Welsh Davids Travel Blog: July - The Kathmandu Durbar

Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage sites the Kathmandu Durbar Square is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City of Nepal.

The Palace Complex was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and is the site of important ceremonies of state. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels an. It houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum. At one time, the square in Kathmandu was the realm of the royal family, for centuries setting the stage for coronations and official happenings. Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah was crowned king in here in 2001, following in a long line of Malla and Shah rulers. Over the various centuries, various rulers made their mark on the square, combining various architecture styles from the east and west. Part of the palace, where the kings ruled and lived, remains open as a museum being first built during the 1600's. The palace is part of the inner square, along with the Hanuman Dhoka, which also served as a royal dwelling place.

Many temples are located in and around Kathmandu Durbar Square. As active religious sites, access is limited to people of different faiths. Even if you can't go inside, you can still admire the architecture, art, and design from the outside. The Taleju temple is one of the oldest, dating to the sixteenth century. Built by Mahendra and dedicated to the goddess Taleju Bhawani, the temple features three roofs and elevated platforms arranged like a pyramid. A temple to the goddess Kumari Gar features carvings of several different deities.