasty from Gorkha (PN
Shah) was able to conquer them one by one.(1825-1826BS). Ranjit Malla was the last king of Bhaktapur. King
Bhupatindra Malla (1696 - 1722 AD) was the most popular king among Malla dynasty.

As Bhaktapur is rich in art and culture, remarkable architecture, the exquisite woodcarvings and metal craft that
can be seen around the Bhaktapur city. The pagoda style temples rise above the Bhaktapur skyline where as Shikhare and
Gum Baja and Stupa models are also matching there beautifullly. Among them, Nge Nyapa Jhya Laaykoo or 55 window
palace (built by King Bhupendra Malla, was not completed until 1754 AD during the reign of his son Ranjit
Malla.),Vatsala Temple(built by King Jitamitra Malla in 1696 A.D/ famous for its silver bell, known to local residents as
"the bell of barking dogs" as when it was rung, dogs in the vicinity barked and howled/demolished by the 2015 Gorkha
earthquake.),Statue of Bhupatindra Malla,Nyatapola Temple(famously known as "Pancha Tale Mandira."),Bhairava Nath
Temple, Lun Dhwākhā (Golden Gate, built by King Ranjit Malla ),Lion's Gate,Mini Pashupati Temple are few popular
examples of Nepales architectures and sculptures in it. Besides these, Erotic elephants temple, Ugrachandi and
Ugrabhairab, Rameshwar Temple (Gum Baja style), Badrinath Temple, Gopi Nath Temple, Kedarnath Temple (Shikara
style), Hanuman Statue are remarkable.
 Similarly, the Pottery Square, the Palace (Durbar) Square which dates back to the 12th century, where devotees
still celebrate their centuries old festivals and the temple squares that still remain vibrant, are Bhaktapur’s major
attractions.The festivals that remain unchanged for centuriesc such as Bisket Jatra,one of the most popular festivals of
Bhaktapur, attracts a large number of foreigneers, internal tourists during Nepali New Year.

The Durbar Square was severely damaged by the earthquake around 8 rechetr scale in 1934(1990BS) and 2015
(2072 BS) (). After the restoration program in the 1970s, the city’s municipality has controlled the construction of new
buildings in order to maintain the brick facade and this process has been continued till today.

a. Importance of the heritage site: The Bhaktapur Durwar Square

I have noted the following importance of heritage, the Bhaktapur Durwar Square.

i. National / International identity/ pride and prestige of Nepal

ii. Supporting to earn foreign currency and revenue as being a significant tourist place.
iii. Supporting to generate employment opportunities (cottage industry such as clay, metal and wood
carvings/ pottor square/ handicrafts, paintings Thanka/ Mandala and many more: , etc)
iv. Centre for research and study about the Midlevel art, culture, tradition as well as civilization
v. Foundation of typical socio-culture life style, religion and tradition etc.

b. Present situation
Although, few measures have been exercised for temple renovation and environmental consciousness but
unfortunately such important and valuable heritage has not been cared /preserved properly. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is
not only the property of Nepal but also the worlds. Unmanaged garbage, transportation, factories and rapid urbanization
process close to the city are making Durbar square quite ugly. Tourists are being teased by the street children and forced
street selling (handicrafts, ornaments etc.) are spreading negative messages. The table below is highlighting the causes
and effects.

No Causes Effects
1 Cultural encroachment and interferences Loss of our identity, pride and prestige
2 Corruption and lack of good governance Loss of the foundation of our great art and
3 Lack of Participation (youth, local people etc while making culture Loss of the sources of foreign currency
decisions of renovation/ preservation/ protection of heritage etc and employment opportunity
4 Poverty and unemployment ( People are busy in 'Hand to mouth' Loss of the source/ evidence of and historic
and no time for heritage promotion civilization
5 Lack of proper heritage education and awareness (write one point by your own)

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In light of above facts and analysis, I found Bhaktapur Durbar Square a very important city in sense of rich in art,
cultural, tradition, history and civilization. It is also equally important for socio-cultural, socio- economic aspects. There is
no doubt Bhaktapur Durbar square is our pride and identity of Nepal but is not in satisfactory condition.
So, I would like to suggest following measures for immediate implementation toward proper protection and
promotion of Bhaktapur Durbar square.

a. Cultural encroachment as well as internal/external interferences should be stopped so that traditional cultural
performance and economic activities could be run smoothly.
b. Corruption must be stopped to enforce heritage regulations effectively for its on time renovation, reconstruction and
promotions.
c. Heritage education and awareness programs should be conducted effectively so that surrounding heritage
environment could be kept as the standard of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
d. Poverty and unemployment should be controlled immediately so that youths and local people could involve
themselves for ideal decision making process toward proper protection and promotion of heritage creatively.
e. NGo/ INGo (s) should participate effectively toward preservation, promotion renovation and reconstruction without
being corrupted.

The End
 Summary for the Objective 'a'.

a. Socio-cultural and historic background of Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the combination of Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square Pottery Square and Durwar
Square itself which was founded by King Aananda Dev on 889 AD. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the
vlley.
Bhaktapur is also known as Bhadgaon (Nepali) and Khwopa (Newari). The royal palace was originally situated at
Dattaraya square in the beginning and was only later moved to the present Durbar Square location.

The Kathmandu Valley used to rule by Mall dynasty from Bhaktapur in the past.The 3 sons of Yakshy Malla
divided it in 3 separate states (Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur -1482 AD). PN Shah from Gorkha had invaded them one
by one (1825/26 BS) in greater Nepal. Ranjit Malla was the last King of Bhaktapur.

Bhaktpur Durwar Square is rich in significant art, culture and traditions. The popular architecture models like
pagoda, shikhara, Gum Baja, Stupas are there. Paintings (Thanka/Mandala and other obstract and modern etc), sculptures
and traditional technologies (potter square/ clay, metal and wood carving etc) together with typical Newari life style are
the major features of Bhaktapur Durwar Square (city).

Among the popular architecture, Nge Nyapa Jhya Laaykoo Durwar or 55 window palace, (by King Bhupendra
Malla), Vatsala Temple(by King Jitamitra Malla,1696 A.D) ,Nyatapola Temple or "Pancha Tale Mandira.", Lun Dhwakha
(Golden Gate, King Ranjit Malla ), Mini Pashupati Temple are major.Besides these, Rameshwar Temple( Gum Baja
style), Kedarnath Temple(Shikara style), Hanuman Statue are also remarkable.

Bisket Jatra, one of the most popular festivals of Bhaktapur, attracts a large number of foreigneers, and internal
tourists during Nepali New Year.

The Durbar Square was severely damaged by the earthquakes 1990 and 2072BS. The municipality has controlled
the construction of new buildings in order to maintain the brick facade and this process has been continued till today.

The End