Taumadhi Square
Bhaktapur's busiest heritage square, home to the five-storey Nyatapola Temple — the tallest pagoda in Nepal — and the Bhairavanath Temple.
- Altitude
- 1,401 m
- Coordinates
- 27.672°, 85.429°
Current Weather
Taumadhi Square (Ta: Maari in Newari, meaning 'a big bread') is the vibrant heart of Bhaktapur, just a minute's walk south of the Durbar Square through a narrow lane lined with souvenir shops and cafés.
The square is dominated by the magnificent Nyatapola Temple, a five-storey pagoda that stands as the tallest temple in all of Nepal. Built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1702, it is dedicated to the tantric goddess Siddhi Laxmi. Five pairs of guardian figures line the steep stairway — legendary wrestlers Jayamel and Phattu, elephants, lions, griffins, and goddesses Baghini and Singhini — each said to be ten times stronger than the one below.
Opposite stands the Bhairavanath Temple, a three-storey structure dedicated to Bhairava, the fierce manifestation of Shiva. Between them sits the Til Madhav Narayan Temple, where the Newari ehi (bel bibaha) ceremony is performed — a ritual marriage of young girls to the bel fruit.
Taumadhi is the assembly point for the spectacular Bisket Jatra chariot festival during Nepali New Year in April, when massive wooden chariots are pulled through the streets. The square comes alive with morning and evening street markets, and is the best place in Bhaktapur to try bara, the savory Newari lentil pancake.
- Expanded during the reign of Bhupatindra MallaHis reign
The square his two towers face each other across: Nyatapola on its five plinths, Bhairavnath opposite.
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Bhaktapur Durbar Square
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