Hanumandhoka

Hanuman Dhoka is the urban, social and religious central point of Kathamandu, Nepal. It is the former Royal Fortress of the Malla Kings and successively of the Shah Dynasty in Katmandu, Nepal. The palace has numerous complexes linked together taking up about five acres of land. Nevertheless, the eastern portion of the fortress was constructed in the middle of the sixteenth century and also it is the oldest wing of the fort and has ten courtyards.

In the seventeenth century King Pratap Malla expanded the original building, and added various place of worship. The north wing of the palace is also one of the oldest parts of the Fort which is called as the Sunadri Chowk and Mohan Chowk, which are now both closed.

The fortress was last resided in by the regal family until 1886, when the regal residence was moved to the Narayan Hitti Palace, which is in the northern part of Kathamandu. The old ancient fortress still has its ceremonial and ritual significance and the King of Nepal is crowned and various other ceremonies are enacted here.

Nevertheless, when you enter the fortress through the Hanuman Dhoka- Hanuman gate to the left of the fortress is a seventeenth century idol of Lord Hanuman. Hanuman service to lord Rama as illustrated in the holy book Ramayan has led to Hanuman standing at the entrance of the fortress guarding it. The idol of Lord Hanuman dates from 1672 and is wrapped by a red color cloth and has an umbrella over his head. Although the face of Lord Hanuman is further coated by a red paste put on by the visitors.

At the left is a fascinating statue of Lord Narsimha, the half man and the half lion incarnation of the Lord Vishnu, ripping apart devil Hiranyakasyap.