Bhupatindra Malla Statue
Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, 44800
Bhaktapur’s Bhupatindra Malla Statue is a beautiful bronze statue of the Malla-dynasty king of Bhaktapur, erected in 1699. Bhupatindra Malla, wearing traditional Nepali clothes and a headdress, is seated on a plinth with his hands folded in prayer. The statue sits outside the Vatsala Durga Temple, and is considered to be the most significant statue in Bhaktapur.
The basics
Located in Bhaktapur Durbar Square and surrounded by other examples of beautiful architecture, the Bhupatindra Malla Statue shouldn’t be missed. The column that he sits atop is also beautifully decorated, with lotus flower motifs, drapery, and guardian animals, as well as a bell suspended above the king’s head. Most travelers check out the statue while visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square, either traveling independently or on a guided tour.
Things to know before you go
- Non-Nepali tourists must pay an entrance fee to the UNESCO-listed Bhaktapur Old Town area.
- Bhaktapur suffered a lot of damage in the earthquake of 2015, but the Bhupatindra Malla Statue was unharmed.
- Touring Bhaktapur with a guide is a good idea to learn about history, art, and architecture.
How to get there
Bhaktapur is in the east of the Kathmandu Valley, about 9 miles (15 kilometers) from central Kathmandu. It can be reached on a private tour, by taxi, or local bus. Vehicles generally park outside the entrance to Bhaktapur’s old town area, and visitors walk to the Durbar Square, where the Bhupatindra Malla Statue is located.
When to get there
The statue and surrounding square are most beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when local people perform their religious rituals and the light casts a warm glow on the terracotta-hued bricks and bronze details. Bhaktapur is a living, occupied town, so can be visited at any time. Foreign visitors need a ticket to the old town area, but if you arrive outside business hours the ticket booths will be shut.
Visit Patan Durbar Square
There is a similar statue at the Patan Durbar Square, just south of central Kathmandu. Patan is worth visiting for many reasons, one of them being to visit the Patan Museum. This well-designed museum provides a lot of information about the architectural and religious history of the Kathmandu Valley, including Bhaktapur. It’s an especially interesting place to visit near the start of a trip to the Kathmandu Valley, to contextualize sights like the Bhupatindra Malla Statue in Bhaktapur.
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