Culture and Architecture

I'm not much of a history buff but the culture and architecture of Nepal is quite fascinating. There are so many interesting temples, shrines, gods, goddesses and intricate designs.

On the way back from Nagarkot we stopped at the city of Bhaktapur and later went to Durbar Square in Kathmandu. Both are protected heritage areas and both had an entrance fee with money being used for conservation and restoration efforts.

One story I found particularly interesting was Bhairav which "represents deity Shiva in his destructive manifestation. This is the most famous Bhairav and it was used by the government as a place for people to swear the truth." We were told that a person accused of a crime would be put in front and people could ask the person questions about the crime. If the person didn't speak the truth they would start bleeding from the mouth and die.

Bhairav

Edge of carved door in Bhaktapur

Statue of King Bhupatindra in Bhaktapur

In Bhaktapur

A wrestler and the elephants in front of the Five Storied Nyatapola Temple

The famous Five Storied Temple

Small carving in the coffee shop we stopped at in Bhaktapur

Door carving in Bhaktapur

In Durbar Square

There were lots of pigeons in Durbar Square thanks to so many people feeding them.

Colorful carving above the door into the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Durbar Square

In Durbar Square