Dattatraya Square
The oldest square in Bhaktapur, home to Nepal's only Dattatraya Temple, the famous Peacock Window, and two heritage museums.
- Altitude
- 1,401 m
- Coordinates
- 27.673°, 85.435°
Current Weather
Dattatraya Square (Tachapal Tole) is the oldest and most dignified of Bhaktapur's historic squares, tucked into the eastern end of the old city. While tourists crowd Durbar Square, Dattatraya rewards those who walk the extra ten minutes with a quieter, deeper encounter with Newari heritage.
The centrepiece is the Dattatraya Temple, built in 1427 AD and expanded in 1458 — Nepal's only temple dedicated to Dattatraya, the combined form of the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwor. Legend holds that the entire temple was carved from the trunk of a single tree.
On the square's south side, the Pujari Math houses the Woodcarving Museum, a trove of medieval Newari craftsmanship. Down a narrow lane beside it is the legendary Peacock Window — a 15th-century masterwork of carved wood that has become the symbol of Bhaktapur's artistic legacy. Next door, the Brass and Bronze Museum displays ceremonial lamps, ritual vessels, and metalwork. A single ticket covers both museums.
The square also holds the Bhimsen Temple (1605 CE), a rectangular two-storey pagoda dedicated to the god of trade and commerce, with the Bhimsen Pokhari pond behind it. The Salan Ganesh Temple (1654) houses a natural stone image of Ganesh — one of the valley's Ashta Ganesh shrines.
Dattatraya Square is a living stage for festivals including the Nava Durga masked dances, Gai Jatra, and Holi.
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Bhaktapur Durbar Square
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