Taumadhi Tole
Taumadhi Tol is a square in the middle of Bhaktapur and is front of our first hotel. There are three different squares Bhaktapur and of them Taumadhi Tol is one meant for everyday use. One of the most important festivals that takes place at Taumadhi Tol is Bisket Jatra in early spring, in which people from the upper and lower halves of Bhaktapur attempt to pull a rath to their side of the town. Hutt notes that it is “a ritual center which affirms the unity of the town.” Taumadhi Tol was built by Jagajjyotir Malla in 1614. it is surrounded by three pagoda temples Nyatapola, Bhairav Temple and Cafe Nyatapola.
Bhairavnath Temple was a single story temple when it was built, also built by the aforementioned Mallas. In 1717 the Mallas restored the temple and added two more stories. In the 1934 earthquake the locals rebuilt it.The temple is to Bhairav. Temples to him must be rectangular. A popular tradition is that Shiva once came to observe Bisket Jatra, he was received and beheaded thus the temple is also known as Kashi Vishvanath.
Nyatepola Is the other temple that is at Taumadhi Tol. Nyatepola was built in 1702 by King Bhupatindra Malla. When the temple was being built King Bhupatindra set an example to his subject by carried three bricks by himself, and the people brought together the material to built it in five days. They also had to make seven more brick factory to get the material in a reasonable fashion.It is the tallest temple in Nepal. To enhance the durability king Bhupatendra Malla had guardians be placed on every level of the structure's base. On the first level is two statues with a likeness of to Rajput warriors, Jaimal and Phatta who defended a famous 16th century fort. On the second level are two elephants, followed by lions, griffins and "Baghini" and "Singhini", the tiger and lion goddesses. Bhairav has said to be troublesome to the ruler and he advised the square needed to be balanced by a goddess. This one is to Siddhi Lakshmi.She is one of the scariest godesses ever. When she goes anywhere Shiva carries her.
Til Mahadev Narayan is a small but is surprisingly important considering how it is hidden in a small court yard. This site in particular has been used since 10 AD. Surrounding the temple is two pillars that have Vishnu's discus and his conch. A discus is more or less a teardrop shaped sharp frisbee. At the bottom of the pillars are turtles that represent Vishnu when he assisted in the churning of the ocean. Also inside the courtyard is a shiva lingam protecting the gate. Inside the temple is a plaque Vishnu and Statues of Skandha on peacock, Saraswati, and standing Vishnu and Lakshmi figures.