Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu’s old Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka) is perhaps the Valley’s number–one tourist attraction and the complex seethes with life. The Durbar Square has more than 50 monuments, the oldest dating back to the 12th century when Malla Kings were the rulers. Sections from many different rulers and eras are cobbled together in a maze of buildings, temples, towers, courtyards, and passages. The Shah Kings moved into the palace after their 1786 conquest and since then all Shah Kings have been coronated and crowned from atop the platform in the center of the courtyard of this square. The Shah kings occupied the palace for little more than a century before moving out in 1896 to the more modern Narayanhiti Palace, the site of the present palace. They left the old Durbar to be used for ceremonies, storage purposes and offices although the ancient palace still retains great ceremonial importance to this day.

Temple of the Kumari (Living goddess)

Kumari (Vestal Virgin), or the Living Goddess, who represents a very ancient Hindu deity of Nepal locally known as Taleju, is Buddhist by birth. The temple of Kumari is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has intricately carved wooden balconies and gilded windows. The building was raised in the mid-18th century by Jaya Prakash, Kathmandu’s last Malla king. The main shrine is upstairs in the Kunmari’s living quarters, where she grants worshippers a daily audience; non-Hindus are not admitted. If you want to glimpse the Kumari, for a few rupees donation she’ll make a brief appearance in the upper window across from the entrance. No photographs are allowed.

Kasthmandap

Located near the temple of Kumari, it is said to have been built by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla in the beginning of the 16th century. Legend says the structure was built from the wood of a single magical tree, thus its name, Kasthamandap which eventually because the source of the Gorkha name “Kathmandu”.

Seto (White) Machhindranath Temple

The temple of Seto Machhendranath is situated at Machhendra Bahal between Indra Chowk and Asan. It is a pagoda of considerable artistic beauty. The deity is also called Janmadyo or Machchhendra.

Akash Bhairav Temple

A three story temple in the main market avenue, called Indra Chowk, the image of Akash Bhairav is displayed outside for a week during Indra Jatra, the festival of Indra, the God of Rain.

Singha Durbar

A grand imposing palace built in the neo-classical style, Singha Durbar was the private residence of a Rana Prime Minister. Now it is the Secretariat of the government of Nepal.

Narayanhity Durbar

At the head of Durbar Marg (street) is the Narayanhity Royal Palace. The Shah kings moved to this compound from the old palace in the late 18th century. The compound is immense, surrounded by high walls and guarded by soldiers. Obviously, casual visitors are not welcome. The name of the palace ‘Narayanhity’ is derived from a historic spout opposite and a little east of the main entrance.