Sightseeing · Bhaktapur
Taumadhi Square
Bhaktapur's temple plaza — the towering Nyatapola pagoda facing the broad Bhairavnath Temple.
- Address
- Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur 44800
Taumadhi Square is Bhaktapur's most dramatic public space — a broad brick plaza where the soaring five-storey Nyatapola Temple faces the heavy mass of the Bhairavnath Temple. Just south of Durbar Square, it is the natural heart of the old town and one of the valley's great architectural set pieces.
What to see
The square is defined by its two temples. The Nyatapola Temple rises about 30 metres on a steep, five-tiered plinth, its stairway guarded by pairs of stone figures — legendary wrestlers, elephants, lions, griffins and goddesses, each said to be far stronger than the one below. Across the plaza, the broad three-storey Bhairavnath Temple sits low and wide, dedicated to the fierce deity Bhairava. Around the edges, traditional cafes and craft shops fill the brick buildings, and you will often see locals resting on temple steps.
History
Taumadhi developed as one of Bhaktapur's principal squares during the Malla period, when the city was a thriving kingdom of the Kathmandu Valley. The Nyatapola Temple was built in 1702 under King Bhupatindra Malla and dedicated to Siddhi Lakshmi, a tantric goddess. Its engineering — a wide, stepped base tapering to five graceful roofs — helped it survive the great earthquakes of 1934 and 2015 with comparatively little damage, while many neighbouring structures fell. Bhairavnath has been rebuilt and enlarged over the centuries and remains central to the city's ritual calendar.
How to visit
Taumadhi Square lies inside Bhaktapur's heritage zone, so you will pass through a ticket gate and pay the foreigner entry fee before reaching it. From Bhaktapur Durbar Square it is a two-minute walk south. The square is open and free to wander at any hour once you are inside the old town; there is no separate charge for the plaza itself.
Tips
- Climb the Nyatapola plinth for the best photographs across the square and rooftops.
- Come early or late to catch soft light and fewer crowds, especially for the temple-to-temple view.
- Pair it with the nearby 55-Window Palace and the working Pottery Square on a single walking loop.
- Visit during Bisket Jatra (around mid-April) if you can, when chariots are pulled across the square for the Nepali new year.
For a full route through the old town, see the top things to do in Bhaktapur, and read up on the headline Nyatapola Temple before you go.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Taumadhi Square in Bhaktapur?+
Taumadhi Square is one of Bhaktapur's main public squares, just south of Durbar Square. It is dominated by two temples: the five-storey Nyatapola Temple, Nepal's tallest pagoda, and the boxy Bhairavnath Temple. Cafes and shops ring the plaza, making it a natural place to pause.
How tall is the Nyatapola Temple on Taumadhi Square?+
The Nyatapola Temple stands about 30 metres tall across five tiers, making it the tallest pagoda-style temple in Nepal. Built in 1702 under King Bhupatindra Malla, it has survived the valley's major earthquakes largely intact.
Can you climb the Nyatapola Temple?+
You cannot enter the inner sanctum, which is dedicated to the tantric goddess Siddhi Lakshmi, but you can climb the stepped stone plinth. The platform gives the best views over Taumadhi Square and is flanked by the temple's famous guardian statues.
Where is Taumadhi Square?+
Taumadhi Square sits in the heart of Bhaktapur's old town, a two-minute walk south of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It is easy to reach on foot once you have entered the heritage zone.
What is the Bhairavnath Temple?+
Bhairavnath is a tall, rectangular temple on Taumadhi Square dedicated to Bhairava, a fierce form of Shiva. It plays a central role in Bhaktapur's Bisket Jatra new-year festival, when a huge chariot is hauled through the streets.
