Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the major attractions
in
Kathmandu Valley. The word Durbar Square translated
in English as Palace Complex. The Durbar Square, with
its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious
and cultural life of the people.
Interesting things to see here are:-
Kumari (The Living Goddess) Gar:
At the West end of the square, is a beautiful house
full of woodcarving of different God and Goddesses.
This Palace is three storied and in this palace, lives
the very famous living Goddess Kumari. Both Hindus
and Buddhists equally venerate her. For Hindus she
is the reincarnation of Hindu Goddess Kali. She is
equally worshiped by Buddhists because she is chosen
from Buddhist family. This shows the harmony between
Buddhist and Hindus in Nepal.
Kastha Mandap:
One of the popular temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square
is Kashamandap locally knows as Maru Sattal. It is
believed that the name of Kathmandu City is derived
from the name of this temple. Kastha means wood and
Mandap means pavilion. And it is said that this temple
is built by one single Sal (sorea robusta) tree. At
the center of this temple, one can see the statue
of a Hindu God Gorakhnath and in the four corners
of the temple one can see Ganesh Statues.
Maru Ganesh:
Small yet the most visited temple of Kathmandu is
Maru Ganesh. The people of Kathmandu valley believe
that the four Ganesh in four corners of Kathmandu
valley protect the peoples living in Kathmandu. Every
day people go to worship this temple and especially
on Tuesdays one can see a long queue of people waiting
for hours to worship. Tuesday is considered the day
of Ganesh.
Other interesting things to see here are Mahadev
Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Old
palace, Saraswoti temple, Krishna Octangular Temple,
Big drums, Kal Bhairav, Jagannath Temple, and Taleju
Temple etc..