APPENDIX

MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN BHAKTAPUR: FOR TOURISM PROMOTION STRATEGY

INTRODUCTION

Background: Bhaktapur, a place of historical importance and the home of medieval art and
architecture, is one of the three capital towns of Nepal, locally known as Bhadgaon/Khawopa. It
is renowned for its colorful festivals, traditional dances and typical indigenous Newar lifestyle. It
has emerged as Nepal’s cultural capital. It is a living museum, displaying traditional music,
festivals and ritual dances, the vibrant depth of Newari Culture.

For its majestic monuments, colorful festivals and the native Newars best known for their long
history of craftsmanship, the ancient city is also variously known as the ‘city of culture’, and the
‘living heritage’ and ‘Nepal’s cultural Gem’ It is 28 o north and 85 o 35’ east lies 11.2 km east of
Kathmandu, which is situated at 1,401 meters above the sea level and spreads over an area of
6.88 sq. km. It grows from a collection of villages strung along trade route between India/ Tibet.

King Yaksha Malla (15th century) heavily fortified his city in a bid to make it invulnerable. The
Hindus and Buddhists have co-existed in harmony and drawn inspirations from each other
through the ages. Painting, carving, masonry, bronze casting, jewelry, pottery, agro-products are
other traditional enterprises still existing. Monuments and artistic carvings on wood, stone and
metal are scattered all over the historical core of the city.

Unlike other two cities of the valley-Kathmandu and Lalitpur, Bhaktapur is still predominantly
comprised of the peasantry, with their traditional enterprises. Like the rest of Nepal, one can see
Hinduism/Buddhism intermingling with one another in religious tolerance/communal harmony.

Due to German funded Bhaktapur Development Projects in 1970s, it has been a much cleaner
and tidier town, but there’s still a distinctly timeless air to the place. The project restored
buildings, paves dirt streets and brought sewerage facilities.

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A Cultural City: Bhaktapur, one of the three historic royal towns in the Kathmandu valley with
rich architectural and urban heritage found in the 8th century is known as Khwopa in Newari
dialect and Bhaktapur in Nepali. One hundred thousand people inhabit in the city and the main
occupation of its inhabitants is agriculture whereas the crafts and businesses are their secondary
occupations. From 12–15th century, the city remained capital of the kingdom of Nepal.

Cultural and living heritage dating back 14-15 centuries has remained relatively well preserved.
The Taleju shrine, 55 Windowed palatial, structure of the Durbar square, the five storied temple,
the Bhairav temple at Taumadhi square, the Dattatraya square with many small and big temples
as well as the priest houses have remained the master pieces not only for Bhaktapur but also of
the country. “Were there nothing else in Nepal save the Durbar square of Bhaktapur it would still
be amply worth making a journey halfway round the globe to see,” expressed A.E. Powell,
London. Swiss Geologist, Toni Hagen wrote, “Bhaktapur is the most clean city, others should
follow her.” Citizens of Bhaktapur are indulged in conservation of the heritage as inspiration.

Historical Settings: The oldest part of the town is around Tachupal Tole (the Dattatraya
Square), to the east. Bhaktapur was the capital city of the whole valley during 14th-16th centuries
and during that time, the focus of the town-shifted west, the Durbar Square area. Much of the
town’s great architecture dates from the end of the 17th century during the rule of the King
Bhupatindra Malla. On Yaksha Malla’s death, the kingdom after a period of joint rule among his
sons eventually became divided into three small kingdoms-Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Patan.

Socio-Culture: Newars, a racial group, mostly inhabits in the town. They are the descendants of
the original inhabitants of the valley who had come to settle there in the time of King Hari Singh
Dev in 1324 A.D. On an average, there is a handloom of crude old type in every household of
Bhaktapur. The peasants rarely use foreign-made clothes. They put on home-made cloth.

Their females have a distinct type of dress. They wear black saris with red borders called
Hakupatashi. A special type of curd called Juju Dhau is prepared sweet tasty. Some sections of
the people maintain their life by taking to curd making. Another notable industry of Bhaktapur is
cap-making, there a particular type of cap called Bhadgaule Topi is manufactured.

