Lord Dattatreya is the merged form of Tridev, born from the wombs of sage Atru and mother Anusiya. Guru Dattatreya’s Idol has 3 heads and 6 hands due to Tridev‘s merged form. The first Brahma and another Bishnu, and the final is Maheshwar, with Conch, Wheel, Mace,Lotus,Trident, and Kamandalu among the 6 hands. Despite Tridev‘s combined power, Lord Dattatreya‘s temple in Bhaktapur’s Tachapal Tole is a soft, kind, altruistic, and tranquil place. Looking at the 3-storey Dattatreya temple made of a single tree, it is in a structure made up of two temples. This temple was built by King Yaksha Malla in the year 1427 A.D.Lord Dattatreya is regarded Lord Bishnu despite being a merged form of Tridev. As a result, there is a statue of Bishnu‘s eagle, an eagle, as well as a conch and a wheel on different pillars in front of the Dattatreya temple. Outside the temple, a gigantic trident, a Shiva emblem, is also displayed.

The temple holds a fair every Monday in the month of Shravan and every Wednesday in the month of Paush to commemorate Yomri Purnima, and it has two families for Lord Dattatreya’s protection. Lord Dattatreya’s temple can be found in both Tachapal and Bhaktapur Durbar Saquare.

The temple is constructed of wonderfully carved dark brown wood on a terracotta foundation. Behind the Dattatreya statue is a massive tree. A statue of Anasuya Mata may be found on the temple’s third tier, depicting the narrative of Mata converting Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva into children when they went to test her chastity at the request of their spouses.

The temple holds a significant religious and cultural significance in Nepal. This temple is regarded as a tribute to history, having withstood a number of natural disasters throughout the years, including earthquakes in 1934 and 2015, which devastated dozens of other historical monuments and structures in Kathmandu. He is also renowned as the Pashupatinath Temple‘s teacher. Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Buddhists all hold great religious value in this temple. It has sensual scenes carved on its sides and is one of Nepal’s most popular temples with sensual themes etched on its studs and pillars.

Lord Dattatreya‘s birth is the subject of a fascinating legend. Lord Brahma, Bishnu and Maheshwar once heeded their wives’ advice and went to the ashram of the sage Atru to request a test of mother Anusiya‘s chaste hood. He had to give up begging by giving up shame, dignity and hesitation. Later, when it was not possible to give begging in the absence of sage Atar, he called Tridev, who was about to return without begging, and turned him into a baby and breastfed him. Searching for their husbands, the Tridevi reached the ashram of Mother Anusiya and apologized for her mistake and transformed the newborn baby into a real Tridevi again. From this, Tridev happily asked for a gift, but Tridev asked for it in the same form as his child. This form of Tridev is called Lord Dattatreya.

According to legend, the temple was constructed from a single tree (very similar to Kasthamandap in Kathmandu). Astute viewers will notice that the front part of the temple differs slightly from the rest of the temple, indicating that it was erected later. Several sensual carvings may be found on the temple’s base. Statues of the Rajput wrestlers Jayamel and Phattu, who also protect the Nyatapola temple in Taumadhi Square, defend the shrine’s foundation steps.

Dattatreya Square is called after the square’s major shrine. The square is open in the center, with two big temples and a smaller one. There are also two museums where visitors can explore the Malla period’s arts and architecture. Quiet side streets lead off from the square to marketplaces, monuments, and more temples.

Dattatreya Square is said to be one of the valley’s oldest squares. The Square is thought to have been built well before the 15th century. It’s possible that it was the first square used by Nepal’s royal family. For the other rulers at the time, this square was the main attraction. There is no evidence as to why Bhaktapur Durbar Square took over, other than the fact that its larger size would have been more appropriate for a growing kingdom and its area.

Tip: Around 7 p.m., the front porch area is generally packed with local musicians playing traditional instruments.

Events and festivals celebrated in Dattatraya 

Shaune Shombar Brata (Shrawan Month Mondey Fasting)

Wednesday in the month of Paush

Nava Durga Nach

Sa:Paru (Gai Jatra)

Teej 

Shila Charhe (Mahashiva Ratri)

Holi Punhi (Fagu Purnima)