Kathmandu's Durbar Square is one of three durbar (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley . Kathmandu Durbar square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the Kathmandu durbar square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. Though decreased from its original size and attractiveness from its earlier seventeenth century architecture, the Kathmandu Durbar Square still displays an ancient surrounding that spans abound five acres of land
Hanuman Mandir
Even though the present palaces and temples have undergone repeated and extensive renovations and nothing physical remains from that period, names like Gunapo and Gupo, which are the names referred to the palaces in the Kathmandu Durbar square in early scriptures, imply that the palaces were built by Gunakamadev, a king ruling late in the tenth century. When Kathmandu City became independent under the rule of King Ratna Malla (1484-1520) the Kathmandu Durbar square became the royal palaces for its Malla kings. When Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the Kathmandu Valley in 1769, he also favored the Kathmandu Durbar Square for his palace. Other subsequent Shah kings continued to rule from the square until 1896 when they moved to the Narayan Hiti Palace .
The Kathmandu durbar Square is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum . At the southern end of Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the most curious attractions in Nepal , the Kumari Chowk .
Mahadev Parbati Kathmandu
Some important monuments seen in this area are:
The Taleju temple is the tallest of all structures built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D.
The Kala Bhairav, one of the largest 17th century stone statue in Kathmandu, represents the terrifying aspect of Shiva.
The 17th century Kumari temple (the temple of the living goddess is an example of the highly developed Nepali craftsmanship.
Kastamandap, from which Kathmandu derives its name, is said to have been built from the timber of a single tree.
Taleju Temple- Kathmadu
Kala Bhairab
Kumari
Hanuman Durbar Square
Besides these, other fascinating parts of this Kathmandu Durbar Square is the towering Nautale Durbar overlooking the beautiful city and the vast Basantapur square. The heart of Kathmandu this ancient square crowded with palaces and temples, including the current incarnation of the Kasthamandap or "Wooden house" that gives the city its name. The Kathmandu Durbar Square has been in active use since the construction of a palace around 1000 AD. This site is the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal .
A place not to be missed is Kathmandu Durbar Square Museum . New Road is 200 metres ahead of Kathmandu Durbar Square and should be visited if you are planning on shopping. A notable place is Freak Street , just 50 metres away from Kathmandu Durbar Square , which was the central place during the Hippie Era.
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