Woodcarving Museum | Bhaktapur

Information

Landmark: Woodcarving Museum
City: Bhaktapur
Country: Nepal
Continent: Asia

Woodcarving Museum, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia

Woodcarving Museum (Pujari Math) is a specialized museum housed in one of the oldest and most ornate priest houses in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a 15th-century Math (priest house) defined by its masterful dark wood carvings. It is famous for the Peacock Window, widely considered the finest example of woodcarving in the Kathmandu Valley. The interior features low ceilings, steep wooden ladders, and small, atmospheric rooms surrounding a central courtyard.

Location & Access Logistics

Located in Dattatreya Square (Tachapal Tole), Bhaktapur.

Transit: 10-minute walk east from Bhaktapur Durbar Square through the old city.

Access: Entry is included with the National Art Museum ticket.

Admission: Present the combined museum ticket purchased at Durbar Square.

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Winter: until 4:00 PM). Closed on Saturdays.

Historical Origin

The building was originally constructed in the 15th century during the reign of King Yaksha Malla as a residence for Hindu priests. It was meticulously restored in the 1970s as a gift from the West German government for the wedding of King Birendra. The museum was established to preserve the unique woodcarving traditions of the Newar community.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Peacock Window: Located on a side alley of the building; it depicts a circular window with a peacock as the central motif, its tail feathers forming the lattice.

Carved Struts: The building features intricate roof struts depicting various Hindu deities and mythical creatures.

Pujari Math Interior: Exploration of the traditional living quarters of Malla-era priests, including kitchens and prayer rooms.

Woodworking Exhibits: A collection of traditional tools, windows, doors, and household items showcasing the evolution of Newari woodworking.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The building is a historic monument with narrow, uneven stairs and low doorways; it is not wheelchair accessible. The Brass & Bronze Museum is located directly across the square. 5G signal is stable in the open square.

Best Time to Visit

Early Afternoon: To view the Peacock Window in the best natural light.

Combined Tour: Visit immediately after the National Art Museum to utilize the same ticket.

Facts & Legends

A technical oddity is that the entire structure was built without the use of iron nails; the timber frames are held together by sophisticated joinery and wooden pegs. Legend states that the carver of the Peacock Window was so talented that the King of Bhaktapur had the artist's hands cut off after its completion to ensure no other city could ever have a window of equal beauty.