Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantpur Durbar Square, is a public square in the heart of the busy Kathmandu city. The Durbar square becomes a central historic plaza situated within the dense urban fabric of the city, that dates back to the Licchavi era. The Hanuman Dhoka palace lies in the center of the square, along with many temples. Other public spaces like the sattals, hitis, and mandapas also form an integral part of the square. This UNESCO World Heritage site is now a large marketplace offering views of historic monuments like Gaddi Baithak, Kumari Ghar, Kashtamandapa, etc.  

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The Hanuman Dhoka Palace, named after the Hanuman statue at the main entrance, consists of nine quadrangles, also known as 'chok,' forming one of the largest monuments within the square. Originally built in 1672, the palace was a much larger complex, but it might have been destroyed or damaged during the earthquakes. The palace was occupied by all Malla rulers from the reign of King Ratna Malla onwards and further by the Shah rulers until 1896, when Bikram Shah abandoned it for a new central palace in Narayanhiti. Out of the many choks in the area, the main durbar square is located in Nasal Chok, which hosts most royal ceremonies such as sacred fire rituals, coronations, and yagnas. Nasal Chowk used to host dance-drama performances of mythical folk tales and songs.

 

The sattals here are also three or four-storeyed with intricate wooden details and traditional Newari forms. Some of the examples are:

• Singha Sattal - the Lion Pavilion where we see 19th-century metal statues of lions guarding the entrance.

• Kavindrapur Sattal - the four-storeyed sattal dedicated to King Pratap Malla - also known as Kavindra - Lord of the poets.

• Lakshmi Narayan Sattal - rectangular pagoda-styled structure with carved columns and detailed shrines, roof struts, and reliefs of various Gods and Goddesses, mainly Vishnu and Lakshmi.

• Kashthamandapa or Maru Sattal - Kashthamandapa, meaning "wooden pavilion" - one of the largest columned pavilions constructed in a traditional Newari style, stands on a large brick platform with columns that are 6 meters tall and intricately decorated. While the first reference to the mandapa is seen in a manuscript from 1143, historians are still skeptical about the origins and the actual age of the structure.  

 

Each monument within the square has its own history and myths associated with it. While the list of monuments that make up the Kathmandu Durbar Square is vast, many smaller shrines and larger temples also form a part of the Durbar Square, blending Hinduism and Buddhism - very similar to the other public squares in the country like Patan and Bhaktapur.