Private full day Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar square sightseeing from Kathmandu
At 10 am: Your expert guide picks you up from Hotel Lobby and drive around 45 minutes to reach Bhaktapur. Upon arrival start sightseeing these spots:
55 window palace
The Palace of Fifty-five Windows , Prachalit: was built during the reign of the Malla King Bhupatindra Malla who ruled from 1696 to 1722 AD and was not complete until 1754 AD during the reign of his son Ranjit Malla.
Vatsala Temple
Vatsala Temple was a stone temple dedicated to goddess Vatsala Devi that included many carvings. It was most 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. The colossal bell was hung by King Ranjit Malla in 1737 AD and was used to sound the daily curfew. It was rung every morning when goddess Taleju was worshiped. Despite the Temple being completely demolished by the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, the bell remains intact.
Statue of Bhupatindra Malla
The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship can be seen on a column facing the palace. Of the square's many statues, this is considered to be the most magnificent.
Nyatapola Temple
Nyatapola in Newari language means five stories - the symbolic of five basic elements. This is the biggest and highest pagoda of Nepal ever built with such architectural perfection and artistic beauty. The temple's foundation is said to be made wider than its base. The temple is open for the public once a year - during Dashain. The goddess who owes the temple is Goddess Shiddhilaxmi. And as bodyguards, those statues are built, which we can see in five layers of the base of temple. It is said that it took three generations to complete that temple. The temple is famously known as pancha tale mandira.
Bhairava Nath Temple
The Bhairab Nath Temple is dedicated to Bhairava, the fiercest manifestation of Lord Shiva.
The world famous Golden gate of Bhaktapur
The Golden Gate is said to be the most beautiful and richly molded specimen of its kind in the entire world. The door is surmounted by a figure of the Hindu goddess Kali and Garuda (mythical griffin) and attended by two heavenly nymphs. It is embellished with monsters and other Hindu mythical creatures of marvelous intricacy. Percy Brown, an eminent English art critic and historian, described the Golden Gate as "the most lovely piece of art in the whole Kingdom; it is placed like a jewel, flashing innumerable facets in the handsome setting of its surroundings." The gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla and is the entrance to the main courtyard of the palace of fifty-five windows.
Lions Gate
The magnificent and beautiful gate was built by artisans whose hands were said to have been severed upon completion by the envious Bhadgoun king so that no more of such masterpieces could be reproduced.
Mini Pashupatinath Temple
The holy god Shiva temple, the mini Pashupati, is believed to be built right in front of the palace after a Bhadgoan king dreamed of it.
Then drive to Patan Durbar square which takes around 45 minutes. Upon arrival start sightseeing these spots:
Patan Durbar Square:
The palace square and residence of the Malla rulers of Patan state which now houses a museum.
Hiranyabarna Mahavihara:
A Buddhist temple known locally as Golden Temple.
Krishna Mandir:
One of the most beautiful stone temples of Nepal built by King Siddhinarsingh Malla in the 16th century.
Your day trip ends here as your guide drops you up at your hotel at around 5:30 pm.
