Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square, known locally as Hanuman Dhoka, is the historic seat of Nepal's royalty and one of seven monument zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. The square is a masterpiece of Newari architecture spanning centuries of artistic achievement.

Key monuments include the Taleju Temple (the tallest building in the square, open to Hindus once a year during Dashain), the Kumari Ghar (home of the living goddess Kumari), the nine-storey Basantapur tower, and numerous temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and other deities.

The 2015 earthquake caused significant damage, but reconstruction has restored many structures. The square remains the vibrant heart of Kathmandu's old city, surrounded by narrow lanes filled with shops, and comes alive during festivals like Indra Jatra when the Kumari is paraded through the streets in a chariot.

Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds. The surrounding Asan and Indrachowk bazaar areas are worth exploring for traditional Newari urban life.