Hanuman Dhoka (Basantapur Durbar Square)

Most of the cultural centers of Nepal are concentrated around the Kathmandu Valley; among those cultural sites, the important one is the Hanuman-Dhoka Durbar Square (HDDS). Located at the heart of ancient city Kathmandu it is a complex of beautiful temples and shrines both Hindu and Buddhist. Most of them are built in the pagoda style embellished with intricately carved exteriors built between 12th and 18th centuries. The Durbar square with its old temples palaces epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Until the early 20th century the Durbar square was the king’s residence. It is a living open museum of Nepal. 

The name Hanuman Dhoka Durbar came from the statue of hanuman established by king Pratap Malla at the entrance of the royal palace in 1672 A.D. the nine storied residence built by king Prithbi Narayan Shah in 1770 is called Basantajpur Durva. The whole complex is also known as Kathmandu Durbar square The palace complex was originally founded during the Lichchhavi period but as it stands today most of it was constructed by king Pratap Malla in 17th century. The palace was renovated many times in later year. The architectural remains and art objects within the palace complex now existing are from Malla shah and Rana period of Nepal. 

The Durbar square area is actually made up of two sub- area. The acuter complex is renowned for numerous interesting temples as Kumara Gahar Kasthamandap Shiv- palate temple savannah temple big bell etc. While the inner complex comprises the old palace area Hanuman-Dhoka and its courtyards as Nasal Chowk Mul Chowk Sunkarichok Lohan Chowk Basantajpur Durbar and others. There are many temples in the inner complex also most notable being the Taleju Temple dedicated to female royal deity. The area includes ten courtyards these days but prior the great earth quake of 1934 the area was expanded up to New Road Gate including thirty –five courtyards. 

The convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted in Paris in 1972 and provides for the designation of areas of “outstanding universal value to all the peoples of the world” as world Heritage Zone s of UNESCO along with other six monument zones of the Kathmandu Valley on October 1997.

Besides the magnificent tamps and shrines other interesting are various festivals cultural activities and traditions people are following from centuries which are presented in the durbar square; The major festivals include Indrajatra, Dashain, Gaijatra,. Machchhindra-nath Jatra etc. These are the occasion. All the carvings and architecture in this area are exceptionally fine which make the architecture in this Hanuman-Dhoka Durbar Square among the most important sights for travelers to see. In one way all those palace complexes are exhibiting its glory and in other way-they are also the pride of our cultural heritage and the sign of national integrity as well.

Therefore it is our collective duty and responsibility now to preserve them and maintain the environment of those historical and cultural heritages.