Daily life and the rituals of Bhaktapur certainly capture the essence of its name, ‘city of devotees’; its unique urban form, civic structures, and vernacular setting provide a distinct backdrop to life as it unfolds in Bhaktapur. It is, therefore, a testament not only to its history, but also to the continuation of
Newāri society and culture within the valley. The core area of the World Heritage Monument Zone, therefore, does not necessarily reflect the entirety of Bhaktapur’s cultural legacy. As heritage conservation primarily concentrates on protecting the physical authenticity and integrity of the World Heritage listed monuments and their settings, the current management activities do not evoke a deep appreciation of Bhaktapur’s heritage importance. This is particularly true of Bhaktapur’s intangible heritage and its association with the built heritage, in spite of the fact that
the intangible heritage is identified as critical to Bhaktapur’s heritage significance in Criterion IV (cited above). To develop a better understanding of Bhaktapur’s cultural significance and the issues related to its protection, one needs to study how its residents’ belief systems are manifested in the built fabric, rituals, and daily life and how they understand its spirit of place.