1. Jan-Feb 2011

HERITAGE
The Kumari Bahal built in the style of a Buddhist Bahal, was built by
the last Malla ruler of Kathmandu, Jayaprakash Malla
The towers of Basantapur Chowk (Lohan Chowk)
as seen from Nasal Chowk. The Stone Dabali at
the centre was used for Royal Coronations during
Shah times.
Malla in the memory of his stage performance as Narasimha. An interesting element at the palace
complex is the structure used for water supply, on which are engraved words in multiple languages
including Arabic, Persian and French. Another stone pillar was installed in B.S. 1720, in front of the
Taleju Temple with the images of Pratap Malla, his mother and his two sons, Nipendra Malla and
Chandravartendra Malla.
Besides building, Pratap Malla was also a fond collector of antiquities. The snake image at the pond
inside Bhandarkhal and the stone lions in front of Taleju and at the palace gate were all brought
from Bhaktapur during his attacks. Similarly, the images of sleeping Vishnu at Bhandarkhal,
Kaliya-Daman at Sundar Chowk and Kal-Bhairav were all collected from different parts of the Valley.
Clearly the reign of Pratap Malla has been one of the most prominent times in the construction of
the Hanumabdhokha palace.
Pratap Malla was succeeded by his son Nipendra Malla, but in his short and unstable term as
king, he was unable to make any architectural contribution. After his demise his younger brother
Parthivendra Malla rose to the throne. In his term, King Parthivendra constructed the temple of
Trailokyamohan Narayan in the memory of his brother Nipendra Malla; his only other contribution
to the expansion of the palace was a stone pillar in front of Taleju with his self image along with the
images of his son Bhupalendra, mother Indramati and two queens Rajyalaxmi and Riddhilaxmi.
After Nipendra Malla the next two rulers of Kathmandu started their rule in infancy. Both
Bhupalendra Malla and Bhaskar Malla were very young when they ascended to the throne.
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