Overview
In Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur. At 33.23 metres, the tallest pagoda in Nepal, and the most celebrated piece of structural engineering the Malla period produced.
History
Precisely dated by construction record rather than legend: built under the Malla king Bhupatindra Malla, from December 1701 to completion on 15 July 1702. That is an unusually exact date for any temple in the region. A five-tiered pagoda on a five-level plinth, the tallest pagoda-style temple in Nepal. 2015 earthquake. Survived the 7.8-magnitude April 2015 earthquake with only minor damage, in sharp contrast to the destruction around it.
Spiritual Significance
Nyatapola's fame is as much structural as devotional. It came through both the 1934 and the 2015 earthquakes essentially intact while much around it fell, which has made it the standing argument for the soundness of Newar building technique. The five-level plinth is guarded by paired figures ascending in strength.
Prayers at Nyatapola Temple, Bhaktapur
जय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी
नमो नमो दुर्गे सुख करनी।नमो नमो अम्बे दुःख हरनी॥
अयि गिरिनन्दिनि नन्दितमेदिनि विश्वविनोदिनि नन्दिनुते गिरिवरविन्ध्यशिरोऽधिनिवासिनि विष्णुविलासिनि जिष्णुनुते।
ॐ अस्य श्रीचण्डीकवचस्यब्रह्मा ऋषिः अनुष्टुप् छन्दः
ॐ अस्य श्रीअर्गलास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य विष्णुर्ऋषिः अनुष्टुप् छन्दः
सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये
Pilgrimage Information
Access. The exterior is open to all. The sanctum is restricted to Karmacharya priests, regardless of a visitor's religion. Nepal restricts entry to several major temples, sometimes only to the inner sanctum and sometimes to the whole compound. Where this page records a restriction it is what sources state; where sources conflict it says so. Confirm locally before travelling a long way.
Sources
- Nyatapola Temple other
About this page
Researched and written by YatraBeyond from published sources, and not yet confirmed by the temple. Facts here are cross-checked against at least two independent sources, never written from memory, and every source is listed above.
Last reviewed by us: 2026-09-17. Timings, entry rules and access can change without notice; treat anything time-sensitive as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
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