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The Agricultural Economy: Economy of Bhaktapur, like that of the rest of Nepal as a whole, is
fundamentally agricultural. The city is ringed with farmlands. The main crops are rice, wheat,
and maize, followed by crops grown in much smaller quantities-millet, potatoes, oil seed, barley,
sugarcane and a large variety of vegetable crops such as pulses, peepers, onions, soybeans,
tomatoes and ginger. The fields are irrigated and those on the hillsides are terraced.

In a study, 70% of the sample farming accounted for more than 70% of their household cash
income, while for 11.5% of the households it accounted for 50 to 70% of their income, and for
11.5% it accounted for 30 to 50% of their income.

All households in the survey supplemented their crop income in various ways-by limited sale of
animal products, by income from various trades and crafts, by wage labor, and from the rental of
land or, rarely, through local commerce.

The Non-Agricultural Economy: An inventory of the small stalls and shops that crowd the
bazaar street gives some idea of the variety of the supplies and of the specialists who provide
them, which are necessary for the material and symbolic life of Bhaktapur.

There are specialized shops or market areas selling various matters like cloth for saris and
clothes; ready-made clothes; smoking supplies; rice and other grains; metal cooking pots; curds;
curios for the tourists; books; gold and silver ornaments and small religious figures in gold and
silver; caps; sweet cakes.

Finally, there are all kinds of specialized performers and service providers -musicians of various
types, ritual dances, barbers, and medical specialists, priests and ritual specialists, midwives,
cutters of umbilical cords, astrologers, tailors, fishermen, sweepers, and many more.

The 1971 census reported for Bhaktapur that 65.8% of the workforce was engaged in agriculture,
8.5% in commerce, and 8.2% in manufacturing, primarily crafts. It also listed a small number of
people engaged in electrical, gas and water services.

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CURRENT TOURISM CONDITIONS

Tourism in Bhaktapur: Being one of the historical cities in the Kathmandu valley, most of
Nepal’s foreign visitors visit Bhaktapur municipality area during their Nepal visit. Bhaktapur is
involved in the half-day sightseeing tour package. Though, many tourists stay over nights in
Bhaktapur with their own purposes and during some specific occasions. Also, Bhaktapur being
the intermediate point for Nagarkot, Changu Narayan and Dhulikhel, many tourists visit it. It is
estimated that about 87345 foreign guests used to visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square annually, prior
to the introduction of the service charge USD 1 since July 1993 for the purpose of conservation.

TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN BHAKTAPUR

Tourists Sites in Bhaktapur: Monumental masterpieces in Bhaktapur are innumerable. Most of

the temples are pagoda style-they have terracotta tile roofs supported by intricately carved
wooden struts or columns, wooden and doors, gilded roofs and pinnacles, open brick-paved
spaces around, and above all, an image of the deity presiding over the edifice. Still while temples
share similar attributes each is unique. Each reflects a different component of the religious belief,
social outlook and economic status of the culture and artistic tradition of the indigenous Newars.

Durbar Square: The Durbar Square is Bhaktapur’s monumental gem. It is one of the seven
UNESCO world heritage sites located in Kathmandu Valley. This spectacular square, a capital of
Malla Kingdom till 1769, is an open museum itself. Victorian illustrations show that it was once
packed with monasteries, temples and artistic buildings, almost one third of which were
destroyed by the disastrous earthquake of 1934. The square still holds mesmerizing palaces,
pagodas, shikhara-style temples as well as Buddhist monasteries exclusively architecture.

While one pace through Durbar Square, he will be compelled to feel the touch of mediaeval
excellence, The Golden Gate, Taleju Temple (The Interior of Taleju, The Mul Chowk, The
Kumari Chowk, The Golden Spout), Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, Fifty-five Windowed
Palace, The Big Bell, Chyasin Mandap, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, Vatsala Temple, Yaksheshwor
Temple, Chatu-brahma Bihar at Sakotha. Taumadhi Square:

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Taumadhi Square, just half a minute walk from the Durbar Square is the square that divides the
ancient town into upper and lower halves. The biggest festival of the town-Bisket Jatra,
schedules every year in April, starts from this very square. The square is dominated by many
mesmerizing temples and other medieval architecture-Nyatapola Temple, Bhairav Temple and
Til Madhav Narayan Temple are the major structures. Being centrally located, a lot of local
activities depicting local life-style and culture can be observed here throughout the day.

