About the Royal Bath (Naga Pokhari)


Located through the Golden Gate in Bhaktapur Durbar Square to the rear of the courtyard outside the Taleju Temple.

Royal Bath (Naga Pokhari)
Royal Bath (Naga Pokhari)

Built in 1678 by Jitamitra Malla from a natural spring, the Naga Pokhari (Royal Bath) is also considered a hiti as water pours from a gilded stone water spout into a sunken basin.

You can't help but notice the large snakes that encircle the bath. These are Nagas, which are deities that take the form of water serpents.

Visitors are allowed to walk down into the bath, which is surrounded by beautifully crafted artwork. The hiti was featured in the film "Little Buddha".

Did you know?

 

A "Hiti" is a water basin that is filled from a natural spring through a spout.

Back in 1678, the Royal Bath was part of a much larger compound, which has since disappeared.

 

Highlights of the Royal Bath (Naga Pokhari)


The Naga (water serpents) are carved into the stone surrounding the bath before rising up in the center. They serve as protectors. The detail shown on them, along with the bath itself, is some of the finest proportional work in Nepal.

Nagas are traditionally called "snakes" and are often associated with water. They appear in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and are also common in traditional Newari architecture.

If you walk down into the bath, take a close look at the well-crafted stone water spout, which was added in 1688. It used to be fully gilded, but time has taken its toll.

Above the spout are small replicas of original statues of various deities that have been stolen over the years.


Entrance Fee


There is no fee to see Naga Pokhari in Bhaktapur as it's covered under the main Durbar Square ticket.


Directions


From Bhaktapur Durbar Square, locate the Golden Gate along the main old Royal Palace wall. Pass through it into the inner Royal courtyards to the Taleju temple (off-limits to non-Hindus). Enter the compound to the Royal bath from the small gate to the upper left-hand side of the Taleju Temple entrance if it is directly behind you.


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