Hanuman Dhoka Complex, Nepal

    Before you get to know the history of the complex itself, it is very important to shed light on Hanuman itself and the legend behind him. Hanuman is the ape leader in Indian epic poetry, the Ramayana. In one story, Hanuman leads an army of monkeys fighting for the hero Rama. The events of the story revolve around that the god Rama and the god Ron had quarreled, and in order for Ron to take revenge on Rama, he kidnapped his beautiful wife, Sita, and took her to the island of Sri Lanka or Ceylon, but the monkey Hanuman took him by jealousy for Rama, so he ran, and penetrated the sea until he reached Ceylon Island and placed Sita, Rama's wife On the back, then back out to Rama.

     God Hanuman was created by Brahma in the form of a monkey and he was raised as a monkey. Since the god Hanuman is a monkey, Hinduism reveres the monkeys a wondrous reverence forbids harming a monkey, and it must be fed every morning. Hindus believe that the spirit of the monkey is part of the spirit of the god Hanuman Mottel and the monkeys who were the army of the god Rama in the Ramayana epic. The Hanuman Monkey Temple is located in the city of Lucknow, the capital of the state of Atraradish, whose name means the northern state. The Hindus who worship this deity have a strange ritual, including that they crawl on their stomachs in the streets and on the asphalt of the streets until they reach the temple and do not use their hands or feet.  

     Since the beginning, the center of the city has been a royal palace that is in the heart of the city. Since the Licchavi period, this palace was of high importance to all of the ancient rulers. Currently, the area around the site of the Hanumandhoka is called" Kiligrama". However, before that specifically in the medieval period, the palace was called "Kantipur” which means ' the city of light'.  Ranta Malla (1482) was the first king to rule Kathmandu. Despite the fact that he powerfully ruled, all the credit for founding Kathmandu goes to king Gunkamdeva. 

    The palace complex of Hanumandhoka and other monuments were established during the 15th ad 20th centuries. All the kings that ruled Kathmandu from king Ranta Malla to Prithivi Bir Bikram Shah helped in adding or at least repairing or renovating some parts of the complex. However, the most noted contributions were those of Mahendra Malla, Pratap Malla, and Prithvi Narayan Shah. The first had built  Kotilingeshvar, Jagannath, Taleju, and Mahendreshvar temples which still exist till today. 

    The second had built many monuments such as the image of Hanuman, Kalvairab, Swaitvairab, and famous Sundari Chowk and Mohankali Chowk. As for the last, he built Basantapur Nine Storied Palace in this complex. The site was severely damaged by the 2015 earthquake that struck the area, although repairs have restored many buildings and strengthened others. It was originally built with only one wing from the present area in the mid-16th century, and the rest of the complex was added to a building by Kings and Ministers over the next three centuries.

    The gate is the entrance to the palace and where you will find the one and only statue of Hanuman (monkey god) that dates back to 1672 guarding the palace. The Statue is covered with red cloth and an umbrella. The face of the statue is colored with red paste .The complex is a small area in Dunbar Square; this place is considered as an internal palace complex and was originally established during the Litchiha period (4th - 8th century AD). The structure that exists today was built by King Pratap Mala in the 17th century. The Reason behind giving the palace this name is Hanuman's assistance to Rama the Nobel. According to the legends, Hanuman’s assistance to Rama during the incidents of Ramayana has been the reason for the appearance of the Monkey god that guards many important entrances.  

    On entering the complex with the statue of Hanuman guarding it, one can see on the left is a stone sculpture dated to 1673 of Lord Narasimha (the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu), devouring the demon Hiranyakashipu, which is built by Pratap Malla. The complex contains the following:  

- Nasal Chok: 'Nasal' means the 'dancing one' and it is found ahead of the main entrance next to the Hanuman Temple. It is named after the image of dancing Shiva that is found on the eastern side of the square. When you go a bit to the south side of the courtyard, you will find the nine-story Basantapur Tower. Though the courtyard was built during the Malla era, the widows, the doorways and most of the buildings around the courtyard depict the features of Rana rulers. The courtyard of Nasa Chok is rectangular and is located in the north-southern of the entrance and near it you will find a doorway with carvings of four gods that take you directly to the apartment of Malla King. On the eastern wall shines a golden image of Maha Vishnu in an open veranda. The Basantapur Tower (‘Basantpur’ means “place of Spring”) is located on the south of Nasal Chok which is one of the four towers that were built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah.  

- Mul Chok: This courtyard is dedicated to Taleju Bhawani, who is Malla family tutelary goddess. It is a courtyard with two-story buildings and they are all round and they are dedicated to religious rites. Having a golden door. Taleju Temple is located on the south of the courtyard. The entrance is filled with images of Ganges ' the river goddess. The temple is triple- roofed and it is built by Shiva Singh Malla.  

- Mohan Chok: It was built in 1649 to the north of Nasal Chok. It served as the residential courtyard of Malla King. According to Malla Kings, it was mandatory to be born in this courtyard to inherit the throne.

- If you choose to head to the western side of the Nasal Chok you will find the Tribhuwan Museum. The museum exhibits items that once belonged to the grandfather of king Birenda including many stone carvings, weapons, and jewels used for the coronation, furniture, and a coin collection. Moreover, you will find the King's bedroom and personas stuff preserved there. This part was built in the 19th century by the Ranas. Additionally, in the southeast of the courtyard, there is a King Mahendra memorial museum where two museums are on display.  

    The whole area contains monuments, temples, waterspouts, and gardens with open spaces. The complex is also surrounded by many temples of Pagoda, Sikharas, and Dome architectural styles. The Palace is full of cultural diversity and historical, religious, and architectural values to the extent that it was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1979. Represented as an open-air museum here are more than ten courtyards. Four courtyards have been already opened for the general public. Now three memorial museum galleries and many sections have been exhibited with basic amenities to the general public as well as tourists. Cameras are prohibited in this place, but not inside the complex.