Brief Description:
Marvelous ancient temples, palace courtyards and streets grace kathmandu durbar Square, or Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex. The royal complex was the residence of royalty until the last century. Even to date, many important ceremonies are held in one or the other courtyards within this complex. The coronation of the Nepalese monarch also takes place here. It is also called Basantpur Durbar because of a towering palace added to the complex by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. The Durbar is divided into two principal chowk-s (courtyards). The outer chowk consists of the Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati Temple, among other important landmarks. The inner chowk consists of the Hanuman Dhoka and the principal durbar. There are other chowks such as the Nasal Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Mohan Chowk. The Durbar complex also consists of four towers - Basantpur, Kirtipur, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. The palace complex is located in the heart of old Kathmandu City. It also houses two museums - one the open-air museum, and the other being King Trivhuvan Memorial Museum. Most premises of the Durbar are open for tourists, and can be visited throughout the week between office hours. Parts of the Durbar are used for national festivals, and are open only to the King and certain priests. Taleju Mandir (Temple) The Temple of Taleju is the most famous of the three Taleju temples. Built by King Mahendra Malla, this particular shrine is situated in Trishul Chowk. The temple stands over 36.6 meters high, and rests on plinths of 12 stages. Mul Chowk It is shaped very much like a Buddhist monastery, or vihar. It is a square courtyard surrounded by two-storeyed quadrangle of buildings. In the center of the courtyard, there is a low post set in the ground where animals are sacrificed during Dashain.

Source: Nepal Tourism Board