The Bhairavnath Temple faces the Nyatapola across Taumadhi Square, and the contrast is striking: the Nyatapola soars on its tall plinth, while the Bhairavnath is lower, wider, and more elaborately decorated — three tiers of roof supported by carved struts, with an erotic detail on the lower struts that reflects the temple's tantric associations.
Bhairav is the fearsome manifestation of Shiva — a god of destruction, disease, and time — and his temple is the centre of Bhaktapur's most important festival, Bisket Jatra, which takes place in April (the Nepali new year). A massive chariot carrying the god's image is dragged through the streets by teams of men on ropes. Non-Hindus are generally not permitted inside, but the temple facade and the festival are both visible from the square.