Dattatraya Square: Like the other squares, the Dattatraya Square is also like an open museum
that contains innumerable monumental masterpieces of woodcarvings. The seat of royalty till the
late 1500’s, it is home to the ancient city’s best-known masterpieces, especially those in wood.
The square originally known as Tachupal verbally meaning ‘the grand rest house’- alone consists
seven Math’s among a dozen existing in Bhaktapur.

Bhimsen Temple, famous Peacock Window, the Bronze and Brass Museum, the Woodcarving
Museum and Dattatraya Temple are the additional major attractions of the square. It is probably
is the original center of Bhaktapur, in the initial periods of its founding, Temple of Dattatraya,
Poojari Math, Wakupati Narayan Temple, Peacock Window, Wane Layeku, Bhimsen Temple,
Salan Ganesh Temple are other popular attractions in the city.

Pottery Square: Bhaktapur’s two Pottery Squares are world renowned, and so are the many
potters that can be seen on their traditional wooden wheels. The first Pottery Square is located at
Talako, some 500m to the southwest of Taumadhi Square. Here visitors will find potters giving
shape and size to lumps of black clay, and earthenware they make ranges from such household
goods as pots and jars to cheap souvenir items as animals and birds.

As pottery in Bhaktapur is a family job, visitors may chance upon the entire family doing their
parts of work. Right within the complex is a two-floored temple that houses an ornate image of
Ganesh, erected in a very traditional way. The pagoda dates back to the 14th century.
Bhaktapur’s second Pottery Square is located to the east of the Dattatraya Square. Here also,
visitors will see the ancient city’s well-known craftsmen sunk in what they have inherited from
their ancestors.

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Elsewhere in Bhaktapur: Nava Durga Temple, Ta-pukhu (Sidhapokhari), Terra-cotta
Windows, Nepal’s Largest Shiva Lingum, Ancha-Pukhu, Varahi temple, Barhe-pukhu (Kamal
Vinayak), Buddhist Bihars and Bahis are other well known monuments.

Day-trippers around Bhaktapur: Nagarkot, Changu Narayan, Surya Vinayak, Thimi, are
easily accessible places, which are located within the easily access from the city. Several public
and private transport facilities are available to access these place.

Museums in Bhaktapur: Bhaktapur is a paradise for art lovers. The whole city could be a live
museum itself. If there are enough resources, there could have many more specialized museums.
Several museums of traditional dances, instruments, costumes, ornaments, etc. are available
around the city. Bhaktapur Municipality can still offer to the beloved guests, the three specialized
museums-National Art Gallery, Woodcarving Museum, Bronze and Brass Museum. The
museum, Bhaktapur’s third, faces the Woodcarving Museum in the Dattatraya Square.

Housed in a historic Math noted for its mesmerizing masterpieces in wood, it specializes in such
heterogeneous, ceremonial and household metal ware as ritual lamps (sukunda), hanging lamps
(yekha-dallu), ceremonial jars, water-vessels, cooking pots, ink-pots, oil pots and spittoons
which were used in the ancient and medieval periods. Museums are open daily, except Tuesdays
and public holidays, from 9am-5pm.

Festivals of Bhaktapur: Bhaktapur’s monuments serve as a stage for the city’s many festivals
and cultural dances, which are at least as spectacular as any architectural structure. Still
celebrated with the same old flavor and enthusiasm, this living heritage has been handed down
from centuries in an unbroken chain from generation to generation.

The most popular festival of the town is Bisket Jatra and others are Mata-tirtha Aunsi/Mother’s
Day, Buddha Jayanti/Swanya Punhi, Sithi Nakha, Nag Panchami, Saparu/Gai Jatra,
Ghathamunga, Krishnastami, Gunla, Gokarna Aunsi, Father’s Day, Yenya Punhi,
Mohani/Dashain, Swonti/Tihar, Maghe Sakranti, Vasanta Panchami/Shree Panchami, Maha
Shiva Ratri, Holi/Fagu, Nava-durga Dance.

