Nyatapola Temple is an 18th-century temple located in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It is the tallest temple in the country. The temple was built in 18th Century. It is dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Lakshmi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. It was build by a Malla King Bhupatindra Malla. It is Five storied temple. The temple has traditional pagoda-style architecture. It is said that this temple was made in only seven months.
It is located at Tamaudi square which lies on the eastern side of the main square.
This is one of the only two five-storied pagoda temples found in the Valley. The temple stands on a five-stepped plinth, which is approached by a stone-paved stairway. On each plinth level of the stairway is a pair of large stone statues on either side of the stairs.
It is mentioned that the residents of Chaling, Jitpur, Bageshwari, Sankhu, Jhaukhel, Changu, Gokarna, Panauti and other places have also helped in the construction of this temple. In the absence of good relations with the states of the valley, King Bhupatindra Malla built this temple as soon as possible to demonstrate his power and invited all the people of Bhaktapur and the kings of the neighboring states to the Party. It is said that The party was attended by about 23,000 people, which was four times the number of Bhaktapur residents.
The Nyatapola temple is made of only wood and brick. The metal is used only in the pinnacle and clappers attached to leaf-shaped paddles that catch the breeze with wind bells. It is decorated in the roofs of the Nyatapola temple. Their chimes sounding man’s devotion to his god.
Among the arts of Nepal, perhaps the best known is the wood carvings that adorn temples like Nyatapola. This is a craft that developed in the 15th and 16th centuries during the Malla rule among the Newar tribes. There are thirty-six decorated wooden windows in the Nyatapola temple. The window seems to have been the most favored unit of decoration of the temple. The windows are engaged in the brick wall equipped with religious symbols, floral patterns and geometrical patterns in relief.
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.
