TheNarayanhiti Palace Museum(Nepali:नारायणहिटी दरवार) is a public museum inKathmandu,Nepal[1]located east of theKaiser Mahaland next toThamel.[2]The museum was created in 2008 from the complex of the formerNarayanhiti Palace(orNarayanhiti Durbar) following the2006 revolution.[1]Before the revolution, the palace was the residence and principal workplace of themonarchof theKingdom of Nepal,and hosted occasions of state.[3][4][5]
| Narayanhiti Royal Palace | |
|---|---|
नारायणहिटी दरवार(Nepali) | |
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Kathmandu |
| Country | Nepal |
| Construction started | 1963 AD |
| Client | Dhokal Singh Basnyat,King Mahendra,Bir Shumsher JBR |
| Owner | Government of Nepal |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Brick and Mortar |
| Size | 38 acres (15 ha) or 753 ropanis |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Benjamin Polk |
The existing palace complex was built by order of KingMahendrain 1963, and incorporates an impressive array of courtyards, gardens and buildings.[2]
Etymology
editThe name,Narayanhitiis made up of two words 'Narayana' and 'Hiti'. Narayan is the Hindu godVishnu,whose temple is opposite the palace.Hitimeans "water spout" inNewar,which is to the east of the main entrance in the precincts of the palace, a landmark that features prominentlyin local legends.[6]
History
editEarly residences
editOwnership of the palace site changed multiple times prior to being occupied by the monarchy.Prime MinisterFateh Jung Shah;his father, Choutaria Pran Shah, also lived on the property.[2]Fateh was killed in theKot massacreon 19 September 1846 and his family was killed or exiled from Kathmandu.[2]Prime MinisterChautariya Pushkar Shahand his family also lived in the area. The area was basically reserved for Chautariya families.
The property and palace was taken over by ColonelRanodip Singh Kunwar,the brother ofJung Bahadur Rana,who moved into Choutaria's residence after minor renovations. After Ranodip became prime minister in 1877, the complex was renovated and expanded into a lavishmulti-wingpalace.[2]Ranodip was assassinated during thecoup d'étaton 22 November 1885 in the palace's southern wing.[2][7]
Royal residence
editBir Shumsher Jang Bahadur Ranasucceeded Ranodip as Prime Minister and took over the palace. In 1886, Bir Shumsher ordered the old palace demolished, and a new one constructed by architectJogbir Sthapitas a residence for KingPrithvi Bir Bikram Shah,his son-in-law. This moved the royal residence fromHanuman Dhoka Durbarto Narayanhiti.[2]
The palace was damaged in the1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake,killing two infant daughters of KingTribhuvan.Colonel Surya Jung Thapa, an engineer, oversaw repairs and renovations which added a newporticoand grand staircase.[2]
KingMahendraordered the palace to be demolished and replaced in 1963. The new palace was designed by American architectBenjamin Polk,who was living inIndia.Nepalese architecture styles were used to create a national symbol.[8][9][10]Construction ended in 1969.Griha Pravesh(ahousewarming party) was performed on 27 February 1970 for theweddingofCrown PrinceBirendra.[9]
Mahendra declared the palace as king office and property of theGovernment of Nepalin 1972. He claimed that the property was thedowryof QueenDivyeshwari,his paternal grandmother.[2]
Speculations: On 1 June 2001, the Crown PrinceDipendramurderedmultiple members of the royal family in the palace before committing suicide. Among those killed were KingBirendraand QueenAishwarya.[11]
Revolution and reuse as a museum
editThe Nepalese monarchy was abolished following the2006 revolution.The last king,Gyanendra,vacated Narayanhiti on 11 June 2008. The former palace was used to house the new Narayanhiti Palace Museum.[1]The royalcrown jewelswere put on display in October 2018.[1]
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Old Narayanhiti Palace ca 1920, demolished in 1958 -
Legendary water spout -
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7th Century Garuda outside Narayan Temple in Narayanhiti palace premises
Grounds
editDesign and layout
editThe current Palace was ordered to be renovated by King Mahendra under the design of American architect Benjamin Polk. Some notable spots in the palace include the:
- Gates and boundary walls
- Courtyards and fountains
- Military Barrack
- Helipads
- Garage
Mahendra Manzil
Mahendra Manzil was the palace of King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah, the son of King Tribhuwan Bir Bikram Shah.