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Ritual Dances of Bhaktapur: Among the local dances, the name of Devi Dance comes to the
forefront. Men with masks all adorned with embroidered laces and decorative floral designs play
it. The party consists of dancers called Kali, Kumari, Maha Laxmi, four Betals, two Bhuchas,
and two Khyaks. They all dance merrily in tune with vocal instrument called Mahalin.

The dance of Kumari and that of Maha Laxmi on the back of a gorgeous lion are exquisitely
charming. To the same category is the Bhairav Dance. This party too consists of Bhairav, Maha
Kal and Khyaks. They dance in tune with the blowing of trumpets called Khing. This dance is
very vigorous and awe-inspiring. Among the other local dances, the names of Maka Pyakhan
(Monkey-Dance), Natuwa (Dancing Girls), Phakandali, Gayencha (Bards), Nagacha (the duel
dance between Shiva Parvati), Bhalu Pyakhan (Bear Dance) and Lakhey Pyakhan (Demon
Dance) are the popular dances. They are exhibited on Gai Jatra, which takes place in August.

Products of Bhaktapur: Bhaktapur is rich in its traditional culture and skills. The generations of
master craftsmen have been carrying on their time-honored traditions of arts and crafts. Besides
monuments and festivals, Bhaktapur is equally rich in local Newar handicrafts. There visitors
can see for themselves the way Nepal’s master craftsmen carry on their time-honored traditions
of art and craft. At either of the city’s two Pottery Squares, visitors can see potters spinning life
into lumps of clay. Other of Bhaktapur’s handicrafts includes paubha scroll paintings, papier-
mâché masks, cotton cloth, woodcarvings, metalwork, and jewelry.

One can also find the homespun haku-patasi (black sari), traditional black caps, and the world
famous Juju-dhau-the king of all yogurts. Some of the major craft products are: Wood Carving,
Paubha Painting, Terracotta, Traditional Masks, Lokta Paper, Handloom, etc.

Accommodation and foods in Bhaktapur: As Bhaktapur has evolved itself into a popular
tourist destination; the growth of hospitality business in this city is but natural. In recent years,
the city has seen considerable surge in tourism trade including hotels, restaurants and handicrafts
in and around the historic territory. Like anywhere else, the hotels and guesthouses vary in size
and standard, but things that they all have in common are their convenient location, varieties of
amenities and above all, the personalized service they offer to their customers.

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The rooms are well-appointed, most of them having all amenities that a modern traveler may
look for. For those whose preferences are for luxury-starred hotels, it is only a few kilometers
away from the city canter. The city is a favored place for gourmets and gourmands as well.
Tastefully decorated and well stocked, restaurants in this historic city serve varieties of culinary
delights ranging from simple Nepali dal-bhaat to international delicacies. Adding to it, the
ambience is serene and soothing. And always with an eye on hygiene, what they offer to their
customers suit both their palates and wallets.

KEYS TO RELEASING TOURISM POTENTIAL

Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee (BTDC): With the intensions of retaining and
improving in all possible aspects, the image of Bhaktapur, BTDC was established in 1997 with
the active participation of the local community people directly and indirectly related to tourism
industries. “Progress thoroughly healthy and sustainable tourism development” is main guiding
principle for all the activities of BTDC. The main objectives of BTDC include:

 Identifying the problems in tourism development through general discussions, workshops

and survey works.
 Solving or assisting authorities in solving problems related to tourism in Bhaktapur.
 Contribution for the conservation and development of historical and cultural sites as well
as traditional skills and technologies.
 Conservation of the environment around the tourist sites by public awareness campaign
about the importance of tourism industries.
 Draw attention of the authorities towards the possible side effect of tourism industries
and act to minimize its negative impacts.
 Work for the professional benefits of the members by bringing them together and
generating cooperative attitude towards each other.
 Working closely with national and international organizations with similar objectives.
 Contributing to the development of national tourism industries.
 Work in all possible sectors of tourism development.

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