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King Pratap Malla (1624 - 1674), of the Malla Dynasty and the ninth king of Kantipur, erected this column in 1670, preceeding two similar columns in Bhaktapur and Patan. The column is topped by a statue of King Pratap Malla and his two wives and five sons.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.<br/><br/> The Nasal Chowk (Courtyard of Dance) derives its name from Nachaleshvar (also Nritshevar), the 'Lord of Dance', a manifestation of Shiva, and there is an inconspicuous shrine to that god on the eastern side of the courtyard. Originally used for dance and theatre performances, at the beginning of the Shah Dynasty, Nasal Chowk became the setting for royal coronations, ceremonies previously held in the adjoining Mul Chowk. In the middle of Nasal Chowk, there is a platform, dating back to 1826, on which King Birendra was officially crowned in 1975 (after having effectively become king in 1972).
The Hindu god Krishna is depicted with Arjuna and Vishvarupa (centre), and on the left with two of his favourite gopini or 'milkmaids', Rukmini and Satyabhama. On the right, there is a royal couple, which in all likelihood represents King Pratapa Malla and his major wife.<br/><br/> The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.<br/><br/> The Nasal Chowk (Courtyard of Dance) derives its name from Nachaleshvar (also Nritshevar), the 'Lord of Dance', a manifestation of Shiva, and there is an inconspicuous shrine to that god on the eastern side of the courtyard. Originally used for dance and theatre performances, at the beginning of the Shah Dynasty, Nasal Chowk became the setting for royal coronations, ceremonies previously held in the adjoining Mul Chowk. In the middle of Nasal Chowk, there is a platform, dating back to 1826, on which King Birendra was officially crowned in 1975 (after having effectively become king in 1972).
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly <i>darbar</i>, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly <i>darbar</i>, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly <i>darbar</i>, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly <i>darbar</i>, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly <i>darbar</i>, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Immediately west of the Royal Palace entrance gate, the rusty-red Jagannath Temple, built in 1653 by Mahendra Malla, enshrines a figure of the Chaturmurti Vishnu, the 'Four-Figured Vishnu'. This particular form of Vishnu is also called Jagannath, 'Lord of the World', and the etymological root of the English word 'juggernaut'.<br/><br/> The main shrine in the Jagannath Temple is accessible only to priests. The large struts under the roof are covered with erotic carvings. These carvings, which are fairly crudely executed, occupy the base of larger and more refined carvings representing gods and goddesses. The latter are dressed in regal finery, adorned with crowns and jewellery, and wear serene expressions on their faces.
Immediately west of the Royal Palace entrance gate, the rusty-red Jagannath Temple, built in 1653 by Mahendra Malla, enshrines a figure of the Chaturmurti Vishnu, the 'Four-Figured Vishnu'. This particular form of Vishnu is also called Jagannath, 'Lord of the World', and the etymological root of the English word 'juggernaut'.<br/><br/> The main shrine in the Jagannath Temple is accessible only to priests. The large struts under the roof are covered with erotic carvings. These carvings, which are fairly crudely executed, occupy the base of larger and more refined carvings representing gods and goddesses. The latter are dressed in regal finery, adorned with crowns and jewellery, and wear serene expressions on their faces.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly <i>darbar</i>, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
In the late 18th century CE, Rana Bahadur Shah, the grandson of Prithvi Narayan Shah, built a Shiva-Parvati Temple on Durbar Square, which was also, in a way, to become a monument to the joys—or vagaries—of married life.<br/><br/> The temple, built on a platform formerly used for dance performances, is dedicated to the divine couple Shiva and Parvati. From an arched, carved window in its upper storey two wooden figures representing Shiva and Parvati look down on the square below. The figures are extraordinarily life-like, and from a distance one may almost be fooled. Their elbows casually rest on the windowsill, and the couple appears the very image of wedded bliss.