Nyatapola Temple | Bhaktapur

The Nyatapola Temple is a five-story Hindu temple located in Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur. It is the tallest temple in Nepal, standing at approximately 33 meters (108.26 feet). Built in 1702 CE by King Bhupatindra Malla, it is a masterwork of Newari architecture and one of only two five-story pagoda temples in the Kathmandu Valley (the other being Kumbheshwor in Patan).

Architecture & Engineering

Height & Foundation: The temple is set on a massive five-tier stone plinth, which provides a high center of gravity and serves as a major factor in its earthquake resilience. It famously survived the 1934 and 2015 earthquakes with minimal structural damage.

The Guardians: A central stone stairway is flanked by five pairs of massive statues, each tier said to be ten times stronger than the one below it:

Bottom Tier: The wrestlers Jayamel and Phattu, famous for having the strength of ten men.

Second Tier: Two elephants.

Third Tier: Two lions.

Fourth Tier: Two griffins.

Fifth Tier: The goddesses Baghini (Tigress) and Singhini (Lioness).

Roof Struts: The 108 wooden struts supporting the roofs are intricately carved with the 108 forms of the Goddess Siddhi Lakshmi and other deities.

Religious Significance

Deity: The temple is dedicated to Siddhi Lakshmi, a fierce Tantric manifestation of the Goddess Durga.

The Secret Shrine: The inner sanctum is strictly closed to the public; only the temple priests (Karmacharyas) are permitted to enter. The statue of the goddess is said to be nine feet tall and made of black stone.

Mythological Origin: Legend states King Bhupatindra Malla built this temple to appease the wrath of the god Bhairava, whose temple stands nearby in the same square. By installing a more powerful deity (Siddhi Lakshmi) in a taller temple, the King successfully pacified Bhairava.

Historical Records

The Nyatapola is one of the few ancient structures in Nepal with a documented construction log. The Siddhagni Kotyahuti Devala Pratistha manuscript details that the entire structure was completed in just six months (December 1701 – July 1702), involving over 1.1 million bricks.

Logistics for Visitors

Location: Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur (approx. 200m south of the 55-Window Palace).

Access: The steps are open to tourists, offering an elevated panoramic view of the square and the surrounding city.

Photography: Permitted on the plinths and exterior; the interior shrine is strictly forbidden.

Best Time: Early morning for the quietest experience; late afternoon for the sun to hit the golden pinnacle (Gajur).

Nearby Landmarks

Bhairavnath Temple: Directly East (the massive rectangular temple).

Til Madhav Narayan Temple: Located in the southwest corner of the square.

Pottery Square: 0.3km Southwest.

55-Window Palace: 0.2km North.