Visit of Durbar Square in Kathmandu

You will most likely come to Durbar Square from the tourist enclave of Thamel, so from the north. At first you will see the most beautiful temple in the entire historic zone – Taleju Temple which is almost five hundred years old. It is not normally open to public. It is open for a few days only during religious feast Dasain, but unfortunately only for Hindus. There are then incredible queues.

Good traders make their shops directly on the ground at the small square in front of Taleju Temple. They hope that people waiting in the queue will buy something.

The Square itself mostly looks as a diagonal, in some places wider and in others narrow street. You will be surprised by a small military base here.

Among the local beautiful pagoda-looking temples /see the introductory photo of the photoreport/ you will be impressed already from afar by the shrine of Kal Bhairav, near which there are always many Hindu worshipers and curious tourists.

Most local buildings are a combination of red brick, white stone, beautifully carved wood and gilded temple tips. Most pagodas have three levels.

Durbar Square has an interesting atmosphere – there's a huge flock of flying pigeons and here and there are wandering sacred cows.

The nicest part of Durbar Square is at its widest part, where are three dominant pagoda temples and neighboring Shiva Parvati sometimes also written as Parbati Temple with amazing decorations of carved wood.

The very best thing you can do at Durbar Square is to climb to one of pagoda temple, ideally to big Maju Dewal in the middle and admire the surrounding buildings and the bustle. There is a nice view especially of the neighboring pagoda of Narayan Mohan Temple and Shiva Parvati temple. Directly opposite is a gigantic white building, which doesn’t fit here with its architectural style – a new part of the old Royal Palace (Hanuman Dhoka). Unfortunately, Na­ryan Mohan temple collapsed during an earthquake April 25, 2015.

You may conclude from some views that the historical center would need little more space and it is a shame that new buildings have been built here. Also a pedestrian zone would fit here – you will be sick with the ubiquitous cars and bikes in a while.

Maju Dewal looks great from below. You will definitely not be alone with the idea to climb up to the top. But on the other hand, there are will certainly be no crowds. Unfortunately, Maju Dewal temple collapsed during an earthquake April 25, 2015.

Even from Narayan Mohan Temple there is quite interesting view of the southwestern part of the square.

On the south side of the old royal palace is situated quite bit Basantapur Square. It is absolutely full of souvenir stalls.

It is definitely worth going to Durbar Square twice, once a day and once a night, when it has its own specific atmosphere