guarded by two stone lions that are mounted by the god Shiva and
his consort, Parvati. Immediately inside is the biggest of the
Hanuman Dhoka Palace’s chowks (courtyards), Nasal Chowk. This
is where the king’s coronation takes place and where various other
festivities are held. Here we also find the entrance to the Tribhuvan
Museum largely dedicated to the memory of the late king
Tribhuvan. The Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple, with its five
Kathmandu Valley
circular roofs, whose entrance is limited only to priests, lies at the
north-eastern corner of the Nasal chowk.
Basantapur Tower (Attraction type: Lookout) – There are four
towers in the palace. Of these, Basantapur Tower, built by King
Prithvi Narayan Shah around the Lohan Chowk, is the tallest. Mook
Chowk is the courtyard dedicated to the goddess, Taleju Bhawani,
and is used only for religious functions of the palace. Taleju temple,
tallest of all structures built by king Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D.
Kumari Ghar (Attraction type: Religious site) – 17th century Kumari
temple, an example of the highly developed Nepalese temple craft.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
It the house of the Royal Kumari acknowledged to be a Living
Goddess. The building has profusely carved wooden balconies and
window screens. Two painted stone lions stand guard at the
entrance. Visitors may enter the courtyard to see Kumari, but are
forbidden to take photographs.
Shiva Parvati Temple House (Attraction type: Religious site) – lies
on the left as one walks into the Durbar Square from Kumari Bahal.
The celestial couple carved in wood look down into the street
from the central window on the upper floor. They are overlooking
the place, have a look where Shiva is holding his left hand! Again
Kumari Ghar this Temple has fantastic carved windows and two lions guarding
the entrance.
Maju Deval (Attraction type: Religious site) – This Temple is
dedicated to Shiva and inside you will find a famous Lingam. The
temple is set atop nine levels of plinth. The steps of this temple is
a favourite place to sit and watch the daily life.. Both locals and
tourists can be found reposing against the many levels of platforms
watching the bustle of the crowd below or even enjoying a siesta.
Gadhi Baithak – stands out very conspicuously, or rather,
Shiva Parvati Temple House
incongruously in the same square with its neoclassical European
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CHAPTER 2 : TOURISM PRODUCTS AND INFRASTRUCTURES 6
