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Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel GuideBhairav Chowk is an empty courtyard that is surrounded by beautiful Newar architecture.
For your orientation, here is the layout of the Bhaktapur Royal Palace:
Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we typically promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.
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Bhairav Chowk is named after Bhairav, the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. The chowk (courtyard) takes its name from the Bhairav Temple that stands at its eastern edge, but which you cannot access.
Bhairav Temple, also known as the Bhairavnath Temple, was originally constructed in the 17th century by King Jagat Jyoti Malla. The temple underwent significant renovations in the early 18th century under King Bhupatindra Malla who expanded the structure into a three-story pagoda-style temple and added a gilded roof adorned with seven golden pinnacles. The temple houses a golden bust of Bhairav, reflecting the deity's importance in local religious practices.
The eastern part of Bhaktapur Royal Palace is well-known as the 'Thanthu Layaku'. King Jitamitra Malla built this palace in the year 1678 but it disappeared in the course of history. He also built a garden in the north along with Siddhi chowk and Sundhara chowk. But within three years of its construction, the great earthquake of 1681 destroyed it. Later, King Jitamitra Malla and his son Bhupatindra Malla collectively restored and reconstructed the ruined properties. At the same time, Bhupatindra Malla built the 55 Window Palace on the south side of Thanthu Royal Palace.
Following the fall of the Malla kingdom, the Thanthu palace could not return to its former glory and most of it was lost. At some point in time, the surviving wing of the palace housed the Bhaktapur Municipality office. The great earthquake in 2015 completely damaged that part of the palace as well.
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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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