Bhaktapur, also called the “City of of Devotees”, is where you meander down narrow streets past centuries old homes and temples.  It seems as if you are really in the Middle Ages.  Above is the Boudha Stupa.  The Tibetians came here centuries ago to make this Hindu temple in Nepal.

Bouddha Stupa lies about 6 km east of downtown Kathmandu and is the largest stupa in the Valley and one of the largest in the world. It looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design with hundreds of prayer wheels and 108 small images of Buddha. This stupa has four sides with the watchful eye of Buddha. Buddhists throng to this stupa to take part in the sacred rituals during their festivals.

Bhaktapur is one of the three cities found in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal not far from the capital city of Kathmandu. Today this ancient medieval city, from the 15th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Nyatpola Temple is a the largest 5-story pagoda located in Bhaktapur, Nepal. The temple was erected by Nepali King Bhupatindra Malla during a 5-month period from late 1701 into 1702. It is the temple of Siddha Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity.

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The Peacock Window, which is also called the “Mona Lisa of Nepal”, is a rare masterpiece in wood. Dating back to the early 15th century, the unique latticed window has an intricately carved peacock in its center. Its an excellent example of wood carving that you see all over the Kathmandu valley.  This window design is the most famous and copied in Nepal, as you might expect with Mona Lisa replicas.  It is truly an amazing example of skilled wood carving found in Nepal.

 

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At the Pottery Square you can see the ancient traditional artwork of pottery making being practiced in front of your eyes.  It is an amazing place to see! You will be taken back 600 years.  We saw the spinning wheel, using hand sculpting, and then firing in ancient primative straw and wood fueled ovens.  Below are the pottery pieces drying in the sun.

 

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A spice market in Bhaktapur looks like this.  It is quite exotic.  The smell and sensation is beyond words. Yummy!!!

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Fresh vegetables are the same.  They are better tasting and more flavorable! We think the reason is there are no genetically modified fruits or vegetables in Nepal.  Compared to the US which may offer more disease resistant, bigger, and pulpier fruit, these have an incredible burst of flavor.

 

 

 

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