Square, Plaza sights in Bhaktapur
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A
Potters' Sq
On the northern side of the square a small hillock is topped by a Ganesh shrine and a shady pipal tree. There are fine views over the river to the hills south of Bhaktapur. The square itself has two small temples: a solid-brick central Vishnu Temple and the double-roofed Jeth Ganesh Temple. The latter is an indicator of how long the activity all around the square has been going on - a wealthy potter donated the temple in 1646 and to this day its priest is chosen from the potter caste.
Pottery is very clearly what this square is all about; the southern side of the square is lined with clay stores and potters' wheels, and the square (and other parts of town) is often filled…
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B
Durbar Square
Bhaktapur's Durbar Sq is larger than Kathmandu's, much less crowded with temples than Patan's and less vibrant than either. It wasn't planned that way: Victorian-era illustrations show the square packed with temples and buildings, but the disastrous earthquake of 1934 destroyed many of them, and today empty plinths mark where temples once stood.
Durbar Sq is the one place where you'll be approached by a string of tiresome guides and thangka painting school touts.
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C
Taumadhi Tole
A short walk from Potters' Sq or Durbar Sq reveals the second great square of Bhaktapur, the Taumadhi Tole ( M0456). Here you'll find Nyatapola Temple, the highest temple in the valley and also the Café Nyatapola, where the balconies provide a great view over the square. The latter was renovated for its new purpose in 1977 and it has some finely carved roof struts.
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D
Nasamana Sq
Nasamana Sq is somewhat decrepit but has a Garuda statue without a temple.
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