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Immediately west of the Royal Palace entrance gate, the rusty-red Jagannath Temple, built in 1653 by Mahendra Malla, enshrines a figure of the Chaturmurti Vishnu, the 'Four-Figured Vishnu'. This particular form of Vishnu is also called Jagannath, 'Lord of the World', and the etymological root of the English word 'juggernaut'.<br/><br/> The main shrine in the Jagannath Temple is accessible only to priests. The large struts under the roof are covered with erotic carvings. These carvings, which are fairly crudely executed, occupy the base of larger and more refined carvings representing gods and goddesses. The latter are dressed in regal finery, adorned with crowns and jewellery, and wear serene expressions on their faces.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Immediately west of the Royal Palace entrance gate, the rusty-red Jagannath Temple, built in 1653 by Mahendra Malla, enshrines a figure of the Chaturmurti Vishnu, the 'Four-Figured Vishnu'. This particular form of Vishnu is also called Jagannath, 'Lord of the World', and the etymological root of the English word 'juggernaut'.<br/><br/> The main shrine in the Jagannath Temple is accessible only to priests. The large struts under the roof are covered with erotic carvings. These carvings, which are fairly crudely executed, occupy the base of larger and more refined carvings representing gods and goddesses. The latter are dressed in regal finery, adorned with crowns and jewellery, and wear serene expressions on their faces.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
The Hanuman Dhoka, or royal palace, takes up most of the eastern side of Durbar Square. Built four centuries ago by Nepal's Malla kings, only a small part of the complex is open to the general public. At the left of the entrance stands a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu mythology, after which the palace is named. Within the main courtyard is a likeness of Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Vishnu, disembowelling a demon.
They are known, variously, as sadhus (saints, or 'good ones'), yogis (ascetic practitioners), fakirs (ascetic seeker after the Truth) and sannyasins (wandering mendicants and ascetics). They are the ascetic – and often eccentric – practitioners of an austere form of Hinduism. Sworn to cast off earthly desires, some choose to live as anchorites in the wilderness. Others are of a less retiring disposition, especially in the towns and temples of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley.<br/><br/> If the Vale of Kathmandu seems to boast more than its share of sadhus and yogis, this is because of the number and importance of Hindu temples in the region. The most important temple of Vishnu in the valley is Changunarayan, and here the visitor will find many Vaishnavite ascetics. Likewise, the most important temple for followers of Shiva is the temple at Pashupatinath. Vishnu, also known as Narayan, can be identified by his four arms holding a sanka (sea shell), a chakra (round weapon), a gada (stick-like weapon) and a padma (lotus flower). The best-known incarnation of Vishnu is Krishna, and his animal is the mythical Garuda.<br/><br/> Shiva is often represented by the lingam, or phallus, as a symbol of his creative side. His animal is the bull, Nandi, and his weapon is the trisul, or trident. According to Hindu mythology Shiva is supposed to live in the Himalayas and wears a garland of snakes. He is also said to smoke a lot of bhang, or hashish.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.
Encompassing a former royal palace, a wealth of temples and many other monuments, Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s historic and spiritual centre. The square, after years of neglect, was renovated in 1972-75 in the Hanuman Dhoka Project, initiated after the ascension to the throne of King Birendra.<br/><br/> 'Durbar', or correctly darbar, means royal palace or royal court, but the locals prefer to call the square Hanuman Dhoka, 'Hanuman’s Gate', after the narrow palace gate which is guarded by a crimson-red figure of the monkey god Hanuman. The figure was set up in 1862 to protect the gate from ill luck and enemies of all sorts—or, as the Nepalese chronicles put it, from 'evil spirits, witches, and epidemics, such as smallpox'.<br/><br/> Hanuman is worshipped mainly on account of his bravery and strength, and has often been adopted by Hindu soldiers as their patron deity. In times gone by, fortresses were guarded by images of Hanuman hewn into their walls, and the kings of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur displayed Hanuman figures on their banners.