Kathmandu Durbar Square Guide

Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is one of three durbar (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, still take place today. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum. It is also possible to visit the State Rooms inside the palace. At the southern end of Durbar Square is one of the most curious attractions in Nepal, the Kumari Chowk. This gilded cage contains the Raj Kumari, a young girl chosen through an ancient and mystical selection process to become the human incarnation of the Hindu mother goddess, Durba. She is worshipped during religious festivals and makes public appearances at other times for a fee paid to her guards.
Air: Kathmandu International Airport. Road: Coach: Services from Darjeeling, Calcutta and Varanasi (India). Car: Prithvi Highway (from Pokhara).

Department of Archaeology, Hanumandhoka Section, Ramshah Path, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (01) 250 683 or 250 685

Nepal Tourism Board
Bhrikuti Mandap, PO Box 11018, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (01) 256 909 or 256 229. Fax: (01) 256 910. E-mail: info@ntb.wlink.com.np
Website: www.welcomenepal.com
Royal Nepalese Embassy
12a Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QU, UK
Tel: (020) 7229 1594 or 7229 5352. Fax: (020) 7221 9861. E-mail: rnelondon@btconnect.com or info@nepembassy.org.uk
Website: www.nepembassy.org.uk

Nepal