Hindu Temple Spire
editThis is the iconic central tower that rises above the palace in the front. The tower is an extension of the Hindu temple beneath it.[10]
Garuda
editThe Garuda outside Narayan Mandir in the palace premises is thought to be fromLicchavi Periodof Nepal.[12]
Interior
editThe Palace stands on the floor space of 3,794 m2(40838.28 sq ft) and is divided into three parts, the guest wing, the state wing and the private wing. Narayanhiti Palace has 52 rooms called sadan and are named after75 Districts of Nepal.Interior of the palace is based onLate Victorian style.[13]
Reception Hall
editReception Hall of Narayanhiti palace is named afterKaski Districtas Kaski Sadan. The hall is decorated with two full size taxidermyBengal tigerin charging posture hunted by KingMahendraand KingBirendraalong with life-size portraits of the Shah Monarchs throughout the stairs by artist Amar Chitrakar. Gaurishankar Gate opens to Kaski Sadan and it is in Kaski Sadan where Shah Monarchs of Nepal gave audience to politicians and performoathceremony ofPrime Ministerand heads of constitutional bodies forKingdom of Nepal.[citation needed]
Throne room
editThe throne room Gorkha Baithak is the center of the palace. It is right above Kaski Baithak. Construction of Gorkha Baithak is based onHindu templearchitect style with a 48 feetChandelierhanging on a 60 feet highPagoda styleceiling standing on four concrete columns representingNāgaand decorated with Hindu guardian demigods theAstha MatrikasandAshta Bhairava.It is under this high ceiling that the Throne of theKingdom of Nepalwas placed. It is the room where the monarch, on special occasions, issued royalRoyal Proclamations.[2]To the right of the Gorkha Baithak is Dolpa Sadan, used as the room from where people (including members of the royal family) could secretly view the proceedings of the Gorkha Baithak through aone-way viewing mirror.[citation needed]
Court ceremonies
editDhanusha Baithak[clarification needed]of the Narayanhiti durbar was where the king used to award decorations. It was used for tika anddarshan[clarification needed]duringDashainby the royal family and for high level government and military officials.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcd"Crown and scepter put on display at Narayanhiti Museum (in photos)".kathmandupost.Retrieved30 December2019.
- ^abcdefghijJBR, PurushottamShamsher (2007).Ranakalin Pramukh Atihasik Darbarharu[Chief Historical Palaces of the Rana Era] (in Nepali). Vidarthi Pustak Bhandar.ISBN978-9994611027.Retrieved1 January2015.
- ^"Narayanhiti Palace Museum (Kathmandu) – 2019 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)".TripAdvisor.Retrieved6 May2019.
- ^"A peek inside the palace of Nepal's last monarchy".The Guardian.27 May 2009.Retrieved6 May2019– via theguardian.
- ^Douglas, Ed (27 May 2009)."Nepal's royal palace opens to the public".Retrieved6 May2019– via theguardian.
- ^Death of Dharmadevby T.R. Vaidya, Contributions to Nepali Studies, Volume 8, Number 2, June 1981 (pp. 35-42), retrieved 6 December 2020
- ^JBR, PurushottamShamsher (1990).Shree Teen Haruko Tathya Britanta(in Nepali). Bhotahity, Kathmandu: Vidarthi Pustak Bhandar.ISBN99933-39-91-1.
- ^"The Architecture of Power: Some insights into the Narayanhiti Palace Museum".8 March 2014.Retrieved12 October2015.
- ^abMark Tushnet; Madhav Khosla (21 August 2015).Unstable Constitutionalism: Law and Politics in South Asia.Cambridge University Press. pp. 74–.ISBN978-1-316-41908-3.
- ^abPolk, Benjamin (1993).Building for South Asia: An Architectural Autobiography.Abhinav Publications.ISBN978-81-7017-300-7.
- ^"Bodyguards fired over Nepal royal massacre".Irish Times.3 July 2001.Archivedfrom the original on 25 April 2020.Retrieved19 November2019.
- ^Pal, Pratapaditya (1974).Handbuch der Orientalistik: Kunst und Archäologie. 7 Abt.Brill Archive.ISBN978-90-04-03776-2.
- ^"General information about killing Narayanhiti Palace Museum".24 April 2012.Retrieved12 October2015.