Kathmandu Durbar Square is the best place to visit for international or domestic tourism, located also within walking distance from Thamel. It is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that the kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see there are: Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Drum, and the Jagannath Temple. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument Lost in 1979.
On the right-hand corner, a large wooden lattice screen hides an enormous gilded face of Sweta Bhairav. The screen is removed only during the Indra Jatra festival. There are also the Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Place building photography is prohibited inside the museums. Both museums remain closed on Sundays, Mondays, and government holidays.
What We Can See More In Durbar Square Area:
Temple of Kumari (Kumari Ghar): Kumari (Vestal Virgin), or Living Goddess, who presents a very ancient Hindu deity of Nepal locally known as Taleju, is Buddhist by birth, The temple of Kumari is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman Dhoka Place. The building has intricately carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari acknowledges greetings from her balcony window. Once a year during the Indra Jatra festival, the King of Nepal seeks Kumari’s blessing.
Kasthamanda: Located near the temple of Kumari, it is said to have been built by King Laxmi Narsingha Malla at the beginning of the sixteenth century. It is said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree. The city of Kathmandu derives its name from this temple.
Ashok Vinayak: The small but very important temple of Ashok Vinayak is situated behind the Kasthamandap. It is also known as Kathmandu Ganesh or Maru Ganesh.
Jaishi Dewal: A five-minute walk from Kasthmandap is the Shiva Temple of Jaishi Dewal which is famous for its erotic carvings. It is still one of the main routes of the chariot festival of Indra Jatra and other festivals.
Tundukhel: A huge green field known as Tundikhel flanks one entire side of the old city. Some of the important landmarks of the Kathmandu Valley are located in the periphery of this area. At the south-western end of Tundikhel is 59.29m. Tower built by Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832 A. D. known as Dharahara of Bhimsen Stambha. The Sundhata fountains with golden water spouts, situated at the foot of this great tower, also belong to the same period.
Martyr’s Memorial (Sahid Gate): It is located between Bhimsen Stambha and Bhadrakali temple. The memorial arch contains the statue of the late King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Dev and the busts of four martyrs.
Bhadrakali Temple: At the eastern edge of the Tundikhel, near Shahid Gate, stands the temple of goddess Bhadrakali. This temple is also known asLumarthi temple and is one of the main “Shakti” temples of Kathmandu city.