Kathmandu Durbar Square is also popular as Hanuman Dhoka as well as Basantapur Durbar where durbar translates to “palace” During the monarchy in Nepal, kings were crowned and legitimized at Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu Durbar Square is mostly crowded and mostly visited by all the travelers as it is located in the center of Kathmandu city. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites has listed Kathmandu Durbar Square in their list on 1979.

How to reach ?
The extraordinary heritage site is easily accessible by both private and public transportation. It is only three kilometres from the centre of Kathmandu if you go along the Amrit Marg. You can hire a taxi or embark on a local bus. If you wish to walk to the Durbar Square, it takes over thirty minutes from Kathmandu.

History of Kathmandu Durbar Square
It is believed that the Kathmandu Durbar Square construction started in the early ruling of Lichhavis. The durbar was named after the Lichhavi King, Gunakamadev in the 10th century as Gunapo and Gupo. The name of the palace can be found in sculptures.
Later, during the regime of Malla King Ratna Malla, the durbar was home to royals. Several constructions such as fountains, statues, temples (Taleju temple) took place from (1484–1520). In 1769, Privithi Naryan Shah, the great King, conquered the Kathmandu valley and started living in the royal palace.The durbar square host important royal functions such as the coronation of Kings. There was a major change in durbar square during the regime of the Shah and Malla dynasties. Enlargement of durbar including its courtyard, temples, and chok and much more construction was made.

Kumari Bahal
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 another pictorial on the balcony and windows in the courtyard. On the basis of religious and cultural criteria practiced since eras, a small girl is chosen as Kumari, the only living goddess of Nepal. She is said to be the human incarnation of the Hindu goddess.

Hanuman Dhoka Durbar
Also called the Old Royal Palace, Hanuman Dhoka in eastern Durbar Square is another existing historical site, which contains the most abundant art collection. Hanuman Dhoka represents (Hanuman is the most loyal devotee of Lord Ram also one of the Hindu God and Dhoka means door). Statues of hanuman stand on the stone pier of the left palace gate, covered with a red brocade canopy. Hanuman Dhoka 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. Hanuman Dhoka has the wall with 17th century stone inscriptions written in 15 different languages which have not been decided yet and believed as an impossible task.

Taleju Temple
Built-in 1549, Taleju Temple, a three-storied gold-plating temple with a height of about 35m. One of the most magnificent architecture in northern Durbar Square and is constructed on a 12-storied square base, having several little temples, stone carvings of lions, and mythical characters. 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.

Kala Bhairav
The large sculpture of Kaal Bhairav, the fierce form of Lord Shiva, was sculpted during the 5th or 6th century and later rediscovered in the 17th century. During the reign of King Pratap Malla, this statue was installed to serve as a supreme court. It was believed for a long time that people who lied in front of the statue would die. So, suspects were brought in front of the fearsome Kaal Bhairav to speak the truth.

The Shiva Parvati
The Shiva Parvati Temple is a stunning temple dedicated to Shiva and his wife, Parvati. It was built in the late 18th century during the reign of King Rana Bahadur Shah, grand-son of Prithvi Narayan Shah. The temple is easily recognizable by its two wooden figures of Shiva and Parvati looking out from the open central window on the first floor.

Kasthamandap temple
Totally destroyed by the 2015 Earthquake, Kasthamandap is now rebuilt.
Kasthamandap isn’t a temple; it is a public wood pavilion and pilgrim shelter with a shrine of Gorakshanath inside. It was built with the wood of a single sal tree around the 12th century. The city of Kathmandu is named after this.

Gaddi Baithak
Gaddi Baithak is a white neo-classical building that was built in 1908 by Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher. The building was damaged by the April 2015 Earthquake but is now restored. No entrance is currently allowed inside the building. But it is said that guided tours will be available soon and the ground floor will house a museum.

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