Erotic Elephants Temple

Bhaktapur


Outside the main Durbar Sq entrance gate is this little piece of architectural whimsy on the roof of the small Shiva Parvati Temple. Giving graphic representation to the lyrics ‘birds do it, bees do it…’, the temple roof struts feature camels, cows, armadillos and even elephants engaged in the act of making sweet love. Missionary style!


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bhaktapur attractions

1. Shiva Parvati Temple

0.01 MILES

With a plinth similar to Nyatapola Temple, this much smaller version also features pairs of statues of elephants, lions, bulls and the wrestlers Jayamel…

2. City Gate

0.04 MILES

Buy your ticket to the left of the arched city gate and show it to the guard as you enter the Durbar Sq.

3. Rameshwar Temple

0.05 MILES

This small temple is topped by an ornate dome held up by four pillars.

4. Badrinath Temple

0.06 MILES

The Badrinath Temple is sacred to Vishnu in his incarnation as Narayan.

5. Ugrachandi & Bhairab Statues

0.06 MILES

As you enter Durbar Sq through the western gate, look left to a gateway flanked by two stocky stone lions, erected by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1701. On…

6. Char Dham Temples

0.07 MILES

Standing at the western end of Durbar Sq, the four Char Dham temples were constructed to provide spiritual merit for pilgrims who were unable to make the…

7. Gopi Nath Temple

0.07 MILES

This two-tiered temple features different incarnations of Vishnu on the ceiling struts and a statue of Garuda on the pillar at the entrance.

8. Indrayani Temple

0.08 MILES

Just outside Durbar Sq, head down the path near the hiti that leads down the stairs to this atmospheric Kali temple that was built around a gnarled pipal…

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