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| Next we headed to Kathmandu in holiday traffic |
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| Dharahara Tower (1832, rebuilt 2018-2021 after the 2015 earthquake) was originally a military watchtower (KSS) |
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| Durbar High School (est 1854 as an English high school for royalty, opened to the public in 1902, rebuilt 2002 after the 2015 earthquake); on the wall note the six-pointed stars called shatkona, a Hindu symbol representing the union of Purusha (the supreme being), and Prakriti (mother nature) (KSS) |
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| This time for lunch we also had momos/dumplings that were more traditionally shaped than in Tibet, served with a spicy hot "sauce" |
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| We walked through a jewelry district to Durbar Square |
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| Yes, this is Kathmandu's royal palace in their Durbar/Palace Square |
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| Hanuman Dhoka/royal palace (founded 4-8 CE, expanded 17C) once had 17 courtyards, now 10 |
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| Carved wooden windows and Naga/serpent decoration (KSS) |
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| The palace has four towers around the Lohan Chowk/courtyard, each in a unique style and representing four ancient cities of the Kathmandu Valley; this is the eight-sided Bhaktapur Tower |
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| Patan/Lalitpur Tower (SE corner) (KSS) |
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| Kirtipur Tower with a copper roof dome on the NW corner (KSS) |
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| Basantapur (Kathmandu) Tower is on the SW corner, but is seen here from another courtyard/Nasal Chowk |
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| Lohan Chowk carved wooden windows (KSS) |
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| Lohan Chowk is named for this particular stone that serves as an aniconic (no image) place of worship, and also covers an image of a tortoise placed as part of the foundation-laying ceremony |
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| Now in Nasal Chowk with more carved windows and an open veranda with a throne |
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| The throne of the Malla kings |
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| Nasal Chowk doorway with eyes |
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| Shrine to the Dancing Shiva; Nasal means dancing in Nepali |
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| I think there is a relief of a dancing Shiva behind the bell chain (KSS) |
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| The palanquin that carried Queen Aishwarya to her wedding to soon-to-be King Birendra in 1970 |
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| The palanquin that carried Queen Aishwarya to her cremation in 2001 after she along with eight other members of the royal family were massacred under mysterious circumstances; although it appeared that the right-handed crown prince did the shooting, then shot himself in the left-side of his head; meanwhile, the man who ended up becoming king was absent from the family event |
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| Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple with five circular roofs in pagoda style |
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| Tamiko & Kent with a palace guard in vintage uniform, and yes, they all wear yellow socks |
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| Statue (1673) of Narsingha, Vishnu in his man-lion incarnation disemboweling a demon (KSS) |
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| Platform in the center of Nasal Chowk was used for coronations |
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| Back in Durbar Square, Kumari Bahal (1757), home of Kumari, a girl selected to be town's living goddess and symbol of devi/Hindu female spiritual energy |
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| Kumari shows herself at the golden- framed window for a two hours each day |
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| The chariot that carries Kumari during the Indra Jatra Festival sits behind these doors to the right of her abode |
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| Trailokya Mohan Narayan Temple was rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake, as well as its twin to the north, Maju Dega Temple (KSS) |
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| Gaddhi Baithak (1908, in neoclassical style that was popular during the Rana dynasty), part of the royal palace |
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| Furniture delivery service |
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| Shiva-Parvati Temple (18C, survived the 2015 earthquake) has white figures of Shiva and his consort Parvati in an upstairs window |
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| The Kathmandu Durbar Square is more of an L-shape, and we have turned right along the west wall of the palace to see the pagoda of the Bhagwati Temple |
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| The shops below Bhagwati Temple sell paubha/the Nepali/Newari equivalent of Tibetan thangkas |
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| King Pratap Malla Column (1670) in front of Jagannath Temple, with multiple other temples |
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| Jagannath Temple (c 1653) |
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| Image of Seto/White Bhairava behind the grille of a pavilion facing the King Pratap Malla Column |
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| Butter lamps in front of Kala/Black Bhairava |
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| Kala/Black Bhairava, which is supposed to be carved from a single stone; it is also said that if you tell a lie while standing in front of him, then instant death |
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| Kageswor Mahadev Temple (1711, rebuilt after 1934 earthquake) |
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| Narayana Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is an example of the most common type of temple |
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| Kotilingeshwar Mahadev Temple (16C, in gumbhaj style) is dedicated to Shiva |
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| In the second story open area are the Great Drums that were used to warn the city of danger |
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| The octagonal Vamshal Gopal Temple (rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake) is dedicated to Krishna |
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| Lakshmi Narayan Sattal/pilgrim's hostel with markey |
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| Kasthamandap/Wooden Pavilion was rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake, and serves as a marketplace, council hall, pilgrim's rest house, and social center; it is said the original was built from the wood of a single Shorea robusta/Sal Tree in 1200 CE |
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| Sugar cane and fruit stand |
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| Snack shop; chips were sold in pillows of air, which seemed to help keep them whole |
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| Checked into The Soaltee Kathmandu Hotel |
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| Hotel room |
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| Hotel bathroom |
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| Tub and shower |
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