Dattatreya Square | Bhaktapur

Information

Landmark: Dattatreya Square
City: Bhaktapur
Country: Nepal
Continent: Asia

Dattatreya Square, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia

Dattatreya Square is an ancient urban clearing located in the Tachapal Tole area of Bhaktapur, Nepal. It serves as one of the oldest residential and religious hubs in the Kathmandu Valley, predating the more prominent Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Visual Characteristics

The square is paved with traditional fired red bricks and surrounded by tiered brick-and-timber Newari buildings. The dominant feature is the Dattatreya Temple, a three-story pagoda constructed from the trunk of a single tree, featuring intricate wood carvings of Hindu deities. Surrounding structures exhibit the distinctive dark-stained Sal wood window frames known as "Luni Jhya" against red terracotta walls.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is situated in the eastern portion of Bhaktapur, approximately 15km from central Kathmandu. It is accessible via the Araniko Highway followed by a 1km walk through the pedestrian-only zones of the old city. Public buses from Ratna Park in Kathmandu stop at the Bhaktapur Kamalbinayak station, located 0.5km North of the square.

Historical & Ecological Origin

King Yaksha Malla commissioned the primary temple in 1427 AD, with subsequent renovations by King Vishwa Malla in 1458 AD. The square was originally designed as a rest house for pilgrims and a center for the Dattatreya sect, combining the attributes of the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Key Highlights & Activities

Observing the woodcarving process at the Woodcarving Museum and Brass and Bronze Museum is the primary activity. Photography of the Peacock Window, a 15th-century masterpiece of Newari carving, is permitted from the street level. Ritual worship occurs daily at dawn and dusk within the Dattatreya Temple.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Public toilets are available near the Bhimsen Temple on the square’s western edge. 4G and 5G cellular signals from Ncell and Nepal Telecom are stable throughout the area. Small local tea shops and handicraft vendors border the square, providing shaded seating under temple eaves.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for photography is early morning (07:00–09:00) to capture the soft light hitting the temple facades without heavy pedestrian traffic. The months of October and November offer the clearest visibility and coincide with major local festivals.

Facts & Legends

Local lore states that the Dattatreya Temple was built using the timber from a single massive tree. A verified architectural detail is the Peacock Window, which is carved from a single piece of wood and served as the inspiration for Newari woodcraft across the entire valley.