Basantapur Durbar Square

Mar 20, 2018

Basantapur is an old settlement, pretty much preserved to its rustic construction even in the present day. The majority of houses are built from wood, mud and brick and are pagoda style. Basantapur homes an open space or an open courtyard also famous as Basantapur Durbar square, which is also known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar square. The direct translation of the place in English means Basantapur Palace square, which once used to be royal courtyard. Now a UNESCO world heritage site Basantapur Durbar Square is believed to be dated back to the third century.

The area has been restored many time since its construction and till the modern day. Despite many renovation efforts, this heritage still remains a complex structure and a masterpiece of ancient engineering. The lifestyle of the people in this adjoining is as amazing and complex as the historic monument itself. Although being in a very prime area for major trade in Kathmandu, the inhabitants of Basantapur reflect to their age old customs and tradition but only by proportionate population. The reflection is seen in daily life especially in the festive season. The major inhabitants of this surrounding are from the Newar community.
Many of these monuments have been leveled to the ground by the 2015 earthquake. On the other hand, the one’s which survived the devastation are under the process of renovation.

Main Attractions

• Maru Ganesh
• Mahadev Temple
• Shiva Parvati Temple
• Bhagwati Temple
• Old palace
• Saraswoti temple
• Krishna Octangular Temple
• Kal Bhairav
• Jagannath Temple
• Taleju Temple