Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in south central Kathmandu and south of Thamel Street. The Durbar Square is not far, about 20~30 minutes by walking from Thamel Street through some alleys, square and small temples along the way. Or tourists could also take a rickshaw or taxi to get there in several mintues.

Taxi Information for your reference:

● Thamel Street - Kathmandu Durbar Square: about 2km for less than 20 mins' walking

● Tribhuvan Airport - Kathmandu Durbar Square: about 7km for 25mins' driving

● Boudhanath Stupa - Kathmandu Durbar Square: about 8km for 30mins by taxi

● Swayambhunath Temple - Kathmandu Durbar Square: about 3km, 14mins by taxi

● Pashupatinath Temple – Kathmandu Durbar Square: about 6km, 30mins by taxi

Kathmandu Durbar Square Location Map

Durbar means “Palace” in Nepali language, Durbar Square once was the royal palace square of Malla Kings and the subsequent Shah Dynasty in Nepal. The original east palace was built in the middle of 16th century and later the square went through constant extension from Kings of Malla Kingdom.

The Malla Dynasty is the first kingdom ruled Kathmandu Valley from the 13th century to middle 18th century. In 1768, Shah Dynasty - the last monarchy dynasty in Nepal history occupied Kathmandu Valley and built four more observatories in southeast of Durbar Square. All the following kings of Shah Dynasty lived here until they relocated to the new palace in 1886. After the royal family moved to Narayanhiti Palace, all the old palace - Durbar Square was kept as a museum with Kings’ portraits and lots of objects and photographs of King Tribhuvan. Kathmandu Durbar Square was severely damaged due to the Nepal earthquake in 2015, most structures were collapsed, among these, Kasthamandap and Maju Deval have been completely slumped, part of the old royal palace has collapsed and now is a dangerous building.

Old Royal Palace in Durbar Square

Durbar Square is actually comprised of 3 distinct scattered temple squares. To the south of the Durbar Square is the Basantapur Square facing north Basantapur Durbar. Western of the Durbar Square, where many temples and famous sites assembled, is the primary area of the square. In the northeastern, it is the sub zone of Durbar Square with an entrance to former palace sites. Makhan Street - an open ground extending to northeast was a major traffic thoroughfares in Kathmandu and now is a very famous pedestrian street. The main scenic spots are Kasthamandap, Ashok Binayak, Kumari Bahal, Trailokya Mohan, Shiva – Parvati Mandir, Hanuman Dhoka (the old royal palace), Talaju Temple and Kala Bairav. Kasthamandap is a good place to start exploring the Durbar Square.

Top Nepal Tours involving the highlights of Kathmandu Durbar Square

☞ 4 Days Classic Kathmandu Valley Tour
☞ 5 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Leisure Tour (by Flight)
☞ 8 Days Nepal Holiday Tour (Kathmandu - Pokhara - Chitwan)

Kathmandu Durbar Square Layout

Kasthamandap Temple

Kasthamandap stands for “Kathmandu” in Nepalese. Locals believe the whole Kathmandu City was constructed around Kasthamandap and it’s the origin of the name of Kathmandu City. Regarded as the oldest building in Kathmandu Valley, the temple located in southwest of Durbar Square was built in far 12th century with all wood from one single Shorea Assamica Dyer tree, served as a public house for passing pilgrims and the passerby. It is a three-storey quadrangled pagoda building that is about 20m high. The log cabin at the center of Kasthamandap enshrines a Gorakhnath statue and there are many Ganesh statues and baldachine of other gods in every corner of the yard. Ruined by Nepal earthquake in 2015, Kasthamandap is under repair now. Ashok Binayak Temple with gilded roof is in northern Kasthamandap Temple.

Kasthamandap Temple

Kumari Bahal

Situated in the southern side of the square and east of Kasthamandap, left side of entrance to Durbar Square, Kumari Bahal, one of the must-sees in Kathmandu Durbar Square, is the residence of Kumari - “the Living Goddess” of Nepal. The red brick building of three stories preserved many gorgeous and exquisite woodcarvings like Buddha, peacocks and other pictorial on balcony and windows in the courtyard. Trishna Shakya - a three years old girl, is a specially chosen for she is said to be the human incarnation of the head Hindu goddess. If you are fortunate enough you may see her during one of her public appearances on the third floor for 20~ 30s. Every day groups of visitors queues up to watch her when she shows up. Currently only the first floor is opened for foreign tourists. No photographing is allowed then, but tourists can buy postcards printed with headshot of the goddess in the gate. Trailokya Mohan Narayan Temple lies in northern Kumari Bahal.

Courtyard of Kumari Bahal

Hanuman Dhoka Durbar

Also called the Old Royal Palace, Haunaman Dhoka in eastern Durbar Square is the largest existing historical sites, which contains the most abundant art collection in Nepal. Hanuman Dhoka means hanuman door, a legend of the brave hanuman punishing the evil and praising the good commended by people. Statues of hanuman stand on the stone pier of left palace gate, covered with a red brocade canopy. The durbar was built in the 13th century initially and consummated mostly in the 17th century; this grand palace has nearly 10 Chowks (palaces) for different purposes.

Foreign tourists are allowed to visit some halls, like the Tribhuvan Museum where you can overlook the whole palace and Durbar Square from the top. Tickets for Hanuman Dhoka is excluded in Durbar Square, should be bought separately. Now this old site is a dangerous building due to the Nepal earthquake.

Sunset of Hanuman Dhoka Durbar

Taleju Temple

Built in 1549, Taleju Temple, a three-storeyed gold-plating eave tempio, is the highest temple in Kathmandu with height of about 35m. As the most magnificent architecture in northern Durbar Square, it is constructed on a 12-storeyed square base, having several little temples, stone carvings of lions, monsters and etc. There are entrances on four sides of Taleju Temple, and Taleju Goddess is enshrined in the middle of the lintel of the front door (golden gate) facing south.

Ordinarily it only opened for royal members in the past, now tourist can visit Taleju Temple during Dasain Festival and irregular activities held by the temple to attract visitors.

Front Gate of Taleju Temple

Kala Bhairab

Kala Bharab is a giant stone statue of Kala Bhairab (Lord of Terror), one of the reincarnations of Shiva in north of Durbar Square. With a 4~5 meters’ height, Kala Bharab is a grim-looking god holding sword, enemy’s head and dharma-vessels in six arms. It must be the most colorful spot in Durbar Square for lots of people pray in front of the Kala Bhairab in the morning and daub red or yellow pigment on the arms.

Varicolored Kala Bhairab

Shiva - Parvati Mandir

Next to Maju Deval in the west area, Shiva – Parvati Mandir is a two-storied wooden temple worshiping the Shiva and his wife Parvati. Built by Malla Dynasty, it is now the best repre/div>sentative of landscape architecture of Durbar Square. There are two huge stone lions guarding in the front door and the statues of the couple are right above. Tourists often meet sadhu - look people sitting in front stairs, they will ask for payment if you take group photos with them.

Shiva – Parvati Mandir