Kathmandu
हनुमान धोकाको दरबार
The living heart of old Kathmandu — Hanuman Dhoka palace, Kumari Ghar, and Malla-era temples in one royal square.
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Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur) is the old royal palace quarter of the Malla and Shah kings — Hanuman Dhoka, Kumari Ghar, and pagoda temples in a UNESCO-listed living city square.
Kumari Ghar, Hanuman Dhoka, Shiva Parvati Temple, Indra Jatra, Taleju shrine.
Seat of Malla kings; coronation site of Shah dynasty; heart of Kathmandu Valley urban culture.
Morning square walk → Kumari courtyard → Hanuman Dhoka Museum wings. Pair with Asan bazaar lunch.
Welcome to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Every carved strut has seen a coronation, a festival, or a whispered prayer. Look up — the roofs tell the story.
At a Glance
Location
Kathmandu, Bagmati Province
Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Palace
Hanuman Dhoka (old royal court)
Living goddess
Kumari Ghar
Festivals
Indra Jatra, Dashain
Best time
Morning or Indra Jatra (Sep)
Heritage
Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur) was the seat of Malla and later Shah royalty. Pagoda temples, the Kumari residence, and palace courtyards survive alongside post-earthquake reconstruction. The square remains a stage for Indra Jatra and daily Newar life — artisans, flower sellers, and devotees crossing the same stones their ancestors walked.
Visual Journey
Sacred Calendar
Major observances on the valley ritual calendar.
Suggested Schedule
Half day to explore temples, museums, and Kumari courtyard.
Heritage walk
Morning light on pagoda roofs; fewer crowds.
Watch for living goddess appearance at selected windows.
Palace wings and historical collections.
Practical Information
Entry
Site ticket
Valid for several days
Footwear
Shoes off
At active shrine thresholds
Kumari
No photos
Of the living goddess
Note
Rebuilding
Some monuments post-2015 quake
20–30 min walk via Asan or taxi to Basantapur gate.
Buses to Ratna Park / Basantapur from ring road.
Extend Your Journey
Other Bagmati Valley World Heritage sites within easy reach.
From the Community
Walks through Basantapur, festivals, and street life around Hanuman Dhoka.
These videos are shared by devotees and travelers. They are not official productions of the heritage programme.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath is Nepal's holiest Hindu shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the pagoda temple and cremation ghats draw pilgrims from across South Asia, especially during Maha Shivaratri.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square preserves Malla-era Newar architecture at its most complete — the 55 Window Palace, Golden Gate, Taumadhi's Nyatapola Temple, and living craft squares.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur is a UNESCO site famed for Newar art — Krishna Mandir, the Patan Museum, and CyArk 3D heritage documentation of palace architecture.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Swayambhunath is an ancient Buddhist stupa overlooking Kathmandu Valley — the 'Monkey Temple' where painted eyes, prayer flags, and shared Hindu-Buddhist devotion crown a forested hill.
