Overview
Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swayambhunath Half Day Tour
Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath, two iconic religious sites with rich history and breathtaking views in our half day tour.
Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantapur Durbar and Hanuman Dhoka, is an old durbar square in Kathmandu’s city center. In the heart of old Kathmandu city, Basantapur never fails to impress first time visitors with its intricate wood carvings and rich history. Hanuman Dhoka was built during the Licchavi period (4th to 8th centuries AD), and King Pratap Malla extended the property significantly in the 17th century. With the highest concentration of old structures, the square is home to several palaces, courtyards, and temples. It is also known as “the Museum of Temples” because there are over 50 temples in the square. Handicraft shops may be found in the courtyards around Gaddi Baithak, where you can see a variety of attractive purchasable handicrafts.
Among the 50 temples that lie in the vicinity, lies the temple of the titular deity, Taleju Bhawani. The Durbar is divided into two courtyards, the outer Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati Temple, and the inner section consisting of Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace. Some floors have been converted to museums dedicated to three generations of Shah kings of Nepal. Most parts of the palace premises are open to tourists throughout the week.
This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples like Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (Abode of the Living Goddess), Taleju temple, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla Kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17h -century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city
Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar Squares of Kathmandu Valley. The Malla king Pratap Malla erected the statue of Hanuman (the Hindu god of power) in this place and it was named Hanuman Dhoka. Taleju Temple, Tribhuvan Museum, the house of Kumari (Living Goddess), Kasthamandap, the temple of Kal Bhairav along with few other temples are some places to explore.
The following sites offer a glimpse of the culture, religion and history of the Nepal Kingdom.
- Taleju Temple
- Kal Bhairab (God of Destruction) Statue
- Nautalle Durbar
- Nasal Chowk
- The Gaddi Baithak
- The Statue of King Pratap Malla
- The Big Bell
- Big Drum
- The Jagnnath Temple
BASANTAPUR DURBAR: This nine story tower offers a great view of the palace and the city. On a cleard ay, the awe inspiring Himalayas can also be glanced at from the top of this tower. The struts on the facade of the tower have erotic carvings on them. Apart from the Basantpur tower, there are three other towers constructed by King Prithivi Narayan. The names being Kirtipur tower, the Bhaktpur tower or Lakshmi Bilas and the Patan or Laitpur tower.
TALEJU TEMPLE: The Taleju Temple is the tallest of all structures, built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD. This temple is open to the public for one day each year during the Dashain festival.
KUMARI TEMPLE: The 17th century Kumari Temple, or the temple of Living Goddess is an example of highly developed Nepali craftsmanship. This is the official residence of Living Goddess Kumari of Kathmandu. Visitors can get a peek of the living goddess and seek blessings during special hours.
KUMARI TEMPLE – The Kumari : Living Goddess” is a young girl who is believed to be the incarnation of the demon-slaying Hindu goddess Durga. Dating back at least to the Middle Ages, the cult of the Kumari is popular among both Hindus and Nepalese Buddhists – another notable example of the mingling of religious traditions in Nepal. There are about 11 kumaris across Nepal, but the Kumari Devi (or Raj Kumari – royal goddess) in Kathmandu is the most important.
The selection process for finding the Kumari Devi resembles that of the Tibetan lamas, who are believed to be reincarnations of their predecessors. She is chosen from girls aged three to five in the Buddhist Shakya clan. Elders meet with hundreds of girls, approving only those with 32 auspicious signs of divinity (mostly to do with natural perfection and symbolically significant features). The girls’ horoscopes are also checked to ensure they are compatible with those of the current king. The best time to see the living goddess Kumari in Kathmandu, Nepal’s Durbar Square is between 9–11 AM and 4–6 PM.
Photography, Taking photos or videos of the Kumari is not allowed. However, you can take photos of the courtyard when she is not present
JAGANNATH TEMPLE: Built in the 16th century, the Jagannath Temple is known for the fascinating erotic figures carved on the wooden struts.
NASAL CHOWK: This lovely courtyard inside the main entrance will be your first experience of the historic royal residence. Nasal Chowk was built during the Malla dynasty, although many of the structures in the area were built during the Rana period. Nasal Chowk was utilized for coronations throughout the Rana regime, and the practice persisted until 2001.
NARSINGHA STATUE: Narsingha is thought to be Lord Vishnu in his man-lion avatar, disemboweling a demon. Pratap Malla erected the stone image in 1673, and according to the inscription on the monument, he did so out of fear of upsetting Vishnu by dancing in a Narsingha attire.
SWET BHAIRAV: Swet Bhairav is a statue of Bhairav, avatar of Shiva. This Bhairav temple is open to the public once in year during the festival of Indra Jatra during August-September.
SHISHA BAITHAK: Shisha Baithak is an open patio with the Malla throne on display, and pictures of the Shah kings.
TRIBHUWAN MUSEUM: Along with memorials to Kings Mahendra and Birendra, the Tribhuwan Museum commemorates King Tribhuvan and his successful insurrection against their regime. The museum exhibits the king’s bedroom and study, complete with real personal belongings that provide a surreal look into his existence. The king’s boxing gloves, the walking staff with a spring-loaded sword hidden inside, and his dusty, empty aquarium provide some mysterious moments. There are several spectacular thrones, numerous hunting photographs, and the typical coin collection on display.
Mul Chowk: Dedicated to Taleju Bhawani, the goddess of the royal Malla family, Mul Chowk courtyard was dedicated to religious activities.
Mohan Chowk : Next we reach the Mohan Chowk . This site is only for seeing fronm a distance. The residential courtyard of the Malla Kings was bulit in 1649. It is a protected site and so cannot be therefore entered.
KAL BHAIRAB: The Kal Bhairav is one of the largest 17th century stone statues in Kathmandu, representing the terrifying aspect of Lord Shiva.
Swayambhunath Temple:
It is the oldest Buddhist shrine. Looking east from here, one can see the almost entire Kathmandu valley spread out below. Swayambhunath is a best place to observe religious harmony between Nepalese Buddhists and Hindus. The stupa is one of the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers come from diverse ethical backgrounds. Situated on the top of a hill. It provides an excellent view of the Katmandu Valley. Huge prayer wheels and fine Buddhist paintings are displayed in the monasteries as well as the largest Buddha statue in the country.
Swoyambhunath literally means ‘Self-Existent One.’ Swoyambhunath is believed to have been established more than 2,500 years ago. An inscription dated 460 A.D. states that the construction was carried out by King Manadeva. By the thirteenth century Swoyambhunath had developed into an important Buddhist learning site.
This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. Swayambhu literally means “self-existent one”. Believed to date back to 460 A.D., it was built by King Manadeva and by the 13th century, it had become an important center of Buddhism.
Find peace and prayers on the little hillock of Swaymbhunath northwest of Kathmandu Valley. The Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath, situated on the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu, is one of the most popular, holiest and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the ‘monkey temple’ because of the large tribe of roving monkeys who guard the temple.
Swayambhu literally means “self-existent one”. Believed to date back to 460 A.D., it was built by King Manadeva and by the 13th century, it had become an important center of Buddhism. Legend has it that Swayambhu was born out of a lotus flower that bloomed in the middle of a lake that once spread across the Kathmandu Valley once was. The largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal sits on a high pedestal on the western boundary of Swayambhu beside the Ring Road. Behind the hilltop is a temple dedicated to Manjusri or Saraswati – the Goddess of learning. Chaityas, statues and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu deities fill the stupa complex. The base of the hill is almost entirely surrounded by prayer wheels and deities. Devotees can be seen circumambulating the stupa at all times.
Exceedingly steep stone steps that lead up to the shrine is quite a challenge. However, there is also a motor road going up almost to the top from where it is a short walk. A large number of Buddhists and Hindus alike visit Swayambhu throughout the day. This shrine is perhaps the best place to observe religious harmony in Nepal. The largest crowds of people are seen here on Buddha’s birthday which usually falls in May each year.
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