Bhaktapur Nyatapola Temple – Nepal

Address

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

Deity

Amman: Siddhi Lakshmi

Introduction

• Location: Nyatapola Temple is an 18th-century temple situated in Bagmati Province, Bhaktapur District, Nepal.
• Significance: It holds the distinction of being the tallest building in the valley and the tallest temple in the country.
• Deity: The temple is dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Lakshmi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The idol of the Goddess, housed in the sanctum sanctorum, is reputed to be quite fearsome.
• Access: While only temple priests are permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum, visitors are welcome to explore the rest of the temple.
• Structural Resilience: Nyatapola Temple has withstood two major earthquakes in the region with only minor damages, showcasing its remarkable structural strength.

Puranic Significance

• Historical Background: The temple was built during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla, part of the Malla Dynasty. The construction took approximately seventeen months to complete.
• Architectural Style: Nyatapola features traditional pagoda-style architecture with a striking five-storey roof, making it a notable landmark in the area.
• Deity’s Nature: Siddhi Lakshmi is recognized as a Tantric Goddess and is often referred to as Tantric Lakshmi. She is revered as the ancestral deity of the Malla royal family and is considered the mother deity of the Newars of Bhaktapur.
• Hidden Image: The primary image of the Goddess, said to be around ten feet (3.048 meters) tall, is kept hidden from public view due to its sacred nature. It depicts Siddhi Lakshmi standing on the shoulders of Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Shiva. The Goddess has nine heads and eighteen arms, surrounded by smaller representations of other deities.
• Legend: According to local lore, Lord Bhairava was causing chaos in the region, prompting the people to seek help from Goddess Parvati. In response, she appeared as Siddhi Lakshmi, overpowering Bhairava. To honor her strength, the temple was constructed to be taller and sturdier than the nearby Bhairava Temple.

Special Features

• Access Restrictions: The image of Siddhi Lakshmi is locked within the temple, with only priests allowed to enter for worship.
• Temple Structure: Nyatapola Temple, locally known as Nyatapola, is located on the northern side of Taumadhi Square in Bhaktapur. It is uniquely named after its architectural dimensions rather than the deity it houses.
• Design: The temple features a five-tiered roof and stands approximately 30 meters tall, built on five platforms or terraces stacked one atop the other. A stone staircase leads up to the temple entrance.
• Mythical Statues: Each level of the temple is flanked by stone statues of mythical protectors, elephants, and tigers. Inside, the sanctum sanctorum contains the idol of the Goddess, while carvings of the Goddess and her legendary incarnations adorn the rest of the temple.

Century/Period/Age

18th-century

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Nearest Bus Station

Bhaktapur

Nearest Railway Station

Raxaul and Gorakhpur.

Nearest Airport

Kathmandu

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