Bhandarkhal Pokhari

Bhandarkhal Pokhari is a secluded royal reservoir tucked behind the southern wing of Patan Durbar Square's palace complex. The name derives from bhandar (storehouse) and khal (pond), referencing its original function as both a water store and a private retreat for the Malla kings of Lalitpur. Shaded by towering trees and enclosed by high brick walls, the tank feels like a secret garden in the middle of one of Asia's most densely built medieval cities.

The pond complex includes a beautifully carved hiti (stone waterspout) with a gilded makara (mythical sea creature) from which water still flows, and a sunken stone bath used by the royal family for ritual ablutions. A small shrine to Laxmi-Narayan sits at the water's edge. The surrounding garden, which once supplied flowers for palace pujas and herbs for the royal kitchen, is now maintained as a quiet heritage park where visitors can rest away from the crowds of the Durbar Square.

Bhandarkhal Pokhari is accessible through the Patan Museum courtyard (the entry fee is included in the Patan Durbar Square ticket). It is easy to miss — look for the small gate at the southern end of the Keshav Narayan Chowk. Allow 15–20 minutes to enjoy the garden alongside a museum visit. The pond is especially atmospheric in the early morning, when mist sometimes hangs over the water and birdsong fills the garden.