Overview

The national art museum of Bhaktapur is one of the best acquisition hubs of medieval as well as the lichhavi art and history. That was a former palace then named Simhadhwaka Durbar. For the reason of having an image of a pair of stone lions.

King Bhupatindra Malla erected it in 1698 A.D. Also, picturesque it as Malatichwok. But locals prefer to call it Simhadhwoka layaku rather than Malatichwok. Later, in 1960, the Government of Nepal and the Department of Archaeology set it up as the National Art Gallery.

The National Art Museum was inaugurated by Bishwesvar Prasad Koirala. He was Nepali Congress Supreme and the very first elected prime minister of Nepal.

Consequently, this museum is the best among the three museums of Bhaktapur. You can easily find this place, once you enter the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The two stone images of lions pleasantly embrace you.

Along with that, another stone sculpture of Hanumanta-Bhairav and Nar-Shima also shows you the way toward the museum.

Wood Carving Museum

Wood carving museum, you can find this one well-garnished architecture on the left side of the Dattatraya temple. At once, it used to be the pujari math of Tachupal Chowk but now it is considered one of the significant museums of Bhaktapur.

Just accessing through the main door and reaching the inner yard would leave you with a big wonderment. But yes, before reaching there, you need to show your yellow-colored ticket to the guards of the museum.

If you already have visited the National Art Museum of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, then you don’t need to buy another one here. The same ticket works for you.

Some historical facts related to the wood carving museum

The building of the current wood carving museum, which initially came into existence during the reign of King Yakshya Malla with the most epigraphic temple of Bhaktapur, The Dattatreya Temple.

After the blessing of King Yakshya Malla, it was by some means rebuilt in 1763. And again renovated by the German experts as the wedding gift to the then King Birendra in 1979.

The peacock window, being the most alluring woodcraft from the 15th century, even today made us come for it. A narrow street facing south leads to this masterpiece.

Open Timing: 10am – 4pm 

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