THE NYATAPOLA TEMPLE WAS BUILT AND DEDICATED TO THE GODDESS SIDDHI LAXMI
One of the temples that are still in existence today is the Nyatapola Temple, which was built in 1702 AD, during the rule of King Bhu- patindra Malla. This beauti- fully sculptured building is considered one of the tallest pagodas in the country and is a lovely example of the im- mense workmanship that went into buildings of this type. This five-storey temple with a five-tier roof that stands just over thirty metres high can be reached by walk- ing up a flight of steps that leads to the top of the plat- form. As you walk up these terraces, you will notice that there are statues on either side of you, on every step.
The Nyatapola temple was built and dedicated to the goddess Siddhi Laxmi. Like so many of the other temples the image of the goddess that is contained within the temple of Nyatapola is viewed by the priests only.
Dominating Taumadhi Square is the Nyatapola Temple. The temple rests on a base of five levels with four Ganesh shrines in each cor- ner. Nyatapola means "five- story temple" in Newari lan- guage. Legend tells of the days when the angry god Bhairab was causing havoc in society (1702 AD).
Bhairab's temple stood in Taumadhi Square. To coun- teract his destructive behav- iour the king decided to build a more powerful tem- ple right in front of Bhairab Temple. To make the brick and wood temple strong and powerful, King Bhupatendra Malla ordered guardians be placed in pairs on each level of the base leading up to Ny- atapola Temple. On the first level is a pair of likenesses of Bhaktapur's strongest man, Jaya Mal Pata, a famous wrestler. After subduing Bhairab, peace prevailed in the city. The temple was so well designed that it with- stood a powerful 8.3 Richter scale earthquake in 1934.
The image of Siddhi Lakshmi is locked within the temple and only the priests are al- lowed to enter to worship her. This is the only temple that is named after the di- mensions of architecture rather than the name of the deity residing within. In the present context of work- schedule, planning and pro- gramming, it is very difficult to believe that the temple was erected within so short a period of time. But it is a fact.
Nyatapola Temple is not only the highest temple in Nepal, but also one of the best examples of traditional Newari temple architecture.
The temple appears to soar above Bhaktapur's rooftops, with the snow-capped Hi- malayas as a dramatic back- drop. The stairway leading up to the temple is flanked by guardian figures at each plinth level. The bottom plinth has the legendary Ra- jput wrestlers, Jayamel and Phattu, each said to have the strength of 10 men. On the plinths above are two ele- phants, then two lions, then two griffins and finally two goddesses -- Baghini and Singhini. Each figure is said to be 10 times as strong as the figure on the level below.
Presiding over all of them, but hidden away inside the temple, is the mysterious Tantric goddess Siddhi Lak- shmi, to whom the temple is dedicated. While only the temple priests are allowed to see her image the temple's 108 carved and painted roof struts depict her in her vari- ous forms. Various legends and tales relate to the temple and its enigmatic inhabitant.
One is that she maintains a balance with the powers of the terrifying Bhairab, com- fortably ensconced in his own temple just across the square.
One of the temples that are still in existence today is the Nyatapola Temple, which was built in 1702 AD, during the rule of King Bhu- patindra Malla. This beauti- fully sculptured building is considered one of the tallest pagodas in the country and is a lovely example of the im- mense workmanship that went into buildings of this type. This five-storey temple with a five-tier roof that stands just over thirty metres high can be reached by walk- ing up a flight of steps that leads to the top of the plat- form. As you walk up these terraces, you will notice that there are statues on either side of you, on every step.
The Nyatapola temple was built and dedicated to the goddess Siddhi Laxmi. Like so many of the other temples the image of the goddess that is contained within the temple of Nyatapola is viewed by the priests only.Dominating Taumadhi Square is the Nyatapola Temple. The temple rests on a base of five levels with four Ganesh shrines in each cor- ner. Nyatapola means "five- story temple" in Newari lan- guage. Legend tells of the days when the angry god Bhairab was causing havoc in society (1702 AD).
Bhairab's temple stood in Taumadhi Square. To coun- teract his destructive behav- iour the king decided to build a more powerful tem- ple right in front of Bhairab Temple. To make the brick and wood temple strong and powerful, King Bhupatendra Malla ordered guardians be placed in pairs on each level of the base leading up to Ny- atapola Temple. On the first level is a pair of likenesses of Bhaktapur's strongest man, Jaya Mal Pata, a famous wrestler. After subduing Bhairab, peace prevailed in the city. The temple was so well designed that it with- stood a powerful 8.3 Richter scale earthquake in 1934.
The image of Siddhi Lakshmi is locked within the temple and only the priests are al- lowed to enter to worship her. This is the only temple that is named after the di- mensions of architecture rather than the name of the deity residing within. In the present context of work- schedule, planning and pro- gramming, it is very difficult to believe that the temple was erected within so short a period of time. But it is a fact.
Nyatapola Temple is not only the highest temple in Nepal, but also one of the best examples of traditional Newari temple architecture.
The temple appears to soar above Bhaktapur's rooftops, with the snow-capped Hi- malayas as a dramatic back- drop. The stairway leading up to the temple is flanked by guardian figures at each plinth level. The bottom plinth has the legendary Ra- jput wrestlers, Jayamel and Phattu, each said to have the strength of 10 men. On the plinths above are two ele- phants, then two lions, then two griffins and finally two goddesses -- Baghini and Singhini. Each figure is said to be 10 times as strong as the figure on the level below.
Presiding over all of them, but hidden away inside the temple, is the mysterious Tantric goddess Siddhi Lak- shmi, to whom the temple is dedicated. While only the temple priests are allowed to see her image the temple's 108 carved and painted roof struts depict her in her vari- ous forms. Various legends and tales relate to the temple and its enigmatic inhabitant.
One is that she maintains a balance with the powers of the terrifying Bhairab, com- fortably ensconced in his own temple just across the square.
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