Nyatapole: Pride of Bhaktapur

In the center of Bhaktapur, Nepal, stands the tall and beautiful Nyatapole Temple. It was built in 1702 AD by King Bhupatindra Malla. The temple is dedicated to Siddhi Lakshmi, a strong goddess who protects people from evil. The word "Nyatapole" means "five stories" in the Newari language. It is the tallest pagoda-style temple in Nepal, about 33 meters high.

The temple shows the great art and skill of the people during the Malla period. On each level, there are statues of strong protectors—wrestlers, elephants, lions, griffins, and goddesses. Each statue is said to be ten times stronger than the one below it. The temple is made of bricks, stones, and carved wood. Even after many earthquakes, including the big one in 2015, it is still standing strong.

Nyatapole is very important for both religion and culture. It is a symbol of Bhaktapur’s history and the strength of its people. Many visitors and worshippers come to see it every year. It is also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, showing the world Nepal’s rich and proud past.


Nepal Tourism Board is a national tourism organization of Nepal established in 1998 by an Act of Parliament in the form of partnership between the Government of Nepal and private sector tourism industry to develop and market Nepal as an attractive tourist destination. The Board provides platform for vision-drawn leadership for Nepal’s tourism sector by integrating Government commitment with the dynamism of private sector.

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