Indra Chowk

The busy street of Makhan Tole spills into Indra Chowk, the courtyard named after the ancient Vedic deity, Indra. On the right of the square is the Akash Bhairab Temple, or Bhairab of the Sky Temple. From the balcony four metal lions rear out over the street. The temple’s entrance is at the right-hand side of the building, guarded by two more metal lions, but non-Hindus cannot enter. The silver image inside is visible through the open windows from out in the street, and during important festivals, particularly Indra Jatra (September), the image is displayed in the square. A large lingam (phallic symbol) is also erected in the centre of the square at that time.

In a small niche just to the left of the Akash Bhairab Temple is a very small but much-visited brass Ganesh shrine. Indra Chowk is traditionally a centre for the sale of blankets and cloth, and there are often many merchants on the platforms of the Mahadev Temple. The next door Shiva Temple is a smaller and simplified version of Patan’s Krishna Temple.

Just at the opposite side of Akash Bhairab Temple, if you enter the small gully, you will find traditional bead-shop who has been doing business since very long. Women buy beads or ornaments made of beads here for different occasaions.