Bhaktapur - Durbar Square 
Durbar Square
As with the palaces of Kathmandu and Patan, Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is on the list of UNESCO world cultural heritage sites.
The fortress-like palace, standing on the highest point of the plateau, probably dates back to the time of Yaksha Malla. The oldest part of the palace is thought to be Mul Chowk, built in the 14th c. as the abode of the goddess Taleju.
As with the palaces of Kathmandu and Patan, Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is on the list of UNESCO world cultural heritage sites.
The fortress-like palace, standing on the highest point of the plateau, probably dates back to the time of Yaksha Malla. The oldest part of the palace is thought to be Mul Chowk, built in the 14th c. as the abode of the goddess Taleju.
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She, according to legend, was brought to Bhaktapur from Simragaon 100 years earlier, being later rehoused in the new building. The Pashupati Mandir, based on the model of Deopatan (Patan), is also attributed to Yaksha Malla. The palace precinct was further extended during the time of Jagati Jyoti Malla (1613-37), as was Taumadhi Tole. The large Narayana Pagoda dates from the reign of Jitamitra Malla (1673-96).
Building reached a peak under Jitamitra Malla's successor Bhupatindra Malla (1696-1722) who enthusiastically undertook the filling in of the great gaps left by an earthquake in 1663. The Palace of the 55 Windows, Bhairava Chowk and Nagh Pokhari, the royal baths, were all built at this time. Under Bhupatindra the Durbar Square-Taumadhi Tole-Chupin Ghat area was enormously enhanced, providing a magnificent backcloth for the Bisket Jatra Festival.
The Golden Gate (Sundhoka), Bhupatindra's Column and the Taleju Bell were all constructed by Bhupatindra's successor Ranjit Malla. The courtyard dedicated to the child-goddess Kumari was built by Jitamitra Malla and the two wings on the west side adjacent to the Golden Gate by Jagati Jyoti Malla. The western section of the palace dates from the reign of the Shahs. Although today only parts of the palace remain, the splendor of the Malla period is still evident, particularly in the perfection of the detail.
Building reached a peak under Jitamitra Malla's successor Bhupatindra Malla (1696-1722) who enthusiastically undertook the filling in of the great gaps left by an earthquake in 1663. The Palace of the 55 Windows, Bhairava Chowk and Nagh Pokhari, the royal baths, were all built at this time. Under Bhupatindra the Durbar Square-Taumadhi Tole-Chupin Ghat area was enormously enhanced, providing a magnificent backcloth for the Bisket Jatra Festival.
The Golden Gate (Sundhoka), Bhupatindra's Column and the Taleju Bell were all constructed by Bhupatindra's successor Ranjit Malla. The courtyard dedicated to the child-goddess Kumari was built by Jitamitra Malla and the two wings on the west side adjacent to the Golden Gate by Jagati Jyoti Malla. The western section of the palace dates from the reign of the Shahs. Although today only parts of the palace remain, the splendor of the Malla period is still evident, particularly in the perfection of the detail.
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Bansi Narayan Mandir
Of the group of temples on the west side of the square, dedicated to four major places of Hindu pilgrimage, Bansi Narayan Mandir is the most noteworthy. The two-storied pagoda at the entrance to Durbar Square boasts fine wood-carvings on the doors, windows and roof struts. Most are portrayals of Vishnu in his many incarnations. An inscription refers to the introduction of the Guthi system in 1757 by Ranjit Malla.
Durga Mandir
Beyond Bansi Narayan Mandir, the smaller shikhara-style Durga Mandir is interesting for its unusual combination of brick, terracotta, stone and wood. Elaborately carved stone columns embellish each of the temple's four entrances while above the portico rises a shrine-like pavilion.
Fasi Dega Mandir
The white Fasi Dega Mandir can hardly avoid appearing puny, being totally out of proportion to the massive stepped platform on which it was erected following the destruction in 1934. The huge base, with its five tiers and stairway guarded by three differing pairs of animals, conveys some idea of the monumental scale of the original.
Palace of the 55 Windows
To the right of the Golden Gate stands the three-storied Palace of the 55 Windows, built in 1697 by Bhupatindra Malla. Exquisite wood carving embellishes the doors and windows on the lower floors. In the upper story is the hall, originally with 55 arched windows, from which the palace takes its name. Bhupatindra had a glass pane from India set in one of the windows, causing much wonderment at the time. The wing was completely rebuilt after the 1934 earthquake and only 53 of the 55 windows remain.
Siddhilakshmi Shikhara
Closing the vista on the east side of Durbar Square, and separating it from the open space beyond, is the late 17th c. Siddhilakshmi Bhagwati Temple, another shikhara. The steeply stepped platform once boasted a substantial "guard" of horses, hippopotamuses, lions and camels as well as a pair of human figures dressed in the fashion of the day. A stone relief in front of the shrine depicts the mother deities.
Taleju Bell
The Taleju Bell, seen next to Bhupatindra Malla's Column, dates from the reign of Jaya Ranajit Malla. He commissioned it in 1737 as a mark of his veneration for the goddess.
