Bhaktapur Nyatapola Temple - Nepal

Address

Bhaktapur Nyatapola Temple – Bagmati Province Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur Nepal 44800

Diety

Amman: Siddhi Lakshmi

Introduction

Nyatapola Temple is an 18th-century temple located in Bagmati Province, Bhaktapur district, Nepal. It is the tallest building in the valley and the tallest temple in the country. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Lakshmi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The idol of the Goddess, which is installed in the sanctum sanctorum, is believed to be extremely fearsome. Although only the temple priests enter the sanctum sanctorum, visitors can explore the rest of the temple. The monument has survived two major earthquakes in the region and has suffered minor damages. It is also, therefore, known for its structural strength.

Puranic Significance

Nyatapola Temple was built during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla. He belonged to the Malla Dynasty. The temple has traditional pagoda-style architecture with a five-storey roof that makes it a strikingly tall building in the region. It took about seventeen months to build the temple during the time. The Goddess is believed to be Tantric and hence, is also called Tantric Lakshmi. It is said to house the Tantric Goddess Siddhi Lakshmi, a powerful incarnation of Devi. The temple of Nyatapola is dedicated to the Tantric deity of Siddhi Lakshmi who is considered the ancestral deity of the Malla royal family of Bhaktapur and is also regarded as the mother deity of the Newars of Bhaktapur. She holds the topmost position in Tantric divinity and as a result her primary visage is kept secret from public. Only the Karmāchārya priests are allowed enter the temple. Although, representation of her can be seen on carvings all over the temple, the primary image of the goddess is not shown to public. The image of Siddhi Lakshmi inside the temple is said to immensely beautiful and artistic and stands at least ten foot (3.048m) tall. She is said to be standing with her feet on the shoulders of Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Shiva and she herself has 9 heads and 18 arms. Her image is also surrounded by smaller images of numerous other deities. It is said that because her image was installed using Tantric methods, her image is hidden from the public. According to a legend, Lord Bhairava/ Lord Shiva were once causing havoc in the region. Seeking help, the people called upon Goddess Parvati to help them. The Goddess appeared in the avatar of Siddhi Lakshmi. She is said to be more potent than Lord Bhairava and carried him to control him. The temple was thus built in her honor. And because she is believed to be stronger than Lord Bhairava, her Temple was made to be sturdier and taller than the Bhairava Temple located nearby.

Special Features

The image of Siddhi Lakshmi is locked within the temple, and only the priests are allowed to enter to worship her. The five-storied temple, locally known as Nyatapola, stands in the northern side of Taumadhi Square in Bhaktapur. This is the only temple that is named after the dimension of architecture rather than from the name of the deity residing inside. Nyatapola Temple is built according to the traditional pagoda style of architecture. The monument has a five-tiered roof. From the bottom till the top of the pagodas, it measures about 30 meters tall. The Temple is placed over five platforms or terraces built one on top of the other. Right in the middle of the yard, a stone staircase stretches leading to the temple entrance. Each level has stone statues of mythical protectors, elephants and tigers on either side. Inside, there is a sanctum sanctorum where the idol of the Goddess is placed. Across the remaining temple, Goddess and legendary incarnations in relation the goddess